Project: To Enslave or Not to Enslave?

In light of our conversation about Whitman being anti-abolitionist while still trying to explore the experience of the runaway slave, I want to rethink my blog, The Stupor Passes, based on a Specimen Days entry addressing the First Battle of Bull Run during the Civil War. I made the statement

maybe [Whitman's] state was a common one for an American of the times.. One that was confused and torn between sides, and the issues with slavery: in theory supporting the abolition of it, but patriotically supporting its continuance because of America's history and commonality of slavery.

This makes me wonder the answer to this eluded question: did the common American of the times feel torn between abolition and pro-slavery? Was it a state of confusion? To try and answer this question, I will attempt to research the works, speeches, and literature of prominent literary figures of the times. I will then create a Cento, or a poem/compilation of lines from these figures and advocates that will try to provide the multiple or common views held on this issue. A bonus with this project would be finding out the African American or non-white perspective on White abolitionists. How did they interact? Did they try to work together? Or was there a disconnect similar to the one expressed in our class the other day by the student who felt Whitman had no right to take on the voice of the runaway slave? I will also try very hard to keep my opinions from entering my poem because I really want to understand the perspective of Whitman's time.