davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25
Total of natives of the old States in !
the new Free States l,2l9044

Total OF natives OF the old states IN
the new Free States I,2l9,O44
Do. do. in new 81 ave States 1862
The old Slave States in 1850 contained an
aggregate white population, in round numbers,
of 2,7OO,OOO, or 3l.s6 to the square mile; the
old Free States, population of about $500, 900,
or 60 to the square mile and yet this table
shows that the emigration from the former is
nearly as large absolutely as from the latter /;
in other words, that the emigration from the
old Slave States was nearly three times greater,
in proportion to its population, than from the
old Free States; for while the latter were repre-
scented in the new States by 1882 of their
natives, the latter, with population not one
third as large, was represented by 903,5l2 of
their natives!
Now, why is it that these Slave States, con-
tanning an aggregate area, $1,000 square miles
larger than the aggregate area of the Free
States, surprising them in climate, and at
least equalling them in soil, wster-power, min
eral resources, and all natural capabilities,
with white population not one-third as large,
and not one-fourth 80 dense, should send out
nearly as many emigrants to new States and
Territories a? What other reasons can be as
signed, but the exhausting nature of slave
labor, its inherent incompatibility with other
and productive modes of industry, and its op-
pressive bearing upon the masses of the Peo-
pie?
Shareholders seek the rich bottoms of the
new Slave States; their poor white neighbors
crowd into the new Free States. In 1852, for
example, Indiana furnished homes to thirty
three thousand persons who had been born in
North Carolina, and sixty-eight thousand born
in Kentucky-the great mass Of whom had
sought shelter in that Free State from the cp-
preston of system which, by excluding free
labor to great extent, must drive out free
lsboring population.
Look again at the table, and see how Free
Soil attracts the tide even of home emigra.
ton: l,2l9,000 natives of the old States in
the Free West, and only $50, 900 in the Slave
West-the old Free States sending nearly a
million of their sons to the Free West, and only
$4,000 to the Slaveholdng West-while 300, 900
natives of the old Slave States seek their homes
on Free Soil. And yet the Slaveholding West
has an area 200, 900 square miles larger than
that of the Free West, (even embracing within
the latter the whole of California; and is equal
to it in all natural attributes.
Facts like these speak trumpet.tongued for
Free Soil and Free Labor. They show that
the instincts of the American People are in
favor of them-that their necessities require
them-that Slave Labor exhausts the soil, dis
courages Industry, Expresses and drives into
exile the poor freeman, checks population, i'm
pairs the power of the State, and is detested
and Stunned by four-ffths of the American
People.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25
THE MOVEMENTS OF OUR HOME P0PU-
LATI0N.

The brief abstract of the Census of 1850,
prepared by Mr.. Kennedy, contains no table
more interesting than that of the nativitiss of
the inhabitants of the several States. A care
full analysis of it will show the general course
of emigration within our borders, the compar-
alive migratory tendencies of the population in
different sections, how the ideas and institu-
tons of one section have been impressed upon
another, and how far inter migration has been
influenced by peculiarities of the social system.
1t iss remarked in the Abstract, that out of
7,736,792 free inhabitants, ALP, 433 have mi
grated, and settled beyond the States of their
birth; that 5000 natives of Virginia, equal
to rs per cent. of all its natives at the date of
the Census, 10000 of South Carolina, Sc per
cent, and 26l,575 of North Carolina, or 81 per
cent, were living in other States; and that
Vermont and Connecticut, of the Northern
States, have lost more by emigration than even
the States named, admitting the number of
slaves in the latter as an element of the calcu-
latior. But, we have prepared several tables
from the returns of the Census, which will be
found far more instructive.
Table LIST shows the number Of natives of the
slaveholding States, residing in 1850, in the
New England, the Middle, and the Free West
ern States; Table I'd, the number of natives of
the Free States residing in the Atlantic and in
the Gulf and Mississippi Slave States.
Natives of the Slave States in
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

Senator Jones, of Tennessee, in his speech
in the Senate last Thursday, abiding to what
he termed the irreconcilable difference of opin-
ion respecting the power of Congress to prohibit
Slavery in the Territories, said be knew no way
to decide that question but by an appeal to the
Supreme Court, which has the subject now
under consideration: by its decision he was
willing to abide, even though adverse to bis
opinions, and to what he regarded as the rights
and interests of his section. "Would the Re.
publican Party exhibit equal loyalty, SHOULD the
decision contravene their wishes and princi-
Piles 2"
The position of Mr.. Jones has a show of lib
srality, but moments consideration dispels
the Illusion. The Jvdgss.pf the Supreme Court
are men of like pss and infrmitiss with
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25
1857
Total, 208,998


