Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-04-27
-u-The following article. the best one we have
seen for long time in the London Times. presents
an old subjectinya new light:

.SuJ Inc following article, the best one we have
seen for long time in the London Times, presents
an old subject in n new light:
II 80 -
From the London Times, March So ny
LONDON SLAVERY. -
What is slavery? GA save," says DIR. Noah
Webster, in his dictionary pull lshed at New York,
Sis person wholly subject to the will of another;
one who has HOW'LL ofahis own, but whose per
son and services are Wholly under the control of
another" The learned lexicographer-and sure
ly at New York men should be acquainted with
The rights OF the SubIect-proceedS to inform us
that in the early ages of the world, prisoners OF
war were considered and treated as slaves. .The
slaves of modern times,' he adds, care generally
purchased like horses OF oSen.S Our own, DIR.
Johnson defines a'slave as being one ttmancipated
to a master-nots a free mana dependent-one
VINO has lost the power of resistance.'' Mr..
Charles RICHARDSON, on the other hand, considers
q slave as a person "who is reduced to captivity
to serve, labor, or toll for another" There is al
ways some little trouble abouta definition, and
1t requires the cobbing and filing of more
IMAM one genetahon to produce anything like per-
ect one. There are however certain conditions of
life, which any photographer would endeavort to in
clude In his dragnet if he attempting to give
definition OF slavery. We areall agreed about the
Uncle Toms anu colored population OF the South
ern States OF the American. Union. They are
slaVes-not only in name but in tact-klndly treat
ed, we believe, in the majority of instances-5ut
still essentially slaves. w hen we endeayor TO go
little further we find ourselves considerably en-
barrassed.. Ia man IS the slave ofihis own bad
pasSlons,-ot his lust alter gain or power. But
til will scarcely do, lorby enarging Il definition
too much, the essence and reality Of the thing to
be defined Is altogether lost. - q
1t may perhaps be better to begin at the other
end, and ascend from particulars to generals
Granting that the negro gangs who are worked on
Inc cotton GROUNDS oil the Southern States OF North
America, or IN the sugar plantations OF Brazil, are
slaves, IN what way should we speak OF persons
VINO are circumsanced IN the manner we are about
10 Ietates Let us CONSIDER them as Inhabitants OF
a distant region-say oil New Orleans-no matter
ABOUT the color OF their SKINS, ana then ask our
serves what should be our OPINION OF nation III
which such things are Tolerated. They are OF
sex and age the least qualified TO struggle with the
hardshlps OF their io--young women, ttr the most
part, between sixteen anu thtty years OF age
AS we would not deal IN exageratlolls, we would
premise That we take them at their busy season,
Just as writer's upon American slavery are careful
10 Select the season OF The cotton picking and su
young female slaves, then, OF whom we speak, are
worked III gangs IN disseminated rooms, or rooms
that are not venlatea at all lot tounu ny eX-
perience mat, II air De admltteu tDrlngs with it
.blacks' OF another KIND, which damages the
work upon whlch the seamSuesses are employed.
lhelr occupauonls 70 sow 1rom morning I'LL night
anu tli Holhlis-sutch, sntch Stitch, with
out pauSe-wlthout speech-wlthout saile-
without SIGH. In the gray OF the morning they
must De AT work-sayt at SIX o'clock-havlng II
quarter oil an hour allowed Tor breaking their fast.
The food served out to them IS scanty and mlsera-
Bile enough, but still, in all probability more than
their teyered system can digest. Wedo not, how
ever, wish to make out case OF starvation; the
suffering is OF another klnd-equallY dreadful of
endurance. From six O'Clock, then, till eleven, it
IS stitch, stitch, AT eleven small piece of dry
oreau is served 10 each seamsireSS, but still she
must stitch on. AT one O'Clock twenty minutes
are allowed for dinner--a sliceof meat and a po-
tato, with glass OF toast and water to each work.
man. Then again TO work--stitcll, stitch-until
i've O. clock, when fifteen minutes are again allow
ed Tor tea. The needles are then set in motion
once. more-stitch, stitch-until nine O'Clock,
when fifteen minutes are allowed for Supper-a
piece oil dry bread and cheese, and glass of beer.
From nine O'Clock at night until one, tw o, and
hree IN the morning. stitch, stitch; the only break
III this long period being minute or two, Just
tine enough to swallow strong cup of tea, which
IS supplied lest the young people should "feel
sleepy" AT three O'Clock A. NJ. TO bed; at six
A. M. out OF II again to resume the duties of The
following day. There must be good deal of mo-
notonv in the occupation.
But when we have said that for certain months
of the year these unfortunate young persons are
worked in the manner described, we have not said
all. Even during the few hou!S allotted to sleep,
should we not rather say TO n feverish cessation
from toii?-their miseries continue. They are
cooped up in sleeping pens, ten in a room which
would perhaps be sufficient for the accommoda-
ton of two persons. The alienation is from the
treaumlll-and what q trecdmil Ito the Black
Hole OF Calcutta. Not word of remonstrance is
allowed, or is possible. The Seamstress may leave
the mill, no doubt, but what awais them on the
other side OF the door3-sarvation, If they be hon
estif not in all probability, prostitution and its
consequences. They would scarcely escape from
slavery that way. Surely this is q very terrible
state OF things, and one wheh claims the anxious
consideration oil the ladies oil England, who have
pronounced themselves so loudly against the horrors
OF negro slavery in the United States. Had this
system of oppression against persons of their own
sex been really exercised IN New Orleans. it would
have elected from them'n many expressions of sym
patty for the sufferers, and Of adherence for the
cruel taskmasters who could so cruelty overwork
wIetched creatures SO untitled 10 the toll 1t is
idle 10 use any further mystication in the matter.
The scenes OF misery we have described exist at
our own doors, and in the most fashionable quar-
ters of luxurious London tisin the dress max