He is not a fool, and has already learned that it is more profitable to pay wages to his old slaves and have the power of dismissal, like any other employer, than be obliged, under the old system of enforced labor and life servitude, to undergo the cost of maintaining incompetence and idleness.

The old sentiment of slave-owning has disappeared before natural common-sense and selfishness.

I am satisfied that by some such process as this utilizing of the old master and the new freedom we will be better able to cultivate our lands than by buying up their estates, and setting the old owners adrift, with a little money in their pockets, as an idle, discontented class to revive old political dogmas, and foment new issues, or perhaps set up a dangerous opposition to us.
"You don't mean to say that those infernal niggers would give the preference to their old oppressors ?" "Dollar for dollar in wages--yes! And why shouldn't they?
Their old masters understand them better--and treat them generally better.

They know our interest in them is only an abstract sentiment, not a real liking.

We show it at every turn.