Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1844-07-25

on the prosperity of the Nor'h, even IN
sections of country where both the soil
and the climate are less favorable TO: sg-
ricultural pursuits than their own--and
they have turned their eyes with regret
10 the exhausted acres of their own once
cultivated and productive fields, which
under the blight of slave labor, have now
fallen back into a wilderness. Not indeed
the wilderness of olden times, which
,eemed with the lnxurence of nature but
one without fertility aud without hope
Now these facts, we think, must be al
lowed TO be stronger than argument 10 ia
vor Of emancipation. And with these
before us, we are at loss 10 conceive
how an intelligent and rejecting community
can hesitate at all upon this subject. IL
NAV be true, that the difference Of cir
cumstances has rendered il necessary that
the citizens ofthe North should moro gen
orally apply themselves to labor than in
the case at the South. But this every
industry has contributed to their comfort,
hrs given energy and success TO enter
prize, and as friendly to a state of pure
morality. Permit us TO ask what is the
influence which slavery exhibits upon the
state of morals at the South /? We feel
that it may be delicate inquiry to make
but the subject is very important one;
we put the question, and leave it to each
to answer to his own heart.
Lest it should be thought that the pre-
ceding contrast is more highly colofed
than facts would warrant, we avail our
selves ofthe concurrent testimony OF dis,
tingnished Senator at the South. one who
cnnot be suspected of being under the in
fuence of improper bias in favor OF the
North.
"No Southern man can journey (as |
have donel through the Northern States,
and witness the prosperity, the industry,
the public spirit which they exhibit, the
seduIous cultivation of all these arts by
which life is made comfortable and res
pectable, without feelings of deep sadness
and shame as he remembers his own neg
Iected and desolate home. There, no
dwelling is to be seen abandoned, no farm
uncultivated, no man idle, no waterfall
even unemployed. Every person AID
every thing performs part towards the
grand result, and The whole land is cover
ed with fertile fields, with manufactures,
and canals, and railroads, and public ed.
fees, aud towns and cities. How diff
ferent the state of things in the South =
Here the face of the country weare tho
aspect of premature old age and decay.
No Improvement is seen gong on, nothing
is done for posteri:y, no man thinks OF
any thing beyond the present moment.
Our lands are yearly tasked to their ut
most capacity of production, ard when
exhausted, are abandoned for the youth
full West. Because nature has been
prodigal to us, we seem to think il unne-
cessary to do any thing for ourselves
The industry and skill that have converted
Indictment and baron hills of New England
into garden, IN the genial climate and
fertile soil of the South would create al
most a paradise. Our natural advanta-
ges are among the creates, with which
Providence has blessed mankind, but We
lack the spirit to enjoy and improve them.
The rich ore is beneath our feet, yet we
dig no, for it. Tho golden fruits hang
from the bough, and we lift not orr hands
10 gather it,"
Seeing then that duty and interest unite
in urging the measure of emancipation,
what is there that ought to retard its pro-
gress? Does the sacrifice of property
involved, present an obstacle ? In the
British West India Islands, where the ex-
pertinent has been tried, The rise in tho
value Of real estate, consequently upon
emancipation, was nearly. and in many
instances, quite equal to the value of the
slaves, which previously belong to the es-
ate.
Is the cost of wages to be paid for free
abor regarded as an objection -
There it has been found less expensive
o pay wages to the free than to maintain
he slave.
Is itapprehepded ,hatlh liberated slaves
would indulge in idleness, and that it
would be difficult to procure the amount
f labor that would be needed There it
las been found that the laborers were
willing to work for reasonable wages. and
he net proceeds of the estate have proved
anger than before:
Concluded neri neck.
A plowman in England lately became
deeply enamored of milkmaid on a