The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-05-11
T0 NTHRATURE ARTS sc1HNcH AGRculruRE NEWS poIV
1t a few points in this great interest.

| =. emporium as IL WAS developed IN con-
junction with manufactures and the me-
chanic arts in the empires and republics of
antiquity, so was their power and influence
leit and e1erted on surrounding nations.
The most celebrated of these empires had
feature in their systems Of civilization pre-
clseI s the same as exists in the Southern
States of this Confederation, to wit: do
mcstic slavery.
Egypt was celebrated for her agricultural
productions; sufficcncy to supply home
consumption and surplus with which to
employ foreign commerce. Her progress
IN Tie mechanic arts would do no discredit
to our epoch. DIR. Wilde, in his voyage to
the Mediterranean, gives an interesting ac-
count OF the open linen work found covering
the mummiess Of Egypt rs similar to mod
ern Berlin worsted. "One pattern he says,
represented roses with four petals, shaped
like hearts arranged in lozenges, composed
OF buds of different colors, Which cross the
linen obliqucly, and thus present the ap-
pearance of an embroidered net of many
colors; three varieties of red, two of blue,
white and yellow. The linen ground
died nankecn color" This description
almost rivals some of the beautiful speci-
mems on exhibition here, from the work ta-
bles of our own fair countrywomcn. Egypt
had her coins, gold chains, signet rings, Gov
er'ngs of tapestry, carved work, and glass
ware. Her jurisprudence, skill in the med
lcal art, and in embalming the dead are i'm
pcrishable memorials of her learning, sci
exec and advanced civilization. Hersystem
Of domestic slavery was not unlike our own
her slaves titled the soil and performed
menial serviccs-they were boug ght and sold
for price in market overt. For centuries
the empire flourlshed, and her power was
recognized by the neighboring Kingdoms.
Babylonia, an empire great and powerful
among her contemporaries, with fruitful agri-
culture fiourished for succession Of ages.
She too had her system of domestic slavery.
Ph9nicia rose rapidly in power and
wealth, extended her dominions by planting
colonies, titled thesoil with slaves, and car
rled on an extensive commerce. Tyre and
.Sidon, her principal cities, were the very
oadles of the mechanic arts, and were, it
seems, the birthplace of arithmetic, astron-
omy, and taste for letters which afterwards
grew up into such magnitude when trans
planted into Greece. Phenicia, too, had
her system of domestic slavery.
Carthage was a rich and powerful rcpub-
lie, engaged extensively in commerce and
devoted to conquest. Her agriculture was
restricted, and much of her supplies import
ed from Palestine. Her slaves titled the
earth and performed menial service for their
masters. Free Carthage ,sstoo, had her sys-
tenn of domestic slavery.
Greece, tho land of Plato, and Socrates,
and Demosthenes-the land of philosophy,
poetry and eloquence, around whose memo
ry crowd SO many classical associations
even free Greece was the home of slavery.
A we'll informed writer describes ancient
Greece as sufficiently fertile to reward toll
it was not so prolific as to support idleness.
Varied in its character, it did not stimulate
its inhabitants to the branch of industry
alone; it invited the culture of all. One
district was best suited to produce wine,
another oil, and third corn. Arcadia sup
piled pasturage for cattle; Thessaly was
proud of its horses; the coast, indented
with numerous bays and harbors, afforded
every facility to navigation and commerce.
Greece was not exclusively agricultural, pas
toral or commercial, but she was all three
together" In the meridian splendor of her
power, greatness and glory-with a refined
civilization, which has excited the wonder
and challenged the admiration of the world,
she, too, had her system of domestic slave
ry.
The Romans, like ourselves, were mix
ed race, which impressed on them peculiar
nationality. The power and resources of
the Empire, were colossal in all their pro-
portions. In the days of her might, her
arts, her agriculture, her manufactures, her
arms, her genius, philosophy and eloquence,
lowered high above all rivals. She was
indeed the mistress of the World" and
her name spread dismay in the countries of
her enemies In the pride and pomp Of
her powerSsbe too had her system Of do
mestic slavery, and her slaves outnumbered
the free citizens of Rome.
In all these Empires their slaves most
generally were yanquished enemies. There.
was no distinction in color, features and ;un-
derstanding, between the master and slave,
which exposed the institution to embarrass-
ment,-such as we are exempt from in the
United States, Cuba and Brazil. To con-
troll ancient slaves, required moro restraint,
and of consequence a more vigorous discip-
line-than wepractice towards our slaves.
The African slave has his status stamped
by the Creator in indelible colors,-he needs
no badge Of uniform to assign him his place
when seen. The inferiority Of his intellect
is not less distinctly marked, he is dnll and
inapt in bis perceptions, indolent inthought,
sluggsh in bis: movements inpsoyident in