The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-05-11
times more acceptable to the slave and less
perplexing to the master.

perplexing to the master.
l have collated this brief epitomc of the
history Of some of the most celebrated em-
pires and republics of antiquity, and noted
specially their system of slavery to prove
from the record Of history, that the modern
opinion held by many persons in the North
and East that slavery is political evil by
reason OF the weakness in a military aspect
entailed on the State, and that it is incom
patible with the personal and mental devel-
opment of the white man, is founded in the
most palpable error. I need only point
othis epitome to establish the fact, that
slavery presents no barrier whatever to the
highest development and the civilization of
the master race. What would an old Ro-
man have replied to the charge that slave
ry was an element of weakness9 He would
have said that while Roman citizens were
fighting the battles Of the republic, Roman
slaves were tilling the soil to support her
armies and people, or if at peace, that the
slave labored to give the owner leisure and
means to cultivate philosophy, poetry, let.
ters and eloquence. So we say for South
ern slavery. With all her prating of phi
lanthropy, has England, now MI old empire,
in her poetry obscurcd the genius Of Virgil
and Horace, or in her oratory cc|ipscd the
splendid eloqucnce of Cicero. All the an
cient preccdents establish the fact, that slave
holding States are not only capable, but that
they actually do attain the most exalted
civilization enjoyed by their most favored
and accomplished contemporaries. Does
our experience confirm the truth Of these
precedents2 We have in the South more
wealth per capita than the population of
the North possesses; we have as much vir-
tue and as little crime; we, with third less
population, furnish more than moiety of
all exports; and when our sons have met
theirs in the camp, in the cabinet, in the
senate, or on the bench, have they not nobly
maintained themselves and borne to their
countrymen as many trophies from all these
theatres rs the men Of the North
We have only to improve the means,
which the God Of nature has showered in CO.
pious profusion all over this State, to make
our population affluent, independent, re-
fined and intelligent, prosperous and power
full.
In late years, new interest has been ava
kened i'll improving our agriculture. It is
fortunate that apathy has at last been dis
cardcd, and that our planters have COM
menced to repair the breaches of former
years. Our lands are growing old, cleared
hills have been pierced with deep gullies,
and many exhausted fields surrendered to
the sedge and pine: and still there is no
sensible diminution in production, and yet
but for the Improvements in husbandry in
modern years, our agriculture would have
sadly Notwithstanding has been
done, but much remains for the planter to
do.
In former years the strength of rich
virgin soil supplied to some extent tho fail
ure of good seasons and careful culture, but
now that soil is washed off or has tired in
the constant drafts on its strength. We
must practice iberalty to the earth, O,
most generous benefactress. If she
grown surly and yielded to our labor
to the aliment we have bestowed
her, how many long years ago would we
have been pinched with want and stricken
with famine9 She has in the generosity of
her nature disdained to retaliate our parsi-
mony, but with a noble benevolence, has
tasked her utmost energies to fill our grana-
RIGS and enrich our Golfers. How can we,
guided by the impulses of grateful hearts,
longer neglect to minister to the modest
wants of this disintercsted friend, who so
steadfastly tolls for our happiness2 Eourish
her with the food her appetite Graves, and
she will reimburse you with no stinted in
terest. When she has grown weary, enfee-
bled by long and faithful service, let her rest
She will soon acquire new strength and
vigor and bear you on her generous bosom
a tecming harvest. The enlightened donor
is never forgotten when she scatters her boun-
ties. Try It.
The pecuniary and personal comfort of
the parties would be greatly promoted if the
planters of this State were all transformed
into farmers. That, policy is most porni-
cious which prompts the planter to swell the
number Of his cotton bales, and sends him
into the provision market to buy his pro-
visions, and into the live stock market to
buy the animals used and consumed on the
plantation. It makes him merely tho SUI
pervisor of cotton fields, to produce profits
for the stock and provision dealers; for how
little of the roll Of cotton money is left to
the planterswhen he has paid his merchant,
his grocer and the stock drover.
How much more to his interest, then, to
produce all the articles Of consumption
which may be grown in his owns climate
and on his own soil The provisions con-
su,ned in this State MAY be successfully
grown in every District, and the first great
care Of the planter should be to raise his
own bread stufs, pork, beef and mutton,
and with equA care he should rear bis own