The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-10

same relation 10 the cotton crop with the fret
labor of Indiana, Of Massachusetts,, or Of Man
chester. They would suffer in common BY tht
| diminished demand for their several products
| We do not therefore think that the abandon
mont of cotton culture in the United States
would cause the abolition OF slavery, because
slavery existed before the culture of cotton as
q staple. Slave labor would be transferred to
the culture Of any representative staple. II
seems as cheap as any substitute proposed for it.
The Abolitionists have proposed two methods
OF terminating the production Of cotton in the
United States. The first is by transferring 1t
to the East Indies. 1ai .E 50 90
The signal failure Of experiments has prov
ed the existence of insurmountable moral and
physical obstacles to this scheme. They may,
according to an elaborate work lately written
on the Cotton and Commerce of India" be
removed by the construction of railroads. But
the Southern States have made cotton under as
great want of internal transportation, and they
are also providing similar remedies. 1t is not
then certain that railroads would obvate the
difficulty; nor can we see how The philanthro-
pist would gain by transferring the culture of
cotton from the Mississippi to the Gauges, for
the slavery of caste is, according to travellers,
more abject than that which exists upon the
plantation. We can, however, very well see
how the Englshman would gain by breaking
down an American interest.
The proposed substitution Of fax raised the
hopes Of the Abolitionist greatly, but as the
area of slavery covers every variety of soil
and climate, much of it is adapted to the pro-
duction of hemp or fax, and would be imme-
diately engaged in its culture. Indeed, it aP-
pears that Kentucky produces 2.lO7 POI
pounds of fax, being more than double the pro-
duct Of any other State; whilst Virginia, North
Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri,
produce nearly two-thirds Of the whole fax
crop. Kentucky and Missouri alone produce
about ninety per cent. of the whole hemp crop.
1t is plain, from these facts. that the substi-
tuition of fax or hemp would merely vary the
local value of slave labor.
We cannot, however, pass from the propo
sition to extirpate cotton and slavery without
calling the attention of the .Nsps to a single
popularity in its position. cit considers it nom
sense to think and mere cant to talk of abol-
g ishing slavery if it involved the deprivation
of millions Of our people of cotton"
The Rev. Mr.. SrowE says she has a large
8 family, and cannot do without it."
1t seems, then, that the social consequences
to result from abolition will justify its postpone
ment.
Has it occurred to the .Ns,cs to compare the
sacrifices of the cotton planter with those of
the cotton consumer, in the event the value of
slave property should be destroyed?
1t would seem that the editor of the .Neps,
with the Rev. Mr.. SrowE, lady, and family
will not strip off some dozen cotton shirts,
drawers, and chemises, whilst planter is ex-
pected to reduce himself and family to absolute
want.
The Abolition logic is therefore this: Slaves
ought to be free.
But slaves make cotton chemises for Mrs.
Stowe and party.
is "nonsense and cant" to expect that Mrs.
Stowe and party can dispense with a cotton
indispensable.
Therefore slavery must continue!
Really, having witnessed the insanity of alb
clifton, We now behold its idiocy. Why do not
these agitators appeal to the men, women, and
children of England thus: Merchants! no long
er deal in cotton. Mariners! refuse 10 aid in
its transportation. Manufacturers why will We
spin the accused staple7 Editors print not
your anathemas upon the very object which you
denounce. Spinsters spurn every dividend
tainted with its profits Citizens subscribe to
the extinction of slavery every atom of advan-
tage which you derive from it.
If they be sincere in their exhortations, let
great CorroN ABSTINENCE SOCIETY be organ
lied, whose members shall renounce the use OF
every slave staple. If the "millions of our
people" shall join the society and keep the
pledge, the culture Of those staples must ter
inmate. But until each, individual consumer
shall consent to give up the use of staple, it
really seems unreasonable TO expect the planter
to give up the slave which produces it.
CT.