There was a debate today discussing the court case of State v. Mann, where a white man rented a slave and shot her. He was taken to court because the slave was someone else's property. This case was basically between two groups, one for and one against slavery. Both sides made good points discussing religious and economic factors. 

The side that was against slavery said how many slaves were shipped over from Africa unwillingly and how we are involved in race-based slavery, both of which are condemned by God. They also said that the slave was someone else's property, so he had no right to shoot her because he would bring her back to her owner not able to work as well. The most interesting argument was that because of the Three Fifths Compromise, a slave is three fifths of a person, and therefore has more rights than an animal. There are several laws against cruelty to animals, so therefore, there should be at least equal laws for slaves.

The side that was for slavery said that slaves are not full people and do not deserve the same rights, and that the Three Fifths Compromise was made for political reasons, not to state what rights a slave may have. They also stated that the Bible directly condones slavery, and it fulfills bible’s definition of the slave because they get housing, food, and friendship. The group also stated that slavery is necessary for economic success in the south. In respect to the case of State v. Mann, when Mann was given the slave, all rights involving the slave were transferred to him, so he had the right to shoot her because she was his property at the time. Another point that was made is that if a slave owner damages a slave, the harm is to the owner for not having someone to work, so there is no need for more punishment.

The side that was pro slavery seemed to have a better argument because they had more economic arguments and they were ready for the arguments the other group made and had counter-statements. The debate was very close, but the pro slavery group ended up winning for these reasons.