The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-08-14
AGITATION IN THE RIGHT QUARTER.

A writer in the Plane MOI Argus, published
at the city of Weston, is discussing the question
of slavery in a series OF articles. Ia No. ILL.,
which we find in the last number Of that journal
he Genes TO the conclusion that it Is moral and
political evil, but moral evil only in the abstract
lie draws parallel between the advancement OF
the slavehOlding and non-slayeholding States
between New York and Virginia--between Ohio
and North Carolina--betwOen the cities OF New
Orleans and Boston, aud Philadelphia and Balti-
more lie adds
"These few examples will suffice TO enable US
TO como 20 q suitable conclusion They show
most unequiVocally that in those States and cities
where slavery does not exist, although the natu-
raj advantages are much inferior, the prosperity
and the riches of the country are rapidly develop
ed, commercial enterprise and mechanical ingenui-
ty produce more frequently and with better sue
cess happy results for the Improvement and the
ad yancement Of the people the cities, and the
States than 10 those countries where the drudg-
cries Of life are performed by a race which Is
excluded from the participation in the political
administration Of the State
"But besides these speaking testimonies, these
facts 10 which we have alluded, there are other
circumstances, which prove just as clearly that
slavery is q political evil
"Slaye labor, being entirely mechanical requir-
ing no exertion of intellect, the slave not being
responsible, IL performed with much inferior re-
suits, compared with the same amount Of labor Of
the hireling whose wages are dependent not only
on the quantity, but also on the quality Of the
work.
"The improvements, especially In agriculture
in the Southern States, oan therefore not keep
canal pace with those Of the North, where every
species Of labor requires thought and each thought
suggests new ideas and consequently gives impulse
TO Invention.
cit does not require great skill 10 ill the
ground, where the planter Possesses thousands of
acres Of land for IL certain extent will deterio-
rate there IN still plenty left 10 cultivate which
will yield q plentiful harvest but In those popu-
lous States where II is necessary thai small farm
should produce abundantly, slave labor would be
o curse, and IL could impossibly thrive But the
great number Of inhabitants which a State can
support, in dividing the land into small fractions,
constitutes its prosperity creates its wealth, and
gives IL political Importance Thus the soil OF the
non-slaveholding States will by successive I'm
provement become continually richer, but the
land Of the slave States, on the contrary will and
must deteriorate In the course Of time, and with
the deterioration OF the land the national wealth
will diminish and consequently their political star
will decline
"Slavery is political evil, for there is always
some danger TO make distinction Of races and
establish an inequality before the law, In one and
the same State. IL Is perilous, to some extent 10
treat the weak as aliens; for II they should be
suffered 10 surprise the strong, they might AFRO
gate those rights Of which they were deprived,
and, fin their power, they might revenge them
selves for the past.
"Slayery 10 q moral evil, because Christiani-
ty does not approve Of the doctrine that the poor
should serve the rich, that the weak should be
made 10 bow 10 the strong, that the Ignorant
should be governed by the wise. Who would be
chief among you, says Christ, let him be az SER
want
"The religion Of the Son Of God teaches the
most perfect equality at least equality OF rights
and Of privileges, although no positive prohibi-
lions are made In regard 10 slavery