Kidwell Blog Against Fair Trade Town is like Critique of Abolition

[Excerpt taken from the archives of the “Mississippi Patch,” 1854. Written by Col. Phineas J. Callous, purported to be an ancestor of Scott H. Kidwell (unconfirmed).]

Abolitionist Folly to be Taken Up by the Biloxi City Council
—by Phineas J. Callous

“Under the public radar and with all the odor of our town’s municipal garbage heap, the Biloxi City Council (Miss.) will entertain a motion this Friday to outlaw slavery in our city.

This proposal is troubling. In my view, the use of city resources to outlaw slavery amounts to a de facto use of public policy to punish businesses that choose to make use of slave labor. This would be a political agenda supported by public resources—the private parties which are pushing to outlaw slavery in our fair city would seek to push their narrowly circumscribed views of morality on the rest of us!

In addition, the ideals expressed in the abolitionists’ published lithographs are clearly religiously based. Their anti-slavery agenda quotes Judeo-Christian scripture in its appeal for the emancipation of legally purchased servants. This measure would seek to codify public policy according to one narrow interpretation of justice, based on the extremist fringe belief that slavery is immoral!

Have you considered the possibility that this abolitionist tomfoolery might discourage slave-holding business owners from setting up shop in Biloxi? Has anyone thought about how this misguided proposition would harm the practice of free enterprise in our fair town? Without the sweat and labor of our faithful chattel, how will we ensure sustained economic growth?

And what is to become of those of us who do not form a part of this “abolitionist clique”? Will we be forced to adhere to their anti-business belief in the abolition of slavery? Indeed, it is obvious what the activists’ agenda is: to corral an increasing number of cities into their anti-slavery agenda, eventually forcing the federal government to attack the freedom and rights of all slave owners. These thugs seek to cripple the freedom of God-fearing Americans to buy and sell slaves!

Instead of attempting to coerce our government through the emotional appeals of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s sensationalistic novel and the like, the proponents should instead attempt to convince individual businesses and private parties to join them in not owning slaves. This should be an individual and private choice of each individual. Some may choose to join these freedom-haters in opposing slavery, but this must be done without curtailing the freedom of slaveholders to make use of the human beings they bought fair and square.

We will not allow abolitionist agenda politics to trump the freedom of Americans to buy and sell slaves! For the government to interfere in this matter, in any way, would be an attack on the limited government and freedom of choice that make this country great.”

* * * *

This parody is a response to the misguided opinions of Scott H. Kidwell, expressed in his virulent, adamant opposition to Fair Trade. I wish this article were more parody than tragedy, but it’s not far off from the truth—even in the 21^st century.

With all the exploitation, poverty, marginalization, union-busting, thug intimidation, debt slavery (and sometimes literal slavery) involved in the international coffee, banana, cocoa, textile trade and other industries, we have no choice but to seek a more just way to do business. Fair Trade isn’t just an individual preference or lifestyle choice—it’s the very least we could do.  

Editor’s note: This blog post was submitted before City Council action to reject a resolution designating La Mesa as a “Fair Trade Town.”