Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-08-03

THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
We have from time to time quoted para
graphs from Southern newspapers, favorable
to the revival of the African slave trade, as well
as some in faint condemnation Of the project
Tt rest censure coming from any of the
org Of Slavery simply amounts to this: that
they regard the agitation Of the subject as cal.
culated to weaken the slave party Of the free
States, and thereby endanger Southern ascend
ency m the Federal Governments. The Ssnti-
mel of this city, speaks of the proposition as
'silly," absurd and ridiculou.0 as asheer
folly n--aa distempered delusion.n
The Sentinel concludes as follows;
aThe idea Of reopening the slave trade is
silly, ridiculous, and absurd New England
which would profit by it, would oppose It. The
South, which owns slaves, would reject the
heather African. 1t is with pain, therefore
that we are forced to record the fact that one
or two journals in the South advocate a re-
newal Of the import traffic in slaves, like that
which enriched Old and New England seventy
years ago. We hope that they may pause and
reflect. We trust that they may consider that
they are strengthening the arms of the enemies
of the South, and sharpening the weapons of
Northern fanaticism. Are these men mad
Have they lost all sense of right? Have they
repudisted every dictate of prudence and dis
erection Do they not see that they are arm
ing the hands Of the Abolitionists and filing
their magazines with the most destructive
weaponsa Truly, folly is the most fatal of all
things"
1t will be seen that the editor manifests no
Disgust or repugnance at the idea Of reviving
the horrors Of the slave trade but like the
Richmond Enquirer and other Southern jour-
nalr, thinks il inexpedient, and calculated to
strengthen Abolitionism
We stated yesterday. at the conclusion of an
article on this subject, that the African trade
was not necessary to supply the demands Of
Slavery in the Southern States but that, when
Cuba and Brazil are annexed, the clamor in
favor Of continuing the traffic, which already
exists in those countries, would be irresistible.
We were not aware, at the time, that we were
behind the actual development Of public opin-
ion in the South, which has already looked
ahead to the supply Of labor from Africa, for
the proposed acquisitions. The Charleston
Mercury it seems, had anticipated us in the
suggestion We copy as follows:
awe are ready to admit that the Southern
people do not desire the revival Of the slave
trade; we do not ourselves desireit Our slave
population IL, perhaps, scffciently large al
ready, in proportion to the white; il is Chris-
tisn, civilized, and homogeneous its natural
increase IL greater than that Of the white,
North or South; il is nearly equal to the aver
age increase Of the whole white population,
though the latter is constantly swelled by an
immense foreign immigration, and the former
il diminished by emancipation, and the inces-
SAINT slavo stealing Of the Abolitionists. We
should be reluctant to see new and barbs-
rous element introduced among this peacesble,
homogeneous, and thriving population. We
prefer things 10 remain as they are.
But the same reasons do not apply 10 Cuba
and Brazil Those countries are in urgent
need Of an increase Of labor, and we see that
no sooner 10 the cessation Of the slave trade
spoken of with regard TO them, than we hear
Of score of projects for supplying the void,
in some form, the substance Of which is Sla-
very, but the name not yet inserted in the cata-
iogue Of mortal sins BY British pharisccsn
The Charleston Mercury is the organ Of
Southern opinion; and, first or last the views Of
the necessities Of Slavery, which ind expression
through papers Of that stamp, always rule the
South In the long run. When the settlement
Of Texas by slaveholders with it's prospective
annexation 10 the Union, was first preached
in South Carolina papers, the idea was regard
cd as too absurd for serious consideration; but
gradually the morbid necessities for extension
became so pressing upon the slave interest
that the thing was demanded as matter Of
right. Texas was settled by shareholders, in
violation Of Mexican laws, which had abolish
ed the Institution, and in q few years, third
Of the Mexican Republic was severed from its
rightful possessors, and annexed to the United
States. Not satisfied with this acquisition,
Slavery demanded another slice; the Mexican
war was declared by James X. Polk, Pro-
Slavery President and Congress had the weak
ness and wickedncss to sanction his gross
usurpation Of power.
The result was not altogether so auspicious
to Slavery as was anticipated Mexico was
found TO be less congonial, in climate and soil,
to the institution, than was imagined, and with
a population preposscsscd against the institu-
ton. The South has since looked more direct
y southward--to Cuba, Hsyti, and Brazil.
The acquisition Of the former, by fair or foul
means is regarded as fixed fact and II is
not doubted, that 10 due time the Empire Of
soulouque win be subjugated, and the inhab-
itants reduced to Slavery; the valley Of the