Total 20S,889
The general course of emigration, under the
influences springing from soil and climate, is
from the North, southwardly; but these tables,
remarkably enough, show that our country
presents an exception, the course of emigration
being on the whole just the reverse. For, in
1850, while the North and West were represent.
ed in the South and Southwest by only 2O8, 900
inhabitants, the latter were represented in the
former by nearly three times that number.
This result of course is attributable to the same
migration from the Southern to the Norther,
and, Western States.
Wealth of soil and beauty of climate cannt
overcome the repellent influences of the system
of Slave Labor. Natives of the Slave Stasa
more readily adapt themselves to Free Labor
institutions than those of Free States dc 70
Slave Labor institutions.
The States of the South, in which p,olc
sentiment on the subject of Slavery is mos tol-
Grant, are Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, lou
isiana, Texas, Kentucky, and Missouri; aid in
these the proportion of natives of the Free aates
is largest, varying from one-eighth in Missouri,
to one-sixteenth and little upwards a the
rest. On the other hand, take the Sites of
the Free West, and you will find that I,diana,
Illinois, Iowa, and California, in With the
proportion of natives of Slave States is rgest
ranging from one,ffth to one-sixth, te Pro-
Slavery sentiment is most decided.
Our table, which follows, is still n,re sug-
gestive. 1t shows the number of nativs of the
old Free States and the old Slave Stats, i'm the
new Slave States and the new Free S,sss. We
mean by the old Free States, New highland,
New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylssia; by
the old Slave States, Delaware, Aryland,
Virginia, North Carolina, South Ca,iina, and
Georgia.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25
" AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A NEW ENGLAND
GIRL"

We shall commence in the next number the
autobiography Of NeD England Girl"
written for the Era by Martha Russell, the
author of the Diary" and "Eleanor South
mayd." 1t will equal, if not excel, those ad-
mirable productions.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

ASoUrHERN VIEW OF THE EXTENSION OF SIA.
vERY.-The Nashville (Tenn.) Banner of the
of the 18th instant says: =
"The extension of Slavery is of no such
vital Importance to the South at present, nor
can 1t be for generations to come, if ever.
II, IN the course of time, of centuries, it should
become a matter of vital Importance, of inex-
orable necessity, of life and death to- the
South, it will be effected In the Union, if the
Union lasts 80 long. But if it could not, il
would then be time enough to insist upon ex-
tension, even if a disruption of the Union
should be the eoussqususs."
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25
CLOSE OF THE TENTH VOLUME.

This is the last number of the tenth Volume
of the Era. We hope those of our subscribers
who have not yet, renewed their subscriptions,
will bear this fact in mind, and remit i'm
mediately, so as to prevent any interruption in
their files.
in some quarters, that the Era is to be discon-
tinued, for want of patronage; and friend
the other day wrote to US, saying that he had
postponed making up club of subscribers till
he had ascertained what truth there was in such
rumor. There is no truth in it. The Era,
as we have already remarked, is obliged to con-
tend against powerful competition, but its
real friends understand too well the importance
of the position it occupies, to suffer it to lam
guish. We thank them for their generous ef-
forts to keep up our subscription. In New
York, Pennsylvania, and the Western States
especially, have they shown themselves active
and earnest. As for New England, with some
exceptions, we cannot say so much.
As An illustration of the spirit which animates
many of our friends, and of the way in which
they are working for the. final success of the
Cause of Freedom, we may refer to two cases.
A citizen of Philadelphia, we'll known and high
ly esteemed, writes
81 will remit to thee fifteen dollars for ten
copies of the Erd-one for myself, the rest for
distribution in Pennsylvania at thy discretion
for the ensuing year, if agreeable to thee"
A gentleman in Keokuk, Iowa, who gave
literally during the late canvass for the circu-
lation of Republican documents writes to u.s.
believing the interests of Freedom and the
rights of man to be in the present crisis para
mount, dedicate to my country for four years,
and longer if necessary, at least 500 per an
mum, to be expended in difusing true Demo
cratic principles among misinformed or timid
voters in Pennsylvania. Use your own discre-
ton, but my plan would be to get the names of
say one or two honest, influential Democrats,
in each Pro-Slavery stronghold, and send them
the Era for the ensuing year. Such men could
not fail to be convinced, and would well repay
the effort"
Another enlightened Republican has adopted
similar course for Indiana.
Not many, it may be, are able to actsin this
way, but how many, by little effort among
their neighbors, might extend the circle of Re-
publican readers.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

16y- The space occupied by the Index, and
the speech of Mr.. Giddings, prevents the usual
variety in this number of the Era.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

bay The Editor of the Era will be at home
to his friends on New Years day, as usual.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25
WASHINGTON, d. c..
THURSDAY, DECEMBER rs, 1856.

