What was an argument used to try to justify slavery?

To justify slavery, many argued that removing slaves would cut off the supply of Southern cotton and reduce the demand for ships and shipyards. Many citizens were also worried that the freed slaves would "take" available and unavailable jobs. They even argued slavery was essential to keep the economy stable. This argument was supported by the fact that numerous businesses back then employed only slaves and the removal of the slaves would cause many big business men and owners to go out of business.

a phrase from a poem by ralph waldo emerson about the battle of lexington and concord. emerson's words read, “here once the embattled farmers stood / and fired the shot heard round the world.”