Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-09-01
From Burtts CitIep Of the wold.
THE FARMING AND PLANTATION SYS
TEN IN THE SOUTHERN STATES.

We have noted in a series of articles, certain
signs in the Southern States indicating tho work
ing of new convictions in reference to the economy
Of slave labor We have adverteA to the eypedi-
cnt, which is now being more and more extensive
y adopted, of raising the productive capacity of
that labor, by bringing to bear upon it some of
those stmuants that operate upon free working
men. We have endoavored to show that the south
ern planters, farmers and manufactures'c c1uld not
find on the globe labor better adapted to their eli
mate, and other local circumstances, than that
which they now employ. provided it were emanci.
pated aud brought under all the incentives and
impulses that pertain to the condition Of freedom.
We will now proceed to notice another radical
change which we arc happy to believe, is coming
to be regarded indispensable to the true prospe
rity Of the South. The system Of Slavery has
broken up, in that section Of the Union, the funda-
mental conditions Of democratic society. and crea'
ted disparties between small number of the white
population and the great mass, which are incom-
patibe with the general good. Not only the po-
litcal power but the ownership and cultivation Of
the land have been absorbed by kind of olgar-
chy; thus making the progress and development
of the cunntry depend upon the capacity or cap
rice OF very small number Of its inhabtants.-
We fully persuaded that, either under slavery
or under freedom, the plantation system Of the
Southern States is and must be most detrimental to
their true interests While this system exists, they
never can have anIntegent yeomanry they never
can have those conditions of society which make
inc strength ana glory Oh inc Free ottes W tho
North never can have n coherent, enlightened and
virtuous population, which schools and churches
and other educational and religious institutions,
within the reach of all, rich and poor; they never
can have their vast region Of country brought fu
! ly under cultivation, drained and rendered safe
residence for people of all climates. We know
not if these lines shall be read by any persons
living south of Mason and Dxon's Line; if they
should find their way to Southern eye, we are
confident that their truthfulness and Justice vii!
be clearly seen. In our recent tour through that
portion Of the Union, we found persons ready to
admit and to deplore these facts. The plantation
system is an Institution Of slavery, and is one OF
the cluster Of evils which that great curse has pro-
lduced. There are millions Of ihe white popula-
ton of the South who see the mischief of work
ling upon their interests. Look at its first opera
[tion. II divides district Of country sufficient
10 make 500 farms Of 100 acres each, among ten
large owners or planters. Thus. 500 900 acres OF
land are subjected to the control and capacity OF
these ten mon. whose estates join each other. Per'
lhaps few ignorant. poverty.stricken white men
may ''squat" down in miserable cabins in these in
terstcs or corners of these plantations and CLEAN
La bare subsistence from the little patches OF land
Iailowed Them. and from bunting 6shing. &c. Now,
just look Of the relations and intercourse OF the
two extremes occupying this district. Here are
ten great planters, on one hand, each owning nm
lests,e averaging S oco acres On the other band,