Cannibals all! or, Slaves without masters

A polemical essay written on the eve of the Civil War, this work confronts the contentious ideas of liberty and labor through the lens of a Southern planter. The author marshals statistics, historical anecdotes, and theological quotations to argue that unrestricted free‑market exploitation can be harsher than the domestic institution of slavery, positioning his case as a rigorous counter‑point to prevailing moral philosophies of the time.

Beyond the central defense of slavery, the text expands into a broader critique of emerging socialist ideas, warning that they threaten core institutions such as family, property, and religion. Its tone is both scholarly and impassioned, reflecting a fervent belief in state independence and regional strength. For listeners interested in the intellectual climate that preceded America’s greatest conflict, the book offers an unsettling glimpse into the arguments that shaped a nation’s division.