New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-09-25
SLAVERY BETTER THAN FREEDOM.
THE WRONG OF FREE EMIGRATION.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
We have been appointed by Convention OF citizens
Of Missouri mainly representing that portion OF the
State lying contiguous 70 tie Territory of Kansas,
20 lay before you some suggestions upon topI'
which vitality concerns our State, and which, 1t Il De
Eeved nav 10 serious extent affect the general wei
fare OF our country.
We propose TO discharge this duty by concise aud
CANDID exposition of facts touching cur condition and
its bearing upon Kansas accompanied with such re-
fectiors as the facts naturally suggest.
Tha, portion of Missouri which borders on Kansas
contains, as yearly as can now be ascerraned, pop
ula,ion Of ffv thousand slaves, and their estimated
value at the prices prevailing here, Is about twenty
I've millions Of dollars IA the whole State contains
but about one hundred thousand slaves, It will De
seen that onehaf Of the entire slave population OF
Missouri is located in the eighteen counties bordering
on Kansas the greater portion OF Which is separated
from that Territory by no natural boundary, ana Is
within days ride Of the line. This psr, Of our state
is distinguished by uniform fertility Of soil, 'sm'
perate and healthful climate, and populsaon pro-
crossing rapidly in all the elements that constitute
prosperous community. Agriculture is in most
fourishing condition. ami the towns and villages
which have sprung up indicate steady progress to-
II,
Nor have the HIGHER interests of education, religion
and science been neglected; but common schools and
spectabe Institutions OF higher grade and churches
ofevery Christian det oninaiOn are our lin every coun
tv. The great staple of this dstT; is hemp although
tobacco. and com, and wheat are also lsryely pro
duced. The culture of hemp has been found prodta
ble-more so than cotton in the South; aud this fact
with the add one ones that almost every foot of land
within the counties alluded to IS wonderfully adapted
by nature TO it's production in greater quantities and
frer qualities, and at smaller cos., than in any other
State in the Union ard that the climate s such as to
norrr the Growers of this article 10 reside their es
a,es will readily expsin and account for the unexam-
pied growth of the country. Already 1t constitutes the
most debsey populated portion OF our state, ana its
liable fertility Of soil and general salubrlty OF
climate with the facilities for outlet furnished by no.
bic river running through its midst and two grea rail-
roads destined soon TO traverse its upper AID lower
borders will render it at distant period If LEI; M
disturbed as desirable and hourishng district &c ear
be found in the Mississippi Valley.
Az inea has to some extent prevailed abroad that
Missouri contained but very small slave populaIon,
and Ii at the perIDa1ence OF this INSTITUTION mere was
Threatened BY the existence OF az least respectable
minority of her ciizeDs ready and anxious TO abolish
IT, and that only slight external pressure was neces-
ssry 10 accomplish this purpose. We regret that tins
oujIon has 20 some extent received cOuntenance from
the publication and patroI age OF Journals IN our cont
Without however going into any eIplaaat0n OF po-
cal parties here, which would be entirely foreign to
our purpose we think il proper to state that the dea
above alluded 10 unfOunded and that no respectable
pary can be found in this State, outside OF ST. Louis
Irepared 10 embark D any such schemes. In that
civ constituting the grea: outlet Of our commerce as
well IS tha, OF several other States and Territories
will lot seem surprising that Its heterogeneous popu
ation should fuIIiAh oohold for the widest and
mot visionary projects. s.. Louis was, however
renreseDted in our Convention, and II s not thought
uIwarsntable to assume that the resolutions adopted
bv this bOoy have received the cordial approbaaon
of a large and influential portion OF her citizens
Other counties besides ST. Louis, outside o. the DIS
trict TO which our observations nave been pnncpaly
directed were also represented by delegates ana had
not the OF the year. the snort boIee OF s ~
tended session and the locality where the Convention
was held-remo,e from the center of the State-pre-
vented We doubt not that delegates from every county
OF Upper Mississippi and Lower Mississippi couenes are As
deeply though ea directly Interested In this question as any
heartily in the sentiment. and sctiOns OF Western Missouri
Ever the southwest port Ct our stat tom the oa3e 70
sbe meetings Indicate the entire and active syn
patty Of their people From the general tone Of ths public
pres rhout the state amsr inference il dsducb and
feel wsraned IN asserting general II not INFAMOUS
ten Tboee PRINCIPLES sle embodied in series Of resolution
appended this address and which We are happy to say were
.6opied with entire unsny by body representing every
shade political opinion to be found n the ne Of our 5sIe
These facts are conclusive Of the condition q pas
IN Missouri The prooebl iies Of changes mere IN re
the question slavery essentially fefent from "ht
suSb Isrsrce to The census show. thst M.sour
double the number OF Arkansas, nearly double the nuoer o.
