Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-09-16
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

"
The Number Of Shareholders in the United
States The Abolitionists make tone of the
most frequent Of their points of attack upon
slavery that the actual number of slavehold-
ers, as given by the census, is only about $780,
600, or one-seventeenth Of tho entire white
population Of the South, and that this 4" oil
garchy," while it does not represent the in
terests of the great mass Of the people, con-
trolls the action both of the State and Fede raj
Governments. In the first place, the $50, 900
slav sholders represent nearly an equal mum
Der of families, all the members of which have
an go ual degree of interest in slavery. Now,
the result will be 100000, or about one third
of the .'tal white population who have direct
interest in the institution. OF the remainder
a large number are indirectly interested, in
somuch as though, at present, they may be
too poor, or other circumstances may prevent
them from owning slaves, yet they entertain
the hope and reasonable expectation of being
sble, at some future period, to possess them
selves of this species Of property. There is
another class of persons who, possibly without
the des irc to own slaves, yet regard slavery it.
self as valuable politica and alinsttut on,
and therefore feel the same desire for it's preser
walton IS if they were pecuniarily concerned
There is yet another class, still more numerous,
who from motives common to human nature,
such as we cannot approve, yet at tho same
time canuot severely condemn, as man is con-
stituted, esteem their own freedom, in the
language Of Burke, Gas a privilege and IN
enjoyment" contrasted with tho condition of
the servile class below them. The humblest
certain dignity Of character, that where there
are slaves he is not at the foot of the social
ladder, and his own status is not tho lowest
in the community. This feeling does not
make him regard labor generally as degra-
ding, but only mental labor, such as a free
man could not perform without loss of self.
respect. No Southern man could be induced
to black bis employers boots or attend at his
table, while he might not have the slightes.
objection to work in the field or in the shop
even by the side of the negro.
1t will be perceived, then, that although
the actual number of shareholders is only
about $50 600, the entire Southern comuu.
nifty is, directly or indirectly, pecuniarily or
for social, moral or political reasons, interest
ed in tho preservation Of slavery.
1t may be that shareholders influence and
control the policy of the local, and, to a certain
extent, Of the General Government, but we do
not perceive that this is disparagement to
them unless it be proved that they acquire or
use their power uDjustly. On the contrary, it
is creditable to them that they have the char
actcr to acquire and tho talents to wield this
influence. If they rule their fellows, it is
not by divine right, or because they are priv.
legged by the laws so to do, but because they
have honorably won their positions by the
gifts of nature, or by superior culture. The
road to honors and prefernent is closed to
mono to anx greater extent in the South than
in the North, and humble talents may there,
as elsewhere, secure their appropriate reward
Shareholders Of the South have not been
the least distinguished of the great men who
have illustrated the annals and conferred
glory upon our common country: They may
fairly claim to have contributed their full
share to the national reputation, whether by
deeds Of arms or by peaceful achievement in
the legislative hall, the forum, the cabinet, or
tho moro retired walks Of literature
Neutrality-suspicious. days ago we were in
formed by several gentlemen, who had ar.
rived from Nicaragua direct, that General
Walkers prospects were growing brighter aud
brighter, and that there was no doubt what.
soever OF his ultimate triumph over enemies
within and foes without tho borders of that
Central American military republic The
newspaper accounts, however, as late as the
18th Of August, are not so encouraging to the
friends Of the enterprise in which Walker is
engaged, AMI now it is said {" his fate is soon
to be decided by battle" At Greytown
there was no scarcity of rumors, which, wo
arc informed, "must be received with extreme
caution !" and among them arc the following
"Guatemala is said to be advancing with
a 600 men under Carrera, and Costa RIGA as
notified her intention of again trying her for
tune under The same commander. Rivas still
holds his position at Leon with 700 men, and
is fortifying its outposts If doserters arc to
be believed, Walker position at the present
is very critical, to say the least"
1t is stated, with much parade, that General
Walker is from time to time receiving recruits
from this country, and now an agent of his,
Colonel Young, is in cur neighborhood-
Naturalization the purpose of encouraging
emigration to and securing material aid in
behalf Of Nicaragua-in continuation of his
mission in other cities. From this it is rea.
aonable to infer that the native population are
either unfit for soldiers, or are not enthusias.
tic in the support of the measures which be
has inaugurated; hence the military power
necessary to uphold his cause must be drawn
from the United States, which, owing to the
divisions Of the inhabitants, places his move.
ment in the light of an attempted conquest