The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-24
A Scene for Uncle rom's Cabin.

". LII
We Fitnesfed day before yesterday, some scenes
On the levee, which would have proved valuable ad
ditions to Mrs Stove negro fiction Several steam
boats we're leaving for the up rivers, when suddenly
end Unexpectedly, the white deck hands, taking ad
vantage Of the great demand for aborers. left their
duties and refused to return board unless their
wages we're advanced to sixty dollars per month.
This strike produced great excitement, and bitter
feeling Of hostility between the hands and the Off
GERS and owners OF steamboats, There stood, on the
leyee, the white hand, Inany of them without
cent IN their pockets, but obsiDaely refusing 10 ac
cePt Of reasonable wages, and interfering, by force,
to prevent others from taking the amount deter
mined by themselves, and casting defying and low
ering looks 1T the capta!us Of se9merJ Who having
advertised to leave at certain time aDd having on
board valuable cargo, are pla:ed in situation
which leaves them entirely st the mercy Of Jhsir
bands Slch has been the unhappy and exciting
state Of affairs leyee for sometime-a st tie Of
things equally injurious to employer and employee
The latter, thrown out Of employment become lido
ard dssipated, spending their time in grogshops,
and pouYishng violent ond lawless feeling amongst
their ciasg-whilst the former are deprived OF t1s
means Of conducting their business, by which our
city il supported end mase TO prosper
Whilst obtelying with sorrow this state of alfairs
on our leyee, our attention was suddenly called TO
the merry song Of some Of the laborers OF the
coast psesess, which was just preparing to leave.
These sounds suggested q feeling which eour asted
strongly with that Of the angry glances aud dsfyipg
looks exchanged By the ofisess aud recent deck
bands OF other boats. We turned our attention to
the scene OF such nopportune merciment, and there
we ssw number Of grianing negroes on the lover
deck Of the coast steamer referred TO- who having
6niehed their work, and snugly slowed away the
boats freight, were commencing their usual fare
well soDg--all the while looking towards the white
laborers with air Of self satisfied exutation and
pity, that must have added considerably 10 the an
noyaIee Of the excited strikers In a little while
the fortunate boat having the negro hands left the
port without difficulty, at her appointed time; and
as she steamed up stream, we could hear, for some
moments, the stentorisn notes of her happy labor
ers, echoing in the distances, and sounding very
pleasahtly on The ear, amid the jauing noise, hustle
and confusion Of our levee
Nov, here was contrast-a sceBe which we con-.
mend 10 Mrs Stowe, one in real life, which con-
tradcls end upsets all the absurd and bsssless &c.
tons she has weaved from her fancy, relative 70 the
life aud condition Of our negroes. Can any honest
81 rational mind doubt the superior happiness OF
theso negroes with masters TO then employ
mont and insure them good treatment-their fami-
lies provided for-their every want attended to-
updistuIbcd by the bad passions and cirking
anSieties incident to the rivaes and lions the
suferings and wants. which too often Cypress and
crush the white Iaborer And yet, apceals are
constantly made IN behalf Of the poor oppressed,
ard cruelty treated negroes Of the South, by per
sens who are immediately surrounded by moro
misery and unhappine IS among their own race thar
can be found ihroug hout tho whole extent Of our
section Of the Union.