The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-17

can be purchased in the Southwest at the
government minimum, We have an estab-
lished scale which must regulate The value
of lands throughout the cotton region -
Improved lands will only sell for as much
more as the improvements are valued al
aside from the land. If this rule is seen to
be occasionally violated. it will be found
TO depend on some peculiarly Of local con-
dition, or upon private circumstances sur
rounding the individual purchaser. The re-
suit is, that our lands may be now rated al
their lowest possible depreciation. On the
other hand, the probabilities are that, fol-
lowing the enactment proposed, healthy
white immigration would soon commence,
which would appreciate the price of lands,
from the fact that the very cause which
would then induce this kind Of immi.
grafton, exists nowhere in the southwest,
nor elsewhere on the Continent, with the
same attractive condition OF climate, soil,
and natural resources. Even admitting, for
The sake Of the argument, that q deprecia.
ion would ensne, that OF itself would be
an inducement to a more immediate immi-
grafton, which would soon restore prices.
Some have asked whether the proposed
restriction would not be an Infringement OF
our obligations under the federal constitu-
cion? This is already res judicata. The
whole sub ject came under review by the
Supreme Court Of the United States in the
case of Groves ct al. VS.. Slaughter, report
ed in 18th Peters, p. 449, and the able
opinion there delivered has settled the CUES.
Ii in favor of the right and power Of the
States.
But, ii may be inquired, why put restric-
tons upon the growth Of an institution
which has received the high praise Of being
conservative? For, although it be less pro-
ductive than other species of labor, is it not
also less dangerous! That it is conserva-
tive, to g limited extent, will not under
take to deny; but beyond this limit, as this
whole Argument proves, it must be disor
ganising from its very impoverishing tenden-
cy. have also sincere doubts whether this
phase of the question Of social conserva-
tiSm has or ever will have any real merits
in this country, whatever its importance in
older and more populous ones. 1t is sup
posed that our slaves, representing as they
do, the laboring class of other countries, are
so absolutely controlled as to remove any
fears oftae untutored radicalism which seems
to threaten the peace Of those communities.
II such an argument be good at all, it
would, as consectary, lead 10 the social
enslavement, or the extinction, Of every
free laboring population, so rs TO insure
the conservation Of order, and prevent the
much feared peril Of a conflict between la
Dor and capital. But the fear Of such a
conflict with US, however distant, is, in my
opinion, the result OF want Of proper per-
ception Of the improving spirit and political
economy Of the age. We have yet to ac-
quire the population 10 be feared, and it
may safely be assumed that the great pow
ery leading to ttIo debasemcnt Of any class
has been well attributed TO unequal and un.
just laws, resulting from partial and igno-
rant legislation. There is enough in the
world to supply every mouth, and this can
be easily done with little more attention
to the equity Of distribution.
Born and reared at the South. feel that
owe her my first duty and my bes
thoughts. This has induced me TO venture
unaided, upon task from which stronger
hands have shrunk. What have attempt
ed has been with pure devotion to the in
terests and prosperity Of country blessed
beyond all others in her natural condition
but the development Of whose resource
are so far behind the civilization Of tn
world as makes her seem to lack tn
Genius to Humanity. With the highes
consideration,
| am your excellency's
Obedient servant,
S. HEYDEsFELDT.