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

position under the present aspect Of the re
lalions existing between the North and
South. humbly conceive that those rela
tons create still stronger reason why the
eyes OF the South should be opened TO the
truth upon the question of extending slave
| ny into the new territories. If there is any
thing which can unite the South in firm
and determined attitude to resist any depri'
WALTON Of her rights Of emigration and oc-
cupalion. it is the fact that she is already
over-supplied with laboring population
not sufficiently productive TO remunerate
her, and about the future fate Of which she
is compelled to entertain Just and reasona-
bic apprehensions.
Thus far the argument has been exclu-
siveIy on the ground Of sell-defence. pro-
pose now to consider it in its other aspects,
and to answer some OF the objections | have
1 met with.
insist that the unproductiveness OF
slave labor, and its gradual but certain i'm
poverishment Of our State, is a sufficient
reason for limitins is further propagation
iamoEg Us. Cotton and sugar are the ONLY
staples TO which slave labor is reasonably
fitted, and, as but small proportion Of the
slaves in the Union would soon fill up the
lands probably suited for the sugar culture,
We are driven to assume that the cultivation
Of cotton is the only thing which can afford
regular employment TO the great mass Of
this population. In our State, upon an
average calculation, cotton at its present
price will hardly pay the expense of pro-
ducing it. and it is only in the fertile val.
leys Of the Southwestern rivers that il can
be prO6tably raised; and there, even, at
low prices.
To these valleys the slave emigration of
the non-cotton producing States is rapidly
tending, and We are beset with the fear Of
over-production as well from that source as
from the natural propagation Of those now
among US. That the number Of cotton la
borers is constantly and rapidly increasing
here and in the best producing portion OF
the South, no one will contest, whilst, on
the other hand, we have no safe data upon
which we can calculate for the increase Of
consumption beyond the natural increase Of
the populations Of those countries which
consume it, 10 which may be added small
increased consumption usually attendant
upon the lowness Of price; all of which
Se may safely assert, cannot keep pace with
the present increasing production. This
acne, must finally depreciate the value OF
slaves among US until their transfer will be-
come a mere nominal consideration.
One Of the effects which the measure /
propose would have upon our State, would
be at once felt not only in cunailing the in
creasing supply Of cotton, but, in what is a
natural corollary, the employment OF capt
tai in other pursuits which never have been
less profitable than cotton planting, and
which, at the present prices Of cotton, are
so infinitely superior as to require no de-
tailed examination.
Il may be asked, whether the views here
presented are not sufficient to ilnpel our
planters into the various other enterprises
which are alluded to, by the considerations
Of their own interest, without the adoption
of a measure which al first blush NAV re.
volt our feelings by its exclusveness!
answer, no, The habit Of pursuit is a:
strong as any other kind Of 4 habit. Oul
people are accustomed to what they con
ceive an old and safe investment II they
make but little money directly by the pro
duction Of labor, or merely pay expenses
they nevertheless suppose that they make
reasonable profit by the natural increase o
their slaves; and do not reflect that, in
rational point Of view, if the workers ar
unproductive, so must be their issue,
}, Again, they know nothing about othe
pursuits, and as long as, with their surplu
cash, they can purchase slaves, this habit
amounting to a constitutional incidence
; will prevent their entering upon any inve;
tigation of other employments. To ths
investigation, and its consequent eApectan
; fruits, they can only be driven by an VI
e bending necessity. Our immense waite
( power-our coal, iron, lead, marble, graz
: tie, lumber, turpentine-our capacity
5 produce wool and silk and hemp-to bull
e railways, and to carry on commerce, ma
II all, in turn, be presented to their minds
e liveliest colors. and will produce but ba
v rem assent. The State Of Alabama is no
y poorer than she was fifteen years ago--no
l. withstanding that, within that period
e time, there has been expended within b
ir limits nearly ten millions Of foreign car
n tai, and for which heavy State debt
: now hanging over her people. at the san
l. time that her resources for taxation a
y every day diminishing; and while questit
OF fearful domestic import is agitaied
G. her destruction, her political strength
. yielding to the rOttenness of system viii
Sc must finally reduce it to a CIPHER. t
: statistics of population exhibit, that,
i. slaves increase. the white population {
40 crease. This seems to be a law OF poI
IN lation. With us, in the aggregate, it
M undeniabIe, that slaves continue to incfea
Sc and if this is permitted to progress, with {
q. consequent diminution Of white populate
nv the far future of the South presents P
~, ture, which, although now but use
h. through a glass darkly," is Of sufici,
ms gloom to arouse into action her best en-
40 gies, and prevent her from quiescently ira
he hitting to posterity problem, the solut
his of which seems so dreary task.
,as have been met with the objection, til
Irs as slaves form the principal feature in
hid system Of taxation, the increase Of that
70 source will be defeated, and taxes must
60. heavier upon other properly. | have