Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-03-03
! The subiec, Of sou,he rn slavery has been

hO oup1OStOb StoSOty Aoo oSSa
of late yeats fruitful theme for declama-
ton in which wild and extravaeant asser-
tons, high-sounding periods and rhetorical
hourishes have abounded. This declama-
ton. though it may deceive and mislcad
minimizing persons, when facts, dry and
stubborn facts, are brought to bear agains,
it, melts into the air, as the mists of the
morning disappear beneath the rays of the
cloud-dispersng sun. Some ofthese facts,
in this article We propose to adduce, premI-
sing that we are no apologist of this species
of slavery, and that our detestation Of il is
warm as is that of many who make Far more
uoise OIL the subject than do we.
We can scarcely look into an abolition
paper without seeing charge upon charge
brought against our government for its pat
ronage of the system of slavery; without
noticing expressions of abuse if it such as
no gentlemen would feel himself warranted
in using towards horse thief even, much
less of the government under which he ex-
is.ed, lei us see if the course of the fed
eral government in reference 10 this matter
has been such as to merit these charges and
this abuse.
! BY section nine Of the constitution Of
the United States, Congress was prohibited
from forbiddng the importation Of slaves
until the year 1898, and consequently they
could take no steps towards prohibiting this
importation until that time had arrived; but
this section did not prevent their passing
laws forbidding citizens or residents of the
United States from carrying on or engaging
in trade in slaves from one foreign country
to another; and as early as the year l794 we
find Congress, deploring the evils of slavery
doing all it could for its suppression by pro-
hibting under very heavy penalties this
foreign trade. When the time arrived
when the prohibition of importation could
be affected, do we find them evincing any
desire to foster AMI patronize this trade p
On the contrary we see them as early as
March, 1907, enactng law. with very
heavy penalties, for its violation, declaring
the importation Of slaves after the first of
January 1908, illegal. No time was lost
in this matter; no desire TO encourage this
system evinccd O,her laws enacted by
this same body at differen, times, forbad cit
liens to hold any right in, or serve on board
of any foreign ship engaged in this trade;
authorized United States vessels to capture
slave ships; provided for re-exporting cap
turing slaves 10 Africa; and by many other
wise PROVISIONS discouraged the traffic
When Florida was coded by Spain to The
United States, immediate provision for pre-
venting the importation Of slaves into that
territory, was made, as was also the case
when other acquisitions of territory were
made.
In the year 1890 the slave trade was de-
clared piracy; and in many other instances
which it would he tedious to relate here has
the federal government discouraged slavery,
The Almighty was six days in framing the
world: Rome was not built in day; nei-
Their can the slave trade be abolished in a
day. But so far as could with safety be
done, do we contend that congress has gone
in this matter. The wise trainers Of our
constitution found it necessary TO recognize
the right of property in slaves. The causes
which prompted them 10 recognize il, do TO
some extent still exist but are constantly
! lessening & we look for the time, g. that too
before long, when this recognition will no Ion
ger be made; when the heart Of the captive
shall be made glad, and we shall oil be free
together. This glorious day will come and
that too in spite of the efforts of the aboli-
iionisis.
1t is said that the system Of slavery is
Strengthening and extending itself. This
we deny, and not content with the simple
denial, we will proceed 10 prove what we
assert.
In the year 1890, when the first census
of The United States was taken, there were
in the states 3,929,OoO people of whom
697 900 were slaves In the year 1900
the population was 5,3O5, 900, of which
number $4,000 we're slaves. In 1910 il
was Z ,239,O00 of which l,l91 900 were
slaves. In 1920 il was 9,S3s 900, Of which
1854, 900 were slaves. In 1880 it was
l2,s6j,OOO, of which 2,O07, 900 were
slaves. In 1910 it was II, O69, 600 OF which
2,4s5, 900 were slaves. Now, in Is i6, the
population of the United States is probably
90, COO, 900, of which number, certainly not
more than 2 $500, 900 are slaves. Now lie,
us take the above statistical returns, leav-
ing out those for ls45, as they OF course are
merely estimated, and see whether slavery
has strengthened and extended ITSELF |,
will be seen that in 1870, the proportion Of
the slaves to the feemen was as TO Al,
and that the gain Of the numbers of the
slaves in the ten years from 1850 10 800