The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-11-11

REPLY TO A. b. G.

In the last Examiner, we gave a number oil
statistical facts proving the assertion Of A. b.
c., in relation to the comparative rate Of wages
in the free and slave States.utterly erroneoussnd
uniounded. We might enlarge much on this
subject-and show what would be the necessary
consequences flowing from this main PROPOSE
ton Of A. h. c. provided II was true. Every
man possessing the slightest business knowl-
edge must see, that II labor, which Is the prin-
cipal element Of cost In most manufactured ar
ticles sis from go to 100 per cent. higher in
Kentucky than in Indiana" (the cost of living
being about the ssme) all foreign capital; which
would otherwise flow equally to the two States,
must of necessity go to Indiana for the simple
reason that the 30 to 100 per cent. lower wages
paid in Indiana, would be so much additional
profit to the capitalist. For example, if in the
manufacture of carriages and wagons, | can get
workmen for 81 per day in Madison, Ia, and
have to pay these same workmen 81 so per day
in Frankfort, Ky, | shall, of course, invest my
capital in Madison.
This illustration will hold good of every other
branch Of business, and would, apart from the
facts in the case, prove the entire falacy of the
argument of A. b. c. But this IS not the
worst aspect Of the case presented. Under the
stimulus Of large profits, the Indiana manufac-
turer would lower his prices. The Kentucki-
shift for themselves goes to Indiana to make
cheaper purchases. The kentucky mechanic
must then do one Of three Aiags-Temore from the
| State, LOWER HIS PRICES, OR srARvE. Perfect
| freedom Of exchange and inter. communication
between the States must equalise both wages
and profts--ths is @ fixed law of political econ
omy, from which there is no escape. If this
reasoning is correct, we may safeypredicate on
il this statement, to-wit: that if "wages are
from 30 to loo per cent higher in Kentucky,
than in the adjacent free States,' foreign CAPT.
tai seeking investment must go to the free States
in preference TO Kentucky, and capital at pre-
sent invested in manufactures in Kentucky,
must 90 also, or be lost. We respectfully ask
the advocates of perpetual slavery TO examine
this matter carefully.
We appeal directly TO you fellow-mechanics
who are employers--f you must according to
this able advocate Of perpetual slavery pay from
80 TO 100 per cent. more for labor than is paid
in the free States, can you compete with Gin.
cinnati, Madison and Pittsburgh Did you ever
know southern planter 40 entirely disinterest-
ed. as to give you knowingly from 80 to 100 per
cent. more for article than the same article
can be purchased for in Pittsburgh or Cincin-
natil Have We not, over aud over again, been
told that we must be prepared to come down to
Cincinnati and Pittsburgh prices or lose our
custom? And have we not doneit2 As kentueky
mechanics, shall not this now be our language,
free labor and no farOrs
! We appeal to you, fellow citizens, who are
Journeymen and laborers-isittruet that YOU are
now getting from 30 TO 100 per cent. more for
your labor than you can get for the same work
in the free States Must you not, and do you
not, in many parts of the State meet with the
competition of slave iabor-the wages Of which
is The Plainest food, and the coaIsesl clothing
What "i1rHries' DO you and your children en-
Joy by reason of slavery, that free labor could
not procure YOU "What social or political prir-
iieges and rights" would you lose by Just sys-
TEN of Emancipation
What are those generous JGrthens' which A.
b. c. informs US lie so heavy on the mechan-
ic aud labOrer in the free States
We ask you in all sincerity and candor to an
swer these questions TO yourselves, as your So
Dor Judgment shall dictate. We beg OF YOU to
throw aside all appeals to your prejudices and
passions, and so TO act and vote on this question
as you shall deem best cac lated TO advance the
permanent interests of our beloved State. For
one, we cannot doubt what those acts and that
vote will be.
Again-perpetual slavery as described by A.
B. c. Injuries the wholesale merchant, the retail
dealer, the trader and clerk, just as much as the
other classes mentioned. An active, industri-
Gus, intelligent, wealth producing population,
is, as Il general rule. the great essential condi-
tion Of mercantile prosperity In order that the
merchant and trader may sell his wares and
goods, there must be consumers, and these con-
sumers must have the ability TO purchase. Ac.
cording TO the argument of A. b c., and the
positive assertions of Mr. Johnson-slayery
drives away these intelligent, industrious,
thrifty consumers, and keeps them away; not
only so, but it erects ''an insuperable barrier"
to prevent others from coming TO ell their
places.
This then being the legitimate effect of slave
ry as asserted by its ablest defenders-who is 10
cultivate our fertile soil, who is 10 develope and
render useful our vast mineral trea.ures-who
are to Be our mechanics and manufacturers?-
What ia the instrument by which all the diver
sifed forms of human industry are to he rem
dered actively promotive Of human progress
and human hapPinessl
Fello9-citzens, there can be but one answer
TO these questions, il the Arguments of slavery
Perpetualists are correct: All these important
objects ARE to be effected and accomplished by
just such poor, thriftless, ignorant population
as slavery always has produced, and always
must produce.
Thewages of slavery never have developed, and
they never can develope the energies of people
Slavery cannot by possibility permit that intel
ligent, economical, and wealth producing popu-
lation which is SO necessary for the support Of
prosperous mercantile community. Mr. John
son tells us-"A negro nerer porks till compel
led '---"they Wilt tell you work has been their
adherence all the days of their Iife"-"tha,
was their only trouble That they are ga
horde of semi civilized savages' '-"savages that
bear upon their bodies the mark of eternal ha- |
tired to the white man." That "negroes should
do all the stealing in Kentucky"-"they are en-