Office, No. sol Serersth street, betioeen D and E.,
one square south of City Post Office.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

MARINE DIsAsTERs.-The Detroit Advertiser
publishes a list, two columns in length, of the
marine disasters which have been reported on
the Lakes since the LIST of September The list
is appalling, both in regard to the amount of
property which has been totally destroyed, and
the great loss of life by which it has been &C.
companied. The enumeration amounts alto.
gether to over two hundred vessels, many of
which, though not total losses, were nearly
equal to that in the amount of damages sustain.
ed by the vessels. The total losses are known
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

The GENEsEE FARMER-We commend to
the attention of our readers that cheap and ex.
cellent Monthly Agricultural and Horticultural
Journal, q notice of which will be found in our
advertising columns.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

S~ "Hor dignifed, Mr.. Bailey, don't you
think so P"-The unknown correspondent who
sends us this little comment on an article which
appeared last summer in the Era, ought to
know that it was nc. written by us, but was
printed during our absence, and that We re.
GREETED its appearance.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

Total estimate of loss on above $4,000
To this has to be added the cost of l42 other
losses IN damages, many of which would cost,
for repairs and for salvage, nearly as much
as half or two-thirds the value of the vessels.
Besides all this immense loss of vessels, we
have to add the valuable cargoes with which
many OF them were ladened, and freghts which
were worth double the value of the vessels. As
an instance, we need do no more than cite the
loss OF cargo which occurred from the destruc-
ton of the Toledo-the same gale that occa.
stoned her loss, also wrecking the Allegany and
the Globe, all propellers with cargoes of great
value. We think the cargo of the Toledo was
estimated as worth $40, 900 to $4,000.
Again, the loss of life has been extraordinary
1t is reckoned that about three hundred persons
have persisted during the season.
These lists not only exhibit the immense
wealth and the importance of the trade on the
lakes, but also the growth of that trade. It ia
not too much to say that the losses alone this
season are equal in value to nearly the whole
of the marine employed on these lakes ten wears
ago.
The case of bred Scot, now being argued be.
fore the Supreme Court at Washington. involves
the constitutionality of the Missouri Compro.
mise and the power of Congress to prohibit
Slavery in Territory, in the following manner !:
Scott is the son of slave woman belonging to
an army officer, who moved with his family and
his slaves into the Territory where, by the Mis-.
souri, Compromise, Slavery was prohibited.
There Scott was born, but was afterwards car.
ried back to Missouri, and is now held therein
as a slave. He sues for his freedom, on the
ground that he was born free, BY virtue of the
Missouri Prohibition. The case has been before
the Supreme Court year or more, and was
argued, but not decided, last winter.
MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR OF MIssrssIppI-
An adjourned session of the Mississippi Lepis
lature met on the LIST instant, when Gov. McRea
sent In q special message. 1t is exclusively
devoted to review of the Anti Slavery move
ment at the North. He enumerates the meas
ures which would justify q resort to resistance,
and recommends the Legislature to invite the
other slaveholding States to meet in Convention
respectively, "that, in view of the dangers
which threaten their institutions and overthrow
OF the Government, they may unitedly stand
upon well-dehned and unmistakable position,
to resist the aggressions of this sectional organ.
izaton, and maintain their constitutional rights,
and preserve the Union of the States"
FINANCES OF ILLINoIs.-The State Treasury
Of illinois has on hand balance of 81, l93, ops.
The amount of the State debt at the present
time is $4,000, OOO-of which, 1881, 5l46s
is drawing interest," and upon which amount
will be paid SIX per cent, by the State Treas
urer, In January next; S275 900 have already
been deposited in New York for this purpose.
The State debt is no longer considered burden,
and viii soon be extinguished, without any one
feeling the burden or being impoverished
thereby.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

of the Tariff bill, introduced last session, is
fixed for the first Tuesday in January. The va
rious interests involved have their agents here,
who are busily at work, looking rather to the
good oftheir employers, than to the public well
fare. The proposition to repeal the duty on
WOOL and the bill of Mr. Colfax to abolish the
sugar tax, will be strenuously opposed. We
anticipate little benefit to the country from the
discussion, as few have settled principles on
the subject of commercial restriction, and still
fewer understand the philosophy of free trade.
The Senate, it is said, has under considera.
ton the supplemental treaty with Great Brit
ain on Central American affairs also, the
nominations of James o. Harrison, as Chief
Justice of Kansas, in the place of Lecompte,
removed Thomas Cunningham, of Pennsyl.
vania, Associate Justice, in place of Burwell,
deceased; William Spencer, of Ohio, Marshal,
in place of Donelson, resigned and j. w. H.
Underwood, of Georgia, Associate Justice of
Nebraska, in place of Haden, resigned. Thus,
one by one, Shannon, Calhoun, Clark, Titus,
Lecompte, Donelson, chief actors in the out
RACES in Kansas, disappear from the stage,
broken down by charges now acknowledged to
be true, but which were pronounced Republi.
can lies.
The resolution of Mr.. Etheridge, on the slave
trade, took the House by surprise. Some of
the correspondents of Southern newspapers
denounce it, others say it was all right. The
Buchanan men of the South seem to be prieved
that even one question connected with Slavery
could be found, on which Northern and South
ern men could vote together. Their policy is,
to unite the South always in direct antagonism
to the North.
The resolution for the purchase of copies of
Kane's Expedition, which would have given
something substantial to that heroic explorer,
was amended in the Senate, 80 as simply to
bestow medals on him and his associates-at
the instance, it is said, of Senator Brodhead.
This is little too mean. DR.. Kane, BY his
daring expedition, through suferings such as
few men in any age have gone through, brought
to light important geographical facts, extