The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-17

! with set of works, power and machinery, capa-
bic Of making 1000 to 5000 hogsheads with the
same proportion of molasses annually, or during
the crop season This set Of sugar works would
take off and manu- fracture the produce OF from six
to ten estates; and at the same time give to none
land or water carriage according to the physical
and geographical characteristics OF the Colony
and the disposition of estates therein) OF more
than three miles beyond their own limits. BY
this system the capitalist owning the central man
ufactory might either purchase at a market price
the crop of his more needy neighbors and the
small cultivators, or manufacture at n certain per
centage of toll similar to the system pursued in
-four mills, the produce Of the surrounding coun-
try. The manufacturer would then study every
plan of economy in labor and machinery, and seek
at the same time every means of improving the
quality Of the staple commodity; while the agri-
culturist, whether white or black, on a large or
a small scale, would likewise pay every attention
to the cultivation OF the soil-neg Letting on no
account either artificial appliances, agricultural
implements of economy, or favorable opportuni-
ties for securing large and luxurious crop from
a fertile and fourshing estate. But not only in
financial and commercial sense would the sepa-
ration of agriculture from manufacture be profit
able and beneficial to all-the moral condition of
the newly emancipsted and consequently semi
barbarous race would be raised and improved, by
giving them a personal interest in the welfare of
property. Instead of being regarded, as they still
are laborers and serfs attached to estates, pos
sessing certain privileges upon certain conditions,
viz provision-grounds, house rent, medical at
tendance, &c, which can only be honestly and le-
gally enjoyed by performing daily task at a
stipulated remuneration, and which, if they alb
sent themselves from the field they have no right
to occupy, without deduction from their weekly
or monthly receipts-they would be perfectly in
dependent Of all, and feel the blessings of free
dom in every sense and degree, without being
subjected, rs they often are, to prosecution for
non-fulflment Of contracts Of service, and at any
rate from expulsion, disgrace, and reproach.
In conclusion we must add, upon the facts
which we have adduced in this series Of articles
the causes of the present distress in the Brit
ish West Indies, we shall make no comment, but
appeal to every candid and intelligent reader TO
decide, whether to the fact Of emancipation alone
all such distress can be attributed and whether,
by foresight and precaution, the same evil conse-
quences may not be avoided, should emancipation
ever take place in the Southern States. As a
country, we have the experience of our national
ancestor 10 profit by and, as States, we have the
depressed condition of the Colonies before us, as
an example and surely we must be blind and
dull in more than ordinary degree, if we sup
pose that that example will not, or later be
realized among us; and tenfold more so, if with
all their past history before us we are unprepared
for the event. With the progress of religion and
freNdnTs and with the age of Improvement and
Iiberalty, the still higher work must foflow-the
civilization and evangelization of mankind and
ruh Il, the entire enfranchisement of the human
race. We threaten not, but admonish fear
not, but raise the note of preparation and there
fore we warn our Southern brethren to be ready,
not by the boosted appeal to arms, not by the
wild and rash enthusiasm of madness and re-
vepge, but by intelligence, wisdom, and mod
GRAFTON, by economy and the usual appliances
Of science, and, above all, by kindness, cemency
aud forbearance, to meet any change which the
ever-varyipg and revolutionizing signs of the
times now present.
Ulster county, ~ Y, January d. 1850,