The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-23

found in the conditions to which we have re-
ferred. The famine in Ireland was produced
primarily by political causes. It's origin is to
be seen in the laws Of the kingdom-laws which
have been long operating, moulding the mind
and entailing fruits Of ignorance, starvation
and death. Political causes are a fruitful
source Of disease. During the Reign of Ter
ror in France, cancers Of the stomach became
epidemic and carried Off thousands.
1t is interesting to look to the returns of the
census before us from Georgia, Alabama and
Florida, central slave States, and altogether
fair representatives Of the members of the fed
eral Union, which recognise that institution.
Their deaths are but tribe over one per cent
something less than half the deaths in proper
ton to their inhabitants that are returned in
England, about two-fifths less than in France,
two-thirds less than in Russia, and about five
eighths less than in Prussia. II the preserve
ton Of life is test Of the operation and effect
of the educational, political and social systems
of the world, and men are to be judged by the re-
suits, we do not see how the philanthropst can
complain of the relation Of master and slave in
the Southern States Of the Union, under this
showing Nor does this initiate at all against the
hypothesis suggested, that education, moral in
struction, and independence are preservatives
of life. In all these regards the slave popula-
ton of the South are in advance of the popu-
lations Of Europe. There are no people whose
minds are in more freedom--who are less re
quired to look to the future for support.
The great proportion of deaths in the new
States of the West over those just named, is
readily accounted for in the fact that labor is
there more exposed and much more severely
taxed. The emigrant works alone, is exposed
to every privati0n, and often impairs his con-
stitution.
If we are permitted to refer to practical re-
suits in connection with the views presented,
it is seen that under our system, despite the I'M
favorable circumstances alluded to- the saving
of human life has been, taking England as a
standard, in round numbers two hundred and
fifty thousand persons yearly. All this we at
tribute to the direct influence of our institu-
tions, the moral and religious education of our
people, their freedom, their competence, their
abundant supplies of food-in short, to the
generalpea and contentment which so distin-
guish our great central agricultural popula-
tions.
If we descend to details, it is enough to re-
fer to the history of Illinois, even, for the last
ten years. 1t had been regarded as inaccessa-
ble-its great interiors were buried beneath the
richest soil and the most boundless capabilities
of production that the world ever saw. Rail-
roads haye brought them to the light, and sub
jected them to the hand of the cultivator.
Illinois to-day is pressing her competitors,
Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, for the en-
pire of production. In reaching her present
proud position she has passed through her age
Of disease and death. Her army Of laborers
has drained her marshes, renovated her soils,
acclimated her populations, and secured the
comforts Of home.
To the philosopher, the patriot, and the true
pbilanthropist, these census papers are full of
encouragement and of hope. They speak
loudly in behalf Of the United States, vindi-
cate, and almost consecrate, their policy and
fruits.