Texas and about az equal namoer with Hs-J aLd. - -,
Thee facts eted with 70 proper nncers 'ndns
OF cur position the settlement o. Kansas sd M
legitimate necessary interest felt IN the progress sc cns
scteI Of ~ sS - Icb N.or, wa, .b,o W MO an
isolated position the question Of slavery aud
made 50 ary exception TO gepers rue her sonaIn 70 re-
geographical line which CoDsres had hxed the terminus
Southern institutions was truly unenTlsbe WIN Two STATES
or ber northern and border in MANY portions Of which
IN. Coputior the United States, and The Fu9ne Save
Law passed pursuance thereof were known 20 be ~ inei
acious for protection Of rights they would nave been
~ az Causs II was lett the will Of Congress- BY
forcing the restriction Of 1870 10 cut Missouri on sos eney
Gom Ell territorial connection with STATES having in,tn2ns
cor geus her and with pop1silons seoy ana wiring
20 protect and defend them No G;eIIise W" sls 70 l'
boy repesl th restriction and ls ZEE 20 20 ne Son
tuition ard the laws Of nsture the settlement Of our tsrrores
or BY Ie''1s Are. ssTn.ye had 70 be Seiscted would
haze act Of charity 'rd mercy 70 tHs Ns
,b.ir homes or mAru.attng selling their slaves to 1--WE
them ample time mine between the ssrnee q my ~
hors OF slave properly ery M sons OF anded ests u
, ston would have been preferable to indirect eg'slon,
essips 70 the result and The entoFceent OF ne est
ssysTy Ia M.our But Congress seted more wisely aswe
tpk and greater fidelity TO the Conftuon and tas
TIE history Of the K,rs.NetE bill known to the
country. IL abolished ne tecglapnie! hls vi -
con tuiional and ast principe waca !ei n he sste.o
th errtoes sdop sush tomsse institutions az s1iteH
htIn.eIves Ii there principle es1aA:eo % com
snd self 10 al reasonable men and reconce a. ccnc4ps
rs-- ri. you d - the IL the principe
~ veIeisnty-the b4ss pou which Independence
RAJ been schieyec-sud therefore supposed 70 De @
dear TO a. Americans, Of every st;nde sAd every 49,
.,,te was 10, attained. Toe Abot!onss and the- sles
moved heaven sd earth .ccon rs deea anc tIn
p-cees-fu they therefore Despair Ou--goed 4 on
rr.s receiving from ths xec ave my fetTe
n hsr and strange 20 gay taey p'l 60
a. ancient ana respectable CoG Of tas ~. r.
70 con Inence her severe 20 cspeeity 80 ol1 "H
he means and mposns s'u'ude lnco9ni . slch l-n
1880, sssins Slavery mover u IL cArt:tei rofe tnLs a
ia fture and likely BE- fsts n rs Consequence tAsn
ali the fsnsiies movements hitherto attenptsd % ne sP
ns.r,ncs Of AbonolisIa poilca< ps-y 70 -S>' ihsJ
nted and usiusd scheme never bsioe beard o. no9en
- eontry tie OBJ sc AID eject Of whi.h % cvafe
hs rrfupe Of TIE Ksuss SebrssSA BIZ. snt n heu o.
uorinieTyenon by Congress a,e active rter'enn %