New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-11-06
REOPENING OF THE SLAyE-RADE-THE
PRICE OF SLAVES.
From The Char!oton Standard, OF Is.

(hdTItsfoH
We come now to meet the argument that the slave
trade woud reduce the value of slaves. We like this
argument 1t is clear of the maudlin philanthropy
which So much eDbauasses discussion on the sub.
iect II assumes in theory what We assert in practice
that Slavery right and only renders it necessary for
US to discuss the policy of the measure we propose
and the question of policy is very much more tangible
In the humble sphere in which it has pleased over
ruling Providence to put Us to work, We can tell with
olerabe certainty in what way can work the best
but when we undertake rather to plan than TO exc
cute to transcend our sphere, and say rather what
ought to be done than how are 10 do il; to estab-
sh relations that have. perhaps no existence In ms
ture, and square and shape the world to theoretical
conceptions of what ought 10 be, VIC usurp province
which has not been assigned TO u, and infinitely null
tply the chances Of our being rather wrong than
rights but this question of the influence of slavetrade
upon the present vested interests of the country i
right practical; ard while more easy OF solution. will
determine, We think, correctly what 10 the proper
course to be pursued. M,
The ralue of sdces-that is in fact, the object OF 1t
but II pW not necessarily d,msnih the ralae Of star:
laJor. The man who owns hundred slaves would
raise a. much rice cotton, or sugar or hemp or
cereal products as he now rsises. The value might be
reduced but doub, this. Ii the accessions Of
slave labor should be rapid there would perhaps be
temporary reduction but for all these products the
wants Of the world will increase In proportion to the
supply With any amount Of labor they will necessa-
ry be limited by the suited 10 their production,
and until that be covered, and forever aerwsrd
the foreign demand will, IN all reasonable probability,
keep us probably employed.
But if slaves are brought 10 US in abundance, there
would the possibility Of employing them ia other
collateral pursuits. They cannot now be employed in
farming, mechanical and manufacturing operations,
because the r labor upon plantations would purchase
such products of foreign labor cheaper than they
produce them. Slave labor il in fact dearer than
Tie free labor of older countries, and if turned into
.t.sl. nj h..ra NIL
sils farming implements, end certain specie. of
garden and farming products i, could not be sold n
The markets of the world even 10 our own markets.
as cheap the free Iahof Of other countries and
now do not turn it into such products, for the
that if they did they would certainly fail and failure,
so far has in fact, marked every effort of such
petition But if il cheap cheaper than free labor
could be rendered and we have every reason 10 be-
lieve il would BE- cheap; If the door TO lis coming
were thrown open, then such competition would be-
come possible and profitable. We have enterprise in
abundance. Enough has been thrown away on efforts
where there opportunity Of success TO have en-.
rcbed snother people This enterF rise would be called
into action The white men IN the country who have
DO hope but Of labor now, would become proPrietors
Each individual int, gence would see the road to
cess in lines of business and enIaing itself upon
the slave would work il out II s prooable that the
slaves when they came, would not all 60 into agrcu-
iule il is probable that they would Immediately
branch into other fields Of effort, aud that the country
would nM6 dia.ely come 10 be developed into rounded
system OF employments.
IT, therefore slaves should be broush, into the coun
tiy in such abundance 10 reduce their price and all
were turned 10 agriculture, the only effet would BE-
that the planter would increase his force rapidly
than be does aud for the MONEY heh he iees for
one rouid BE- atie 10 purchase ro. The accumulation
of wealth in that employment would then be more Dos
sible than il now is; aad as there are few who bold
slaves rather for their value than their income there
are few who would rot IN this spec. Of the lee
lie benefited by the change. But it Is probable that
ssy.s in oc,uIg would te made TO branch. There is
noion that he unified for anything else than ari-
culture but 81 is notion unscstained by the slightest
b foundation Branching into other enterprises
bsse would give the PLANTER ioesl market for many
of tie products which ne soncs abroad. They would
increase by that mach the oonsaOIaion Of the world
and thus pssin the value of plantation producu rhey
would give TIE planter the psodaet: Of collateral Ia
Dor cheaper than II could come TO him from abroad
and whether the slaves still continued in ascu.
trIs pursuits as they would be- if hose should continue
the moe, profitable turned ont to competition
With free labor elsewhere IN manufacturing AID ne
chsIes 81 eu erprsc- they roud tend to bring the re-
,ssIces oi re county Ito pIay. rsey would give )