This argument was used by southern slave holders to argue their system treated people better than the north. That their workers were treated better because they

This argument was used by southern slave holders to argue their system treated people better than the north. That their workers were treated better because they were property while the north could cast people aside and replace them once they were done with them. Slavery is still slavery no matter how nice you arrange their conditions. Serfs are still serfs if they sit in bean bag chairs.