The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-11-15
! NJ: Is.

IEl1so.s-A correspondent of the Charles
ton Courier, writing from the State OF Illinois.
under date of September is, says, in behalfo
our best,lnd most enterprising citizens, as we'll
as in my own, have thought proper to address
through you, a communication to our southern
friends.
Itis now generally conceded BY all parties.
that majority Of the legal voters of any state
of this Union may, at any time, alter or amend
their fundamental Law SO asto admit slave labor
or abolish it, ifthought expedient. Many ofus.
who have lived in Illinois long enough to test
the comparative advantages that both systems
present, are now prepared to pronounce openly
our full and candid preference in favor Of slave
labor in all agricultural business.
Having been born and raised in slave states.
we are prepared to Judge by experience. after
residing here and being actively engaged in the
mcst important branch of industry from fifteen
to twenty five years. We have discovered that
tbs novelty Of free labor is mere empty hum
bug. Practical business men had hoped that
it would 20 better as the country advanced. but
the reverse is the fact. tt now more difficult
to obtain men and women than ever before, and
they are Of much less account when obtained.
We have been endeavoring to learn the SEN
tinaents Of our people upon this subject, and
have been astonished to see with what unanlmty
they express themselves in favor OF the intro
duction of slave labor Ihave conversed with
many of our best farmers, who were raised in
the eastern states, ,and they will give their hearty
cooperation in eaecting this subject. The pros
pect OF success is better than the most sangulno
friend could have anticipated When the vote
was taken before, twas lost by a small majority
against us, and am satisfied now that better
and more favorable opportunity for bringing this
question before the people, than the present.
cannot be expected
We must carry this question to the ballot box,
and we therefore call or all southern men, who
desire to locate in the richest and most produc-
tive state in the Union, to let Kansas and Ne
braska go-they are not worth an eHort-and
turn every emigrant to Illinois. Send your
young men here, who can remain here and vote.
Buy out those who are opposed to our instltu-
tions, and let them go to more congenla latt :
tudes, II, by united efforts we shall be able to
carry our points, the southern people will then
possess the key of the western world, the rich
est portion of the American continent With
southern society, southern institutions and
southern agricultural enterprise, Illinois would
become the most lovely portion Of earth.
regard it superfuous to present the natural
advantages that Illinois possess, and the artifi-
cial facilities that have been completed and are
in the course of construction. Your intelligent
readers are fully aware of the facts connected
with her geographical character. 1t is conce.
ded that she embraces greater amount OF
rich soil, in proportion to her territory, than any
state in the Union, with surface favorlng, in a
: wonderful degree, the construction of railroads
with rivers and lakes upon her borders Of this
: most superior character all combining to make
t her what she is destined to be, the brightest
2 star in the American constellation. We want
the southern people, with their hospitality their
open, frank, independent character, their high
a standard of honor and integrity their extensive
d and neat manner Of beautifying q country, to
r make Illinois home for all who have feelings
S and sentiments congenial with those Of the 3trus
n Virginia gentleman of TO-
y With the earnest hope that our southern
0 friends will aid us, and enable US to effect on,
h object, | am yours and theirs.
y DUMAS ]. VAN DERBY