Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-11-09

~ increase in the numbers of our slave population
bovond the ratio of natural increase in the population
If any other nation; which could only arise from
the abundant supply of the necessares and comforts
If life, and contented state Of mind.
It's 8 great error in those who do not know our
slavery, to confound authority in the private rela
tom though it be that of STAKEHOLDER, with the alb:
solute power of prince on throne. A political
despot is separated from his subjects He knows
them not nor loves them. He sympathzes with none
of them but their positions and feelings are in con-
slant hostility. But authority in domestic life though
not necessarily, is naturally consderate, mId easy
10 be entreated and tends 10 an elevation In sentiment
in the superior which generates humane tenderness
for those in his power, and renders him regardtu alike
of the duty and dignity of his position. 1t is only
when the authority is disputed and resisted, that a
conflict occurs and the slaves, if kept to themselves
unprompted from without, will seldom give occasion
IN that way tor rigor. Why should this propitious
state of things be changed Why should any wish
a change Especially, why should persons who
have no concern in it, who are not of US, and know
not what they do oficiously interfere in relation so
entirely domestic and delicate We know that our
slaves are generally humble, obedent, quiet, and
rontented and cheerful race Ct Iaborers. Scattered
over the plantations in rural occupations, they are
never rioous or dangerous, as the same number of
uneducated working men have often been in other
PARTS of our country. Slaves are no part of the
State with no political power, and seek violent
or sudden changes in the law policy of the coun-
try and where slavery exists labor and capital never
come in conflict, because they IN the same hands,
and operate in harmony. 1t is not, then, blot upon
our laws, nor stain morals, nor a blight up
on our land. signal instance of its beneficial po-
lGcal influence just occurs to me, to which cannot
refrain from asking your attention The sad fate of
the Indian tribes in the territories now forming the
United States, is familiar to every one. With the
exception of few small remnants, seated among the
whites as degraded CASTE in two of the
northern States all belonging to that region ex
ThaVy bod
they never engaged in the pursuits of civil fe and
could not be civilized They killed up in wars
with the whites, at their instigation, with each
others deprived of their land, and, consequently
with reduced supplies of food by the dminution of
game, and brualized by intemperance, they wasted
away while they were yet savages. The same fate
befel most of those at the South and from the same
causes. But there are exceptions worthy of grave
consideration. There were FIVE large tribes on this
side of the Misslssippi-the Cherokees. the Creeks
the Chickasaws, Choctaws, and the Seminoles. The
two former were nearer to u.s. and, indeed, part of
their territory within our borders. Therefore we
more familiar with them. and will speak only
Of them, though believe the same is true of all of
them. The Cherokees and the Creeks suffered losses
OF land and people like the other tribes; but they
differed from them in circumstance, and only one,
from which, however, most important consequences
resulted. II so happened, that, while yet respectable
IN strength, they got, in some way-by capture or
purChase-some negro slaves. Immediately there
was change in their whole polity, which preserved
their existence, and increased their numbers and
their wealth. The acquisition of slaves gave them
The idea of property in individuals, and in order 10
make the labor of the slaves beneficial qualified
property in the lands occupied by each Indian, and
worked by his slaves, was recognized by the nation,
and the pursuits and arts of civilized life estab-
Gshed among them; farms were extended, dwellings
erected, traffic practsed, clothes after the fash
ion of the whites, schools and churches opened and
the red man became the white man in his occupa-
tons, property, education and religion. And now
these tribes form intelligent and thriving people be-
yond the Mississippi, with enlarged knowledge, pro-
perty and power; with a printed statue book, with
legislative body, and regular tribunal of Justice
Such works hath American slavery wrought upon
those tribes! Is that roproach to it! And IS II
not marvellous that, STILL it should be pursued by
persons having knowledge of its practical opera
lions, under phrenzy az ainst slavery in the alb
sraC fatally bent It's restriction and destruction
though they thereby should desoate our fields, desc
crate our affairs and cause the blood of both races OF
our people to flow in rivers! Such philanthropy is
both tancul and ferOcious, and must gall and lrrl
tute and may, to q certain extent, alarm sore. But
believe we need not apprehend much danger to our
personal rights or political institutions. Occasionally
demagogues may sway popular or legislative major
ties against But it only be for season, and
short season. For, in every part of our beloved
country there are men, and, | trust many men, o
sound heads and sound hearts, who able al
we TO understand and explain the constitution anC
calculate the value of the Union as Justly. Suct
men must have great influence in society, however i
may be constituted, and will assuredly instruct, per
Suade, and lead back the masses to due regard fo
the constitutional rights of their fellow ctzens-no
less their fellow citizens because living far apart
tor muttudes, proverbially prone to change, neVe
DO so more readily, than when under the guidance
Of wise and good men, they can retreat from an ex
IRENE wrong, and escape from the domination o
those who dishonesty led them into it, The YER
excess of the error ensures its speedy perception
and more perfect reaction | believe we shall b.
one people again In good feeling; and therefore
cherish the spirit of brotherhood even towards those
who may now seem 10 hold it in the least respect
and in that only sympathise, am sure with tn
great bulk of my fellow citizens at home
On the remaining point, on which the interests O
agriculture, and, indeed, of all other employment
depend-namely, the facility of transportation, hav
n otter to all North Carolinians heartfelt Congratu
iiahons. The carriage of bulky and cheap article
long distances in wagons over bad roads, was
great drawback on the profits of capital and labo
Tor long time here. Some reliefin particular part
OF the State was derived from even the imperfect i'm
PFoVement made in the navigation for boats on ley
81 our rivers. But it was far below the wants an
demands of the people, and afterwards resort was ha
10 Railroads. The wonders worked by steam, an
railways indeed astonishing throughout the world
IN no part of it they be more requisite or bene
neral than in this State, the extent OF which and tn
want of navigable waters at only a short dstanc
from the sea, rendered them Indispensable Ever
one, therefore, ought to commend the legislative poll
Cy IN providing them, and in extending them fror
ume 10 time as the funds of the State may be fOun
adequate 1t will not trust, be going out of tn
way while on this subject, to say word in honor
Inc memory of great and good man, who first pre-
'ened the utility and construction of Railroads TO th
notice and patronage of this State. allude 10 tn
heV. Dr. Joseph Caldwell, the late eminent and yea
GUS president of the University. Upwards of thirt
years ago he visited Europe on the business of tn
college. and there saw such roads in use; and 500