I started playing Bioshock Infinite, and early in the game, I picked up an audio recording of Father Comstock declaring Lincoln an 'idiot' for emancipating the slaves, saying he was emancipating them from food, clothing, shelter, and 'good honest hard work'. He said that the slave owners were sponsors of the negro man, and now what will they do without them?
So what I'm asking is did the slave owners subscribe to this philosophy or did they have a different opinion of the Great Emancipator?
Slave owners and other defenders of the institution generally argued that slavery was good for the slaves. Both in the material sense, and as a "Christian" influence. The Confederate Vice President Stephens' "Cornerstone Speech" is an easy example. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerstone_Speech
By the time of the civil war, that paternalistic idea of slavery was mixed with a lot of fear of a violent slave revolt.
I can quote some textbooks when I get home tonight. Or wait for a flaired user.