Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1851-05-15

The First Census.


In 1880 the population of the United States
according to the census of that year, amounted
to 92l 1876. The States were then fifteen in
number Now the number Of States is more
thar doubled, and our population is increased
some seven fold.
In 1870 the great State Of New York. now
the first in the coniederacy, was the fifth in re.
gard to population. Virginia, then the first, is
now likely 10 become the fifth. A relative
change positions some what remarkable!
In every State o! the Union, in 1880, slavery
existed, except in Massachusetts. lfthrse who
take interest in the subject of slavery at this day
Would take note of this fact; if they would oh
serve the gradual process by which, without
disturbance or agitation, the institution Of slave.
ry disappeared from New York, Pennsylvania.
New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New
Hampshire md Vermont they nigh, learn
useful lesson, and might even come to perceive
that certain results may often be better accom-
plshed by the mutual operation of things in their
proper order, than by the olicius interpositi1n
o: meddlesome agencies, that exert Il disturb
ing rather than salutary influence. There was
no occasion to bring iana,cism into the field to
remove slavery from the more Northern States
1t retired Of itself when the conditions of those
communities no longer required its continuance.
So it will be elsewhere and every where IN due
time.-As an industrial ins,rumen,ality slave
ry is adapted only to the most simple kinds Of
iabor-ior in itself it is no; inventive, nor eher-
getic, nor enterprisng. But where it exists it
must continue to exist until better system Of
labor 10 put in its place; and that can Only be
done in accordance with the gradually develop
. ing requirements of this community where the
change is TO be made. There is NJ law recOr-
dsd on the statute books of England TO show
that serldom was ever abolished in that country.
1t ceased gradually and by reason Of Industrial
and social acquisitions never by statute
1t is prevailing error with theoretical re
formers TO regard society and government in the
light of mechanism, and TO look upon the social
and political structure as piece of machinery
which may be altered as one would modify a
steam engine; when in truth society is growth,
living organism of which Government il the
emana,ion and the external form. Give but III,
inspiati ola healthiul lite, and the body socia
and political throws off its disorders by its OWL
inherent pis rifp. Let IT alone; forbear your
drugs, do no. nauseate the system; leave it t'
its own recupera,ive energies which are lei
thousand times more powerful and sanativc thar
all the prescriptions Of doc,ols
But the vanity which aspfesto aid Providence
and to inaugurate ltsel! among creative Powers
will not be content to lei men ana things alone
benev olence and universal philanthropy; and
being deeply panied TO observe tina! others arr
not SO good as they ought to be, it sets itself ~
in the attitude Of perfection fully attained an
cries aloud against perverse generation Th,
age does not sanction extreme measures other
wise it would il it could, zealously burn or ham,
all who stood recusant TO It's earnest solicitations
Such is the fanatlcism Of these days. which nov
seeks to lay hold Of politics and to make tn
public affairs of the country the staple and til
element Of i;s most pernicious influence.
But to return to tho census Of 1880. In 'ha
year the State of New York had slave iopula
ton OF 81 1924; Pennsylvania had 3,737 slave.
Connecticut had 76l-a larger number tina
Delaware has now New Jersey had slave
even under the last census. In 1870 she had
slave population OF l23. The question migl
occur, why is not New jersey slave ho!din
State now as then? She does not owe it TO til
abolhionists that she is not The answer
the question arises Of itself; the laws Of prodnc
tive economy, did not war; ant the cottinuanc
of slavery in New Jersey; she needed differ
ent system Of labor and she obtained it. Thu
is all i. The same formula OF question an
answer is applicable throughout, and will con
tnue to be so-no matter how much agitatic
there may be in some portions Of the countr
with regard to the domestic concerns of otht
portions which might, under fair construc,io
DO supposed capable OF taking care VI their ow
internal affairs.