How Does Seward Support The Free-Labor System

Senator William Seward supported the free-labor system by arguing against the slave system and by pointing out all of the problems in the slave system. In fact, he seemed to support the idea of a nation without slaves. For example, he stated that “the slave system is one of constant danger, distrust, suspicion, and watchfulness.” (Pg. 70) He argued that the free-labor system allowed for people to become equally educated and opened “the fields of industrial employment, and all the departments of authority, to the unchecked and equal rivalry of all classes of men.” (Pg. 70) Moreover, he believed that the free-labor system conforms to “the divine law of equality which is written in the hearts and consciences of men, and therefore is always and everywhere beneficent and altruistic.”
He believed that a free-labor system was morally just and would “secure universal contentment” and create a society of the highest possible activity all the physical, moral, and social energies of the whole state.” (Pg. 71) He argued
should either be a nation entirely with the free-labor system or a nation entirely with the slave system. He argued that one system had to prevail over the other. This is also how the Republicans knew the country had to be in order to function. Moreover, the Republicans also wanted to end slavery and become a slavery free nation. This statement can be supported because “the Slave Power was a symbol of many undesirable features of American life.” (Pg. 75) In addition, the Republicans were less concerned about slavery than the Slave Power, and that it was white planters and not black slaves whom they hated, and that it was the growing threat to white liberties, not black, that they feared the most.” (Pg. 75) The Republican Party strongly supported the idea of “free labor and the need to protect its associated social values of mobility, economic opportunity and individual liberty.” (Pg.