State v Mann Case Reaction

During the Mock Trial of the case of State v Mann I heard from the voices of members who believed that Mann should not receive a fine for his damages to the slave Lydia Some of the more notable arguments that I heard was from a slave point of view and the biblical side of this case. 

John Mann

One of the arguments was about how slavery was good for the African population. The speaker believed that Africans could not survive on this land on their own without help. They said that slave owners provided food, shelter, and warm clothes for them. The simple exchange for these goods is the slaves doing work for their masters. It was a unique take on a pro slavery argument however I believe that it doesn’t hold any place. This is because the case is about why Mann shouldn’t receive a fine. This argument more focuses on the reason why slavery should continue in the U.S. rather than the trial itself. 

The second argument, and the stronger argument in my opinion, was about the bible and how it condoned slavery. During his argument the speaker looked at specific verses in the bible that said slavery is not only ok, but mistreating slaves is also ok. He specifically states Exodus 21:20-21. Which

Bible

says that any form of punishment for a slave is ok if they don’t die. It was a very interesting take and the argument itself has a much better chance of holding in this case as it doesn’t take personal feelings into account and how it specifically mentions the treatment of slaves rather than the wellbeing of them. 

Overall, there were some great arguments on both sides during the trial. Personally, if I were the Judge I would rule in favor of Mann due to the superior arguments and facts of that side.