Did scalawags argue that slavery was necessary for the economy?

Scalawags, who were Southern whites that supported Reconstruction and the Republican Party after the Civil War, generally did not argue that slavery was necessary for the economy. Instead, they often sought to promote economic development and integration with the Northern states, advocating for policies that would benefit the South's economy in a post-slavery context. Many scalawags were more focused on progressive reforms and rebuilding the South rather than defending the institution of slavery.