The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-03-02


Institutions, viz: that Exceptions sometimes be-
come Lavs One vice will sap the foundation
of many virtues. A single breach serves to let
in flood of evil. One exceptional Institution,
driven, by the instinct of selfpreservation, to
watch and work increasingly against the gen.
eral tendencies of the system of which it is
part more than balances, at times, by its ex-
traordinary action, the normal operation OF
that system. Those whose interests are identi-
| fed with it, know that it can be maintained
only by extreme vigilance and exertion. They
anticipate threatened danger-they set them
selves to work to oeunteract the spirit of the
Constitution that barely tolerates it-they seek
to appropriate to themselves the powers it con-
fers, that they may shape them 30 as to
strengthen, rather than weaken, their excep-
tional Institution. In this way, while the mass
of the People are trusting quietly to the work
ings Of Natural Laws, and the tendencies of
system generally conformed to them, without
active exertions to enforce them, those few,
sleepless, ever-active supporters of an Institu-
ton which has been allowed simply as an Ex-
csption, are stealthily accommodating power,
and changing the Exception to general Law.
The history of Slavery in connection with the
Government of the United States proves this
fact, which the Conservative opponents of Anti
Slavery agitation have entirely overlooked.
2. There is another reason for its aggressive
ness, founded directly upon pecuniary interest.
Slave Labor is generally wasteful and thrift.
less The laborers are unintelligent and stu
pd putting forth just enough brute energy,
under coercion, for the performance of the
tasks allotted them, but, without interest in the
proceeds of their own labor, and without slim
ulus to their inventive faculties, they never
dream of devising labor saving machinery, or
of preserving the productive power of the soil
they till. Besides, their labor is used chiefly in
the growth of q few great staples, not for con-
sumption upon the spot but for expectation
for purposes of consumption in other regions
Thus, by double process-reckless waste of
productive power in the soil, and Transports
ton to other chimes of those products whose con-
sumption would give back to the soil the vital
ity extracted fromit-the system of Slave Labor
is compelled constantly to seek an enlargement
of its area. 1t can thrive only by constant
accessions of new and virgin soil.
No labor-saving machinery, no amount of ag-
ricultural science or skill, no reform in the
slave code, no change for the better in the
habits of the planters, could have saved the
British colonies from utter ruin under the sys-
tenn of slave culture. Without possibility Of
expansion, it had ceased to be profitable, and
the planters had become overwhelmed with
debt. Our Slavery is continental, not insu-
lar Confined to its original limits, it would
ere this have ceased to exist, or have under
gone an essential change of character. In ex-
pansion, in sccessions of new Territory, it has
renewed it's vitality, and maintained its rigorous
nature.
Is policy, necessary to its being to be ar
rested by deceptive Compromises, or the lying
resolves of Party Conventions, in favor of
Fnalitiesa Slavery, here, is continental, not
ins,,lar, and is determined to keep open the
Continent to its march. 1t finds Texas con-
venient, and annexes it, it believes part of
Mexico fit for its peculiar culture, and con-
quers it, although providentially that which it
chiefly longed for has eluded its grasp 1t sees
some advantages in other portions, and proposes
to buy them with the surplus in the Treasury.
The Missouri Compromise is in the way, of
establishing Principle of Governmental Poll
cy, which will give IMMUNITY to its schemes of
acquisition Southwardly, and it demands its re-
peal In all this, it is true to its instincts, acts
in obedience to the law of its being. 1t never
takes its eye from the object it aims at, never
relaxes its purpose. Meantime, our Conserva-
tive friends who are distressed whenever called
upon to resist some signally fragrant aggression
of this Power, suppose it to be something out
of the way, a very extraordinary, inexplicable
thing, and as soon as the occasion passes, fold
their hands and begin to talk in their sleep of
the blessings of peace and harmony, and the
mischiefs of agitation, never awaking to the
TRUTH that the special aggression that aroused
them, was but one development Of q Policy
which, inexorably determined by the necessi-
ties of Slavery, fears not God and regards not
man.
We have exhibited two of the three reasons
why Slavery is necessarily and always aggres-
sve. The third reason is that it is source of
political potcer. The white population of the
free States is twice great as that of the slave
States they have fifty-nine more Representa-
tives in Congress in the Electoral College, If
united they could always elect the President.
And yet the slave States control the Govern
ment in ali its departments. They dictate the
oraoJ &c kba old rsolit;coJ parf;ao prosor;bo n
tests of fitness for Office, select the candidates
for Federal stations, determine the policy of
the Chief Executive, furnish the majority Of
Judges on the Supreme Bench, choose the Pres
ident pro tenn. of the Senate and the Speaker
| of the House, construct the committees in both
branches always securing the first places in
| dignity and influence to Shareholders, and
make hostility to their pretensions cause of
political degradation.
How happens it that these States, 80 inferior
to the free States, in population, general intel.
lgence, in science, literature, and the arts, in
wealth and resources, are politically pre-emi-
nent and allcontrolling The answer is easy
| Political Power in the slave States is concen-
trated in small class, identified with and rep
resenting vast Moneyed Interest, valued at
| twelve hundred millions of dollars-an Interest
without rival, holding in absolute subsection
all minor interests, making them tributary to
| its aggrandizement. In the free States on the
contrary, the diversi6cation of labor and enter
prise, the practical recognition Of the equality
of all members of the community and the in
| dependent character of the relation sustained