The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-11-02
HOW DOES THE SLAVE LABOR OF THE
SOUTH AFFECT THE FREE LABOR OF
THE NORTH2
BY JOHN B. JONES.


HOW DOES THE SLAVE LABOR OF THE
SOUTH AFFECT THE FREE LABOR OF
THE NORTH'
Having shown the Abolition fanatcs-the
self-styed phianhropists-tha there was an
ample field on which to exercise real benevo-
lence--if, indeed, they have any-at home,
among the poor and suffering class of their own
color, we will now speak, in political point of
view, of the necessity Of the non-interierence
of one section of the Union with the domestic
arrangements Of another.
II cannot be denied or concealed that there is
a set of men in the country who are always at
tempting to create spirit of dissatisfaction
among the inhabitants of the different States,
and who seem to be bent upon the accomplish
ment of the greatest possible mischief. One
of the most fruitful themes on which they dwell,
is that which stands at the head of this article.
They are aware that the Constitution was de-
signed to put at rest all disputes upon the sub
iect of taxation and representation by settling
il on the basis Of what was considered fair
compromise; and knowing this, they seek 10
sail the whole structure, and thereby to break
up the Union, by instilling unfounded and un-
reasonable prejudices in the minds of the
People.
MIR. Adams is the acknowledged leader in
this work of contemplated destruction; he raves
most loudly at the representation of three-fths
of the labor of the South, while the whole labor
of the North, without abatement, is represented.
He talks at one moment of properly being re-
presented at The South, and in the next he deli
vers an episode on the rights of man, and ele-
Yates the blacks to an equality with the whites.
He would not abolish slavery in the District of
Columbia, because he would not break the com
pact between the States and yet he does every
thing in his power to undermine that compact
by enlisting host of prejudices against it.
But, as we have said the most fruitful theme
Of invective is TO be found in the injurious effect
which is ascribed TO the competition between
the free labor of the North and the slave labor
of the South. Now we cannot understand how
this competition exists. The two classes Of
labor are directed TO objects entirely different;
and instead Of coming in competition, they
come in direct aid Of each other. The North
cannot raise sugar, cotton, rice, or, to any great
extent, tobacco; these articles require for their
production fervd and glowing sun, which is
given to the South and denied to the North, and
in their production there can exist no rivalry or
competition. The North is chiefly dependant
on manufactures and their carrying trade an1
while the culture of the soil continues to be pro-
ftable, we fancy the slave-holding States can
have no inducement TO enter into competition
with the North. No farmer would think of
building ships, or manning them with his ne
groes to navigate distant regions of the earth
and thus an absolute monopoly is given TO the
free States, as they are called, in the most ex-
.tensive carrying trade that any other People,
save those Of Great Britain, ever possessed.
The whole country South, as well as North, has
come up 10 the task Of protecting this great mo
nopoly determinations almost endless in their
character, exist in favor of American shipping,
which operate exclusively to the advantage Of
the North II is almost impossible TO estimate
the value of this great source of wealth to the
North When Holland possessed but 1.-THE Of
it in magnitude, she was the most powerful ma
ton in the world. England has attained her
formidable position by means Of her shipping
interest-and the carrying trade Of the North
has enriched sler soil, and caused smiling
villages TO spring up all over The face of the land
Where shall we go to shake hands with the mil
lionaries-where, but to the cities of the North
he labor Of the South produces alment for
the labor of the North; the very food on which
it feeds, and the source Of its prosperity and
power. Let permanent blight pass over the
fields of the South, and the North would feel it
in every department OF her industry. The la
Dor of the South in conflict with the labor of the
North The idea is perfectly ridiculous. No
there is no conflict, no rivalry. The South
raises the material which the North either ex-
ports in the raw state, or manufactures for the
supply Of all nations Thus the interests of
both are advanced and those fanatics who
would attempt to raise up enmites between
them are traitors in disguise. The Union is
necessary to both; ard instead of encouraging
feuds and drawing geographical lines between
them, the highest duty of the patriot is to cause
them to look only TO the glory of their great
country, and to the perpetuity Of the most noble
Republic the world has ever known.
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