Squatter sovereign., 1855-02-20


Taking the whole Union, with the ex-
ception of California, which as yet is of no
fixed character, we find that though the non
slaveholding States contain free popula-
ton more than double that of the slave
holding States, their whole property is only
Is per cent greater! While the proper
tionate wealth of the South is nearly twice
as much as that of the North.
We give again the exhibits of the census.
Free States, Free Pop. 1924, $500
Slave holding States, Free, 6,312, ,S99
=" Rep. SAG, ,507
{" ' Total, 9,5l3,3I1
Property to the person:
Non-slaveholding States To Free, 1898. O
Slaveholding State To Free, 439.OO
9" Rep. 32S. 90
d" 3" Total, 291 90
We have now contrasted the condition
of the six New England States with those
of the five old slave States, so far as the
facts exhibited in the census enable us to
contrast their condition, with view to de-
tergnine their religious and moral character,
their progress in wealth and population.
We have selected these States for our COM
parison, because their free population is
equal, and because they fairly exhibit, for
they have fully tried, the effects of negro
slavery. They are not, like the new
States of the South and West, creatures of
a day; pushed forward, puffed up by acci-
dent; people by hazard, their condition all
unsettled. We have taken those tried bv
time, and the result is, that we find all ex-
perience set as naught; the laws of nature
yanquished.
The people Of the North, elsewhere no.
ted for religious devotees, here are found
less plous than the thoughtless Southerner.
The northern cline, elsewhere the very
hot-bed OF population for the South, here
falls far behind the fatal regions of the
South III the number of its births, greatly
exceeds the South in the number of
its deaths. The men of the North
by nature more vigorous and ener-
getic, hete, though noted for fugality and
industry, with every advantage which
legislation can give, thus levying an enor-
NOUS annual tax upon the people of the
South, are yet far behind the people of the
South in the acquisition of wealth
Commerce and manufactures, elsewhere
the sources of greatest wealth. here are
found less profitable than slayeholdidg ag-
riculture.
To all the ills to which man is subject.
both mental and physical, the men Of the
north, with all the advantages of climate,
are far more liable than the southern slave
holder.
In short, under all the disadvantages of
climate, the cramping influence of oppres-
slye Legislation, in despite of the very laws
ofnature, by the SO ocalled course of slavery -
the people of the slaveholding States are
more religious, healthier and happier, mul-
tiply faster, live longer and better, and are
lar richer than the people of the North.
But there are effects procured by negro
slavery, which are not exhibited In the
census, can not be set down In figures, of
lar more Importance than the acquisition
OF wealth, or mere increase of population.
These are, It's tendencyto elevate the char
acter OF the white race, to give to that race
a more exalted tone of moral sentiment.
and in republic of vital importance is its
influence In giving to the white race a
higher, holier, more stern and unyieldinr
love of liberty; in making the white race
emphatically race of Sovereigns, fit men,
bers of a free government.
In 1875, IN speech delivered III the
British Parliament, Edmund Burke, the
Philosopher and Statesman, in support of
his motion for the adoption of measures to
concihate America, referring to the infu-
ences which In the respective Colonies
would induce opposition TO the British
government, and among others to the re-
llglous opinions of the northern Colonies,
and to the supposed attachment of the south
ern Colonies to the church of England as
likely to incline them favourable to the
government, said:
There is however circumstance atten-
ding these southern colonies, which fully
cotmterbalanced this difference and makes