Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-15

factures produced in that city was nearly 'thir-
ty-six millions Of dollars; or, leaving out that
class of manufactures IN Which The product Of
siaps labor is used, thirty-one millions. Docs
this look like being dependent upon the South
and its Slavery?
We suppose it will be admitted that the
People Of the Free States arc at least az indus
trious, energetic, enterprising, and intelligent
as the People Of the British North American
Colonies and that those Status possess as
many of the material elements OF wealth and
power as the Colonies. 1t has been generally
admitted that, in all respects the superiority is
on the side Of the States We simply atsume
equality.
II so happens that these Colonies increase IN
,opulation little faster than even the United
States; that they double their numbers in
eighteen or twenty years; that their trade and
material prosperity generally keep pace with
their growth in population; that their EXPORTS
which amounted to $7,2s7,940 in 1906, had
reached $35, 100000 in 1857 that their ton
mage outward by sea went up from l24,247 in
1906, to 836,66s in 1881, and to $50, lO4 in
1851. And all this growth has taken place in
o state Of colonial dependence, imposing many
drawbacks on enterprise, and snbjecting them
to disadvantages outweghing the benefits do
rived from their relations with Great Britain.
How marvellous it must seem in the eyes OF
our Southern neighbors that they should thrive
SO vigorously, out Of The american Union
that they should grow rich and powerful, and
increase their shipping and commerce. without
any South for Them to plumber, any Federal
Government for them to fatten upon! Buying
little from the Slave States, and selling them
less, with no part or lot in their carrying trade
they yet 60 ahead, doubling their population
every twenty years, building cities, cutting ca
mails, running railroads, and rapidly developing
their resources in all directions.
Now, does it never occur to Mr.. Brooks,
and tho DISCLAIMERS Of his school, that the free
States lying for the most part in the same
great basin of the St. Lawrence and Lakes, in
which these Colonies lie, with mines and agri-
cultural capabilities and facilities for CON-
merce, and all material resources, at least
equal to those enjoyed by them, might be able
to survive as well as they do outside Of he
Union!
There is something almost childishly n
diculous in the notions of some Southern wri-
tiers on political economy. They seem to think
that no product has any value unless it DO ex-
ported--that articles consumed at home, or
which form the material Of internal commerce.
contribute nothing to the wealth of the coun-
try.
We export to foreign countries somewhat
over two hundred millions of dollars annually
but, our total productions every year, agricul-
tural, manufacturing, 3d., are estimated at
near three billions, or fifteen times our exports.
Ia there no wealth in the fourteen fifteenths We
use at home? The value of the Indian Corn
raised annually in the country is nearly three
times greater than that Of cotton, which Mr.
Brooks thinks 80 important that the world
would stand still on its axis, without it!
I. Suppose the Union dissolved, would the SIX
49,. .a,irons OF People IN the Free States cease
to have their wants, lose their capacity for la
drink, wear clothes, 20 about in shoes and hats,
live in houses, and do pretty much as they do
now New England would continue to buy
million barrels Of -four from Ohio, and Ohio
would continue to take manufactures in return,
or groceries imported In New England ships.
We suppose dissolution Of the Union would
not extinguish the coal beds of the West, dry
up the Mississippi and the Great Lakes, pre-.
vent surplus product Of breadstuff', or render
railroads and ships unnecessary to carry it to
it's appropriate markets. Oar Canadian neigh
bors, who have no dealings with tho South,
make out to live comfortably, and are growing
great and powerful, but tho poor, miserable
People Of the North and West, were they cut oft
from political fellowship with the South, would
straightway go to grass! Nothing keeps them
along, and enables them to make both ends
meet but the Slave Labor Of the South
Let us suppose the Union no more Dissolr-
ton has been accomplished civil strife at
tending it has ceased there are fifteen slave
States and sixteen free States, and they have
agreed to live in peace. Let US speculate
little. The South continues its system Of slave
labor it is still planting and an exporting
country the planters, Of course, demand free
trade and low freights. Navigation laws to
bring into life homo shipping interest would
impose heavy burden upon them, and, after
all, would avail nothing for where is the ma
terial out Of which sailors are to be made
Their ports would be thrown open and the yes
sells that would carry for the lowest freight in
the safest manner. and quickest time, would be
preferred. Northern shipmasters would fear
no competition. Place them on anything like
an equal footing, and they will do more than
hold their own. Look at their triumphs in the