Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-03-14

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are the main support of every free government
Desposm may be powerful, and long sustained
! by mixed population of serfs and mobiles. But
Tree representative republics that rely upon the
voluntary action OF the people, never can. Un-
der such governments, those who defend and sup
port the country must have a stake in the soil;
must have interest to protect and rights to defend
! Slave countries never can have such a yeoman-
ry never can have body of small proprietors
who own the soil and till it with their own hands,
and SIT down in conscious independence under
their own vine and fig tree. There is no sound
connecting link between the arisiocrat and the
slave. True there is class Of human beings be-
tween them but they are the most worthless and
miserable Of mankind. The yoor white laborer is
the scorn of the slave himself. For slavery al
ways degrades labor. The white people who
work with their hands ranked with the other
iaborers-the slaves. They are excluded from
the society Of the rich Their associations if any
where, are with the colored population. They
feel that they are degraded and despised; and
their minds and conduct generally, conform TO
their condition
The soil occupied by slavery is much less pro-
ductve than similar soil occupied by freemen.
Men who are to receive none of the wages of their
labor do not care to multiply It's fruits Sloth,
negligence, improvidence, are the consequences
I The land being neglected, becomes poor and bar
ren as 1t becomes exhausted it is thrown out as
waste Tor slave labor never renovates its strength
This applies particularly to agricultural States
Take Virginia, the favorte example for the South
which has been so trumphantly referred to by the
gentleman from North Carolina, Mr.. Clingnan.
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 certain
ly draw on his imagination in matters Of fact |
suppose he must have been misled by the most
miserable of sophisls, and most false Of chroni-
clers, Elwood Fisher
admit that by nature, Virginia has capabili-
Ties equal, II not superior, 10 any State in the
Union. She has delightful climate; soil ma
turauy fertile. She is nersected, was we'll
said by the gentleman from Virginia Mr.. BaylyO
by the noblest rivers. Her hills and mountains
are filled with rich minerals and covered with
valuable timber. She has the finest water power,
believe, in the nation, in the very heart Of her
State; and her harbors are among the best in the
world. AT the time of the adoption Of the Consti-
tuition she was the most powerful State-her popu-
lation was double that Of New York 1t was
the boast OF her statesmen that she prlaa inter
pdreS. What is she now The population of
New York is more than double--I think the next
census will show nearly treble hers. Her land,
cultivated by unwilling hands, is unproductve.
Travel through the adjoining States Of Ohio and
Pennsylvania, and you will see that the land
produces more than double as much as the same
kind of land in Virginia In the free States new
towns are everywhere springing up and thriving
and land IS becoming more productive; smiling
habitalOnS within hail Of each other; and, ex-
cept under peculiar circumstances, their manu-
facure and mechanic arts furnishing lucrative
employment to all their people; and their popula-
lion steadily and rapidly increasing. Turn again
TO Virginia. There is scarcely new town, ex-
cept at one or two points, within her whole bor-
ders. Her ancient villages wear the appearance
Of mournful decay. Her minerals and timber are
unwrought. Her noble water-power is but par
italy occupied. Her fine harbors are without
ships, except from other ports; and her ea-port
towns are without commerce. and falling 10 decay.
Ask yourself the cause, sir, and | will abide the
answer.
1t is essential 10 the existence Of republics that
education should be generally diffused among the
people. Slavery prevents this Rich men en-
poy private tutors; or send their children abroad.
But the children OF the people generally cannot
be educated without the instrumentaty 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 10 them in the aversion of the rich TO
sociate with the poor The poor white laborer's
children could never be permitted 10 mnge in The
same schools and sit upon the same benches with
the rich mans sons. That would be offensive.
Slavery enfeebles a nation in well as in
peace. 1t is impossible that nation of masters
and slaves can be as powerful and formidable
either in offensive or defensive as nation
Of ireemen. large portion OF her population
must remain al home to prevent the rebellion OF
those who constantly in state of latent war
fare with their oppressors. ! know, sir, we have
had most alarming de scription of the Prowess
OF the South. We have heard their cannon roar
seen their bayonettS bristle; heard the war-cry OF
the charging chivary, and seen their bowie knives
CLEAN within this hall, in the vivid picture OF the
terrible gentleman from South Carolina, (Mr.
Clingman1
We have often been modestly reminded of the
q blood and treasure and gallantry Of the South
This do no, 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 Of the revolution, the war of 1912, the
war which we lately assumed as the ally OF Texas
and of slavery give her full credit for her pa
,riotsm in furnishing most of the men who have
borne the official burden of the government both
in the civil and military list. / know, too, that
she has furnished the kind of men for our armies
who apt to be distinguished when great deeds
are done. For it Is only the officers and COM
manders OF armies who live in story. The stout
hearts and strong arms Of the common soldiers
that fight the battles and win the victories
known 10 lame. Their birth place is not sought
for; their graves are undisingushed. And the |
South has always furnished officers for our armies
Presidents for the Republic; most of our foreign
heads of departments; chiefs of
L,raauc. sometimes i'm her DrOud humility