Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-12-22

by efficient laws is towards that point when capital
is all powerful and when labor can only bargain for
bare subsistence. What this condition means, the
reader will find briefly depicted in extract which
we copy this morning from the last number of the
North British Review. We who live in the midst of
a hardy and cheerful slave population, find it diff
cult to realize such of things as is there pre-
sented But there is too much testimony to its truth
to allow to doubt it. Is =
The feudal system of the Middle Ages the ie-
climate of the slave system of the Greeks
and Romans. 1t bound the proprietor to take
of his dependents. Capital claims more from the
laburer than ever the master claimed from his slave
or the feuda lord from his serf and it acknowledges
no obligation in return. The bargain ceases the in
slant the aborer has lost his power of working the
machinery. 10 this point British labor has finally
arrived and the result is graphically pictured in the
extracts from the North British Review.
Charleston Mercury.
From tt e North British Review for November.
The RURAL POPULATION OF ENGLAND.
Have we not come upon very paradise of rural
seclusion? is it not a spot to be chosen by those
who are intending to while away existence among
the never-tring sweets of country life? But let
US step on little way, and overtake the group of
children that is just now crossing the common.--
Alas yet should not refrain from expressing
sad feelings which the first sight of these infant
shadows has awakened? feelings heightened by
contrast for lately making way thro
fourth class street, where the prime necessities of
life are amply provided for Besides, if we look
second time at these shrunken forms-such is the
benehcence of the Creator-we that childhood
will have its smiles, its laugh, its gambolS, under
conditions even the most toriorn. Moreover, there
is, notwithstanding that famshed, watery look
there is, taking the group altogether-thee is air
oil pure rustIclty-there Is an Innoce ,cC, compara-
lively, and modest proprlcty-there is respectful
ness IN their style and department which is greatly
in their favor when thought of in comparison with
the bold, unreverental saucness OF the infant Her.
culeS OF man featuring towns.
But look these untortuuatcs-thei infant serfs of
neglected rural district! Look at them physolog-
ally-observe their lank colorless hair screening
the sunken eye, and trailing upon the bony neck
look at the hollow checks, the candle-ike arms, and
the unmuscular shanks which serve the young
chins for legs But not these children breathing
a pure atmosphere? Are they not natures own?
Yes, but there is one thing wanting to thcm--one
omirous word clears up the mystery. Starvation
Not, indeed, such starvation brings the sorrows
OF a sad lot to speedy end but such drags Its
pining sutferingS out, through the overshaduwed
years of childhood and youth; through those spas
modc years of manhood during which the struggle
to exist wears an aspect of rugged rgor and then
through that residue of early decreptude, haggard,
bent Idotlkc, which is indeed unblessed cnd of
an unbeSSed existence. This rural population does
pretty we'll if the father be able bodied and sober,
and the mother managing, through the summer
Son of wheat hueing, haymakng, and VIII, at har-
vest that is to say, when the labor of the mother
and her children in to swell little the week
ly wages. During these weeks something of needed
clothing is obtained, rent is paid up and pittance
of animal food, weekly, is added to the bread and
the tea, and the potato of the seven months diet.
1t would be doing a wrong to worthy farmer
friends. and to the rural sporting gentry, to affirm
that these miseyables actually dying of want
No, they not dying, so inquests must be held
before they may be buricd-would to God th,v were
they are the iiving-they living to show what
extremities men, women and children may endure,
md yet die; or what they hold to be worse not
@ betake themselves to " the union!" But how do
hese same men, women and children pass five
months of the year? Gladly would one find them
,urled round like hedgehogS, and hybernating in
hollow trees in rabbit burrows lost consciousness
We should, indeed, count it miracle if, on May
morning, we were to see group of human beings |
tart up alive from the sward, along with the paigus
md the cowsps. But is it much less than mira |
lie to see the people of depressed rural district
topping alive out of the winter months?
X X
The instances are extremely rare in which those
vho were born the SOIL and destined to the plough
Use above their native level. Such instances-two
hree, tve-might be hunted up if agriculru- |
al county ransacked for the purpose; but the
gricultural laborer, even il he had the brain and
he ambition requisite, and II otherwise he could eff
ect it. would seldom bring with him that which the
ocial mass into which he might rise, especially
eeds namely, fully developed and robust BODY
leantime, what is it that is taking place in hun
reds of instances, and every day, Throughout the
ntire area of the manufacturing rcgiou? Men, well
ut together, and with plenty of bone, and nerve,
nd brain, using with an intense ardor those oppor-
lnlIleS OF advancement winch aUOunu IN these
pheres of enterprise and of prosperous achievement
such mt found to be making themselves heard
among their betters, are well dressed before !
hey reconcile themselves to the wearing of gloves;
y rapid advances they winning for themselves
place in society-a place which, indeed, they well
eserve; and there they are doing what they had
OF thought of-they regenerating the mass with.
which they have been received
A BIRDS EYE VlEw.-A Washington correspond
1t of the Boston Post furnishes the following inter-
sting items:
Mr.. Humphrey Marshall of Kentucky, is doing his
EST to defeat the election Of Gen. Cullom (as Clerk
I'd procaims the eternal political destruction ofany
outhern man who votes for him. His election
US Mr.. Marshall, would be a rebuke to a Southern |
for defeating man for Congress who
,trayed their interests at hour when every
outhern in Congress should have stood I'D for
e Nebraska bill. This opposition of Mr. Marshall
calculated to endear Mr.. Cuom Still stronger to
e anti-Nebraska North, and - ay benefit instead of
jure his prospects
Mr.. Humphrey Marshall, 1 may say, is emphati-
lily the leader of the Southern Know Nothings.
ID his opinion is entitled to great weight. He says $
at the Democrats of the House have by their NOM
alton of such as Mr. Richardson and the ar L
mt manner in which they have stood up for him,
ade their next President, and that Kentucky will :
tie for the Democratic candidate
Mr.. Haven of New York, by his course in voting
every ballot for some northern man instead of A
e choice of the southern know-nOthings has blight
the prospects of Mr.. Fillmore in the south for the
xt Presidency. DIR. Haven, it is known occupies
position of the right hand man of Mr. Fillmore
Iced, every time the takes snuff the other 7
eezes. AT one time he was considered national b