The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-07-31

The owner of large manufacturing estab-
lishment Of Richmond, Va, employed quite a
number of slaves, with white laborers, to carry
on his business. These white laborers refused,
not long ago, TO work with the slaves. In what
temper they did this, we do not know. But be-
lieying that such conjunction was injurious 10
them socially, and derogatory to their characters
as freemen, they resisted it.
The proprietor, Mr. Anderson, refused 10
make any terms with them. He declared his
right 10 employ whom he pleased The press
sustained him. In addition, the law was called
in, and the white laborers prosecuted, though
for the life Of us, We cannot see what illegal
step they had taken. If Mr. Anderson had the
right to say he rouid work slaves, these white
laborers had the right TO say that they would
not work nith them, or for them. But the legal
remedy had its effect. The whites submitted.
This is hard case, viewed in any light, it is
oppressive upon the white laborer We cannot
shut eyes TO the fact, that slaves occupy the
lowest position and We ought not, by any action,
TO sink the white man, in his own, or our esiima-
ton to their level Elevate, but never depress.
Looking AT the facts as they are, We say I'M
hesitatngly, that a social oppression like this,
should not be practised upon any class, or tolcr-
ated by any community Bring the question
home. Let planters put their sons into a manu-
featuring establishment, let the owner of it lord
over them, and, contrary TO theirs and their
fathers wish. force them into constant fellow
ship with slaves, let that fellowship be followed
up. as it would be, by ranking spite, and harsh
| words--and where is the man among them that
would not brand this act as of the blacklist tr-
rany, and ress, it as the most insulting despot-
! ISM As these shareholders would feel under
this supposed wrong to kth and kim so felt the
white laborers of Richmond under its real in
| fiiction
The spirit of Kentucky is different. Planters
will make no such exactons upon white labor
ers, and white laborers would not submit to
them if they did. The disposition here is to en-
courage free labor. Why, in Louisville many of
our merchants, manufacturers, and ar,izans,
make il point not TO employ slave abor: and
leases of land are drawn up expressly forhiddnp
it. The policy is, to do every thing that can be
done TO elevate the free-worker-to improve
his oPPortunities-to give him a chance 10 do
and be man. Years ago, when Judge Bullock
represented US in the Legislature. and when Lou
| isville was tainted by one. Mr.. CaIhoon, whom
We are sure entertains other views now,) as be-
| ing the fosterer of the working white man. elo.
quenty replied:
| That he had no cause to blush for his constit-
| usncy. nat II was true he represented on that
/ floor laboring men. men, too, that had been born
/ in other climes-that Ireland, Germany, Hol-
land, France and Italy, had all contributed to
make up one population; but that he did not
regret IT. lie reJoiced that they had sought an
asylum in the 1 nited States and found "A home
in Kentucky. He could bear testimony to the
fact that they were generally honest, enterprz-
ing. industrious, and useful citizens. He repel-
LED the IDEA that they were mean, dependen
and servile; but said that many of them, by
means Of honest industry, had become useful
and highly respectable members of society. and
such as he was proud TO represent upon that
| floor. Ii is, Mr.. Bullock, the object of the
gentleman and such seems TO be the drift of his
policy To drive out this meritorous class of our
population, TO make room for the debased. de-
graded and refuse slaves of the South IL the
| alternative were presented, he would not hes
itate as to his course. IL the question were
necessarily presented whether we should dis
pense with the FREE WHITE LABOR of the coun-
| try or submit to an iaundation Of negro slarery
he could not hesitate TO his choice The one
contributes 10 our nealh and respectabiiity; the
other mould be an incubus upon the country, and
a prey upon ats resources.
few presses at the North. regarding this
Richmond case by the way we have a letter
from Florida, just received, the subject, which
we shall publish in our next as expressing the
views of the South, urge "mechanics TO settle
| in no Southern cities We advise them TO
come TO Louisville. We suffer here, unques-
tionably, from some Of the evils Of slavery
We would neither conceal the fact, nor under
value it. But the laboring man can escape these
evils wholly, and help us to rid the city and the
State of their power. BY steadiness of pursuit,
by purity of life, he can secure as full a reward
and enjoy as much respect, as in any Northern
city. We are sure that his position, in many
respects, would be better. For our citizens, be-
ing conscious of the Ill effects of slavery upon
labor, and the consequent injury it does the city,
are prompt in rewarding well the toll of our
mechanics, and giving them the fullest credit for
all the virtues they possess. Let them come on.
They will always find Louisville warm heart
ed home.