Failure of Free Societies [pp. 129-141]

S.. ---- - N L I atY ESSEN Ei-)
PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM-JNO. R. THOMPSON, EDITOR.
MARCH, 1855.
FAILURE OF FREE SOCIETIES,*
Mr. Fitzhugh is a singularly bold and adventurous thinker. In the midst of the denunciations of slavery fulminated from nearly all parts of the civilized world he replies
to its clamorous and fanatical assailants by
alleging the utter failure of the antagonistic
system which they have adopted, and regarded as alone expedient, right and immaculate. In the midst of the constant repetition of apologetic excuses offered by writers
in the Southern States on behalf of the institution, he abandons the common line of defence,
acts vigorously on the offensive, and, as he
himself says, carries the war into Africa.
This great change of strategy would alone
render the treatise of "Sociology for the
South" which he has recently presented to
the public sufficiently remarkable, even if
the subject were one of less interest, and his
argument less able and striking than it is.
The book is in all respects both curious and
interesting: it overflows with thought, and
is full of startling doctrines and novel tenets.
It attacks the generally received opinions on
nearly all topics connected with political
science, and broaches almost as many heresies as it exposes errors. Fortunately its
aberrations are principally confined to the
mode of statement, and to subordinate details, while the new truths which it advances,
though too broadly and incautiously asserted,
are in the main as correct as they are sagacious.
It is very satisfactory to find that the justification of the South is no longer limited to
excuses, expediencies, dialectics, rhetoric,
verbal quibbles and vain recriminations, but
"Sociology for tlhe Sotth: or the Failure of Free Society. By George Fitzhugh. Richlnonid, Va. A. MorrIis Publisher. 1854. 1 vol. 12 mnio.
Ilistoire de la Classe Oiuvo)ire, depuis l'. IEsclave jnsqu'au
Prol6taire de nos jours Par Robert (du Var) Ex redaeteur en chef de la D6mocratie. Paris. chez Michel,
Editeur. 1850. 4 vols. 8vo.
VoL. XXI.-17.
is at length planted on the firm basis of philosophical reasoning, historical testimony,
and social experience. The discussion of
the question is thus removed from the domain of sectional controversy and political
warfare, and transferred to the more temperate and authoritative tribunal of sober and
cautious reflection. We would not intiniate
that no recourse has been had hitherto to
philosophy, history and experience, but they
have never before been as prominently, and
we might add, as skilfully employed in
establishing the abstract justice and inherent propriety of Southern slavery. Even
in the argument of Mr. Fitzhugh the manner of their employment is not altogether
free from objection. There is a want of fulness, of precision, and of moderation, which
is constantly felt, and which continually occasions imperfection, inadequacy or extravagance in the results. Any candid mind,
however, will cheerfullypardon these defects
in the first brief, hasty outline of a new theory, and will correct for itself the blemishes
which it discovers, and which do not seriously impair the tenor of the argument,
which is sometimes strained, sometimes relaxed, and often overlaid in the course of its
present evolution. WVith the same spirit of
genial appreciation, a mind, sincerely anxious to discover the truth, will make all proper allowances for the exuberance of the
unnecessary speculation combined with the
discussion of the main thesis, for the frequent disquisitions and want of perspicuous
unity of procedure, which are as apt to confound the hasty reader as they are to betray
the hasty writer. If the'Sociology for the
South' is studied in this truth-loving and
truth-seeking spirit, it will be found full of
valuable suggestions, and if it does not in
all cases communicate the great truths by
which it is inspired, it will lead readily to
their discovery and recognition.
The position maintained, the doctrines expounded, and the conclusions established
-.- - ra 1. -. - -
- I 41 -1..
NO. 3.
VOL. XXI.
RICHMOND,