The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-06-01
THE TRIBUNE ON VIRGINIA.

curses on slavery and the South, has in its
issue of the cath, a jeremeiad, which we sub
Join. To some of its statements, we will more
particularly reply hereafter.
We are by nothing more astonished in this
strange and bewildering world, than by the
absence of an enlarged and liberal vision in
educated and rejecting men. No amount ofln-
tellectual culture and scholarly requirements
seems sufficient to free men from the infiu-
ence of early impressions and the chains OF
prejudice and bigotry, and enable them to
comprehend and to make allowances Tor
those who differ from them. Whatever is
not In accordance with their notions of po-
litics, religion, philosophy, or happiness
F. must necessarily be wrong The New Eng
lander is taught from his cradle to believe
that slavery is the source of all sorts OF So
cial evils, and even long residence IN tne
cosmopolitan city of New York, fails to
change his opinions. Year after year, we see
in free soil journals, the same doleful oe-
scriptions of the poverty and stagnatlon
which slavery has caused in the South OF the
blight and ruin, the decay and desolation that
prevail around US. On one account we are
glad to see these pictures. They Will prevent
such people as read free soil Journals, from
ever coming to Virginia. But doubtless IL
will astonish these editors when we say that
the compassion which they sometimes IN an
amiable mood, profess to feel for the slave
ridden population of the South, affects US
somewhat like the sorrow expressed by the
sailor 10 storm for the people on shore, with
the wind blowing the chimney tops about
their heads! Abolition editors will regard
It as another of the devilish consequences OF
slavery, that it blinds the eyes of people to
their own want and restitution, so that they
are unable to see the akedness OF the land,
as abolitionists can, and imagine themselves
quite happy and comfortable, when in fact
they are poor and miserable. Wherever We
look we see fields waving with plenty,
dwellings filed with smiling faces tables
grooming with abundance, kind and indulgent
masters, and a contented and cheerful SerVile
population. We know the superficial grounds
on which Northern Cockneys assume thepo-
verify ofthe South. Our railroads run through
cur poorest and most barren regions, and
hence Cockney on his travels, sets down the
whole South as poor and barren. The peo'
pie live in plain, old fashioned houses, dress
in plain clothes, and hence COckney jumps
to the conclusion that they are poverty
stricken race.
In a straw hat and suit of jeans, many
Southern gentleman may be found, who has
received the most liberal education the coUn-
try can afford, whose mind is stored and pol
ished by books, travel and intercourse with
mankind, and whose annual income could
purchase the entire real and personal estate
of Cockney and his ancestors for twenty
generations. This class of persons excites
only the ineffable contempt Of the discern
ing tourist, as poor folk, who can't afford
to wear broadcloth, and splurge, as Cockney
can, on the wretched pittance that keeps his
small body and more diminutive soul to-
gether.
What do they mean by our poverty and
dilapidation Haven't We enough to eat
and drink Whilst 20, 900 of the people of
New York city live on charity, and other
Northern cities in like proportion, we have
scarcely pauper among us. Look at the
men of the South, tall, broad shouldered and
vigorous place them by the. side of the city's
"pale abortions," and don't they show their
keeping? Our negroes, fat, sleek, in prime
physical and moral condition, what a con.
trast to the emaciated free negroes of the
Five Points Behold the hospitality Of the
South in the rural districts, the elegant and
overlooking hospitslity-a hospitality not ex-
ceeded in any part of the world. How does
that consist with your ideas of poverty and
desolation?
We shall give some facts and figures here
after in reply to the Tribune's statements
In the meantime, there is something very lu-
dcrous to US in the COckney people plying
the want and restitution of the South
Poor creatures Seventy thousand of them
acknowledged paupers I'VE believe there
were hundred thousand of them fed last
winter by the hand of public charity j
two or three hundred thousand of them
poor laborers and artisans, and wretch
ed sewing girls, living from hand to mouth,
and not certain, when to days sun sets, of
Tomorrow breakfast the New York pa
pers begging and beseeching multitudes Of
them to go away and dig, go to the West, 90
to Kansas, go to the old boy, go any where
that will relieve New York of the redundant
population which the Tribune considers such
a blessing. Then there are a hundred thou
sand Cockneys, perhaps more, whose utmost
sxertions barely enable them to buy shiny
suit from the tailor, and board with some
fashionable old lady, who gives them dry
toast and rancid butter for break fast, and
scraggy joint for dinner. Then remains the
upper ten thousand wallowing in luxury,
which proceeds from slave labor and South
ern cotton fields.
Intelligent journals, like the n Y Tribune, |
instead Of exciting Cockney to an idea of SUI
periority over others, ought to teach him
that all is not gold that glitters; that clothes |
do not make the man that long rows of
Aashy, unsubstantial houses have not vet
converted New York into big, powerful, solid
London that vulgar millions;raS nh -