Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-03-09

conduct generally conform to their condition
The soil occupied by slavery is much less
productive than similar soil occupied by tiee-
men. Men who ore to receive none OF the
wages of their labor do not care to multiply lis
fruits. Soth, negligence, improvldence, are
the consequence. The land becomes neglected,
becomes poor and barren as II becomes ex-
hausted ii is thrown out as waste, for slave Ia
Dor never renovates its strength. This applies
particularly to agricultural States. Take Vlr-
pinia, the favorlte example for the South, which
has been so triumphantly referred to by the
gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. CLING
NAN Whence he drew his facts that she was
more prosperous, more populous, and more rich
than the free States, know not. | am sure it
was not from personal observation. He would
not certainly draw on his imagination IN mat
tiers of fact. | suppose he must have been
misled by the most miserable of sophlsts, and
most false Of chroniclers, Ellwood Fisher.
| admit that. by nature, Virginia has capa-
bilities equal, if not superior, to any State IN
the Union. She has a delightful climate
soil naturally fertile She Is ntersected, as
was we'll said by the gentleman from Virginia,
Mr.. BAyLY, by the noblest rivers. Her hills
and mountains are filled with rich minerals
and covered with valuable timber She has
II,
very heart of her State and her harbors are
among the best in the world At the time of
the adoption of the Constitution she was the
most powerful State-her population was dou-
bic that OF New York 1t was the boast Of
her statesmen that she was prinan inter pdres.
What is she now! The population OF New
York is more than double-l think the next
census will show nearly treble hers. her
land, cultivated by unwilling hands, is unpro-
ductive Travel through the adjoining states
Of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and you viii see
that the land produces more thsn double as
much as the same kind OF land IN Virginia.
In the free states new towns are everywhere
spiInging up and thriving: and land Is becom-
ing more productive; smiling habltatlons are
within hail of each other: the whole country
is dotted with school houses and churches al
most within sight of each other; and, except
under peculiar circumstances, their manufac-
lures and mechanic arts furnishing lucrative
employment TO all their people; and their
population steadily and rapidly increasing.
Turn again to Virginia. There is scarcely
new town, except al one or two points, within
her whole borders. Her ancient villages wear
the appearance Of mournful decay. Her min-
erals and timber unwrought. Her noble wa
terpower is but partially occupied. Her fine
harbors are without ships, except from other
ports aud her ea-port towns are without
commerce, are falling to decay. Ask your
self the cause, sir, nd Will abide the answer
Ii is essential to the existence Of republics
that education should be generally diffused
among the people. Slavery prevents this.
Rich men employ private tutors, or send their
children abroad. But the children of the peo-
pie generally cannot be educated without the
lnstrument4itY Of district schools. In slave
states, where the plantations are large, the
white population is too sparse ever to maintain
them Beside there is another fatal obstacle
TO them in the aversion of The rich TO associ-
ate with the poor The POOR white laOorer's
children could never be permitted to minge
IN the same schools and sit upon the same
benches with the rich mans sons. That
would be offensive.
Slavery enfeebes nation in war as we'll as
in peace. 1t Is impossible that a nation Of
masters and slaves can be as powerful and
formidable either in offensive or defensive Wnr
as a nation OF treemen. a large portion Of
the population must remain at home 10 prevent
the rebellion of those who are constantly in a
state ct latent warfare with their oppressors.
! know. sir, we have had most alarming de-
scriptlon OF the prowess of the South. We
have heard their cannon roar seen their bay
onets hristIe: heard the war.cry oi their charg-
ing chiyalry, and seen their bowie knives
CLEAN within this hail. in the vivid picture Of
the terrible gentleman from North Carolina,
(Mr. CLINGMAN)
We have often been modestly reminded of
the blood and treasure, and the gsllsntry OF
the South" THIS do not dispute. ! am
proud TO admit that she has furnished many
gallant sons, whose names will adorn the
brightest pages OF our history, both for the war
OF the revolution, the war OF 1912, and the
war which we lately assumed as the ally of
Texas and of slavery. | give her tull credit
for her patriotism IN furnishing most of the
men who have borne the official burden Of the
Government both III the civil and the military
list | know, too, that she has furnished the
kind of men tor our armies whe are apt To be
distinguished when great deeds are done. For
il is only the officers und commanders OF ar
mics who live in story. The stout hearts and
strong arms of the common soldiers that fight
the battles and win the victories are unknown
10 fame. Their birthplace is not sought for; their
graves are undistlnguished. And the South
has always furnished officers for our armies !;
Presidents for the Republic, most OF our for
eign ambassadors heads of departments, chiefs
of bureaus, and, sometimes, in her proud hu-
mility, has consented that the younger sons of
her diapidated houses should monOpoiize the
places of clerks and messengers to the Gov
ernment. But whence are drawn the com
mon soldiary, the men who peril their lives,
and win victories for your glory Almost en-
tirely from the free States, except in cases OF
sudden emergency, when volunteers are called
nearest the scene of danger. The present
Secretary Of War, a southern gentleman OF
great ability, and strenuous for southern rights,
says in his report:
"Accordng to the practice which has long
"prevaIIed, the great majority of enlistments
as made IN the northern Atlantic cities and
"the adjacent interior towns, whence the re-
.'cruits are sent to the general depot for IN
'structon, and finally distributed to the South
ern AM Western posts, according to the
wants OF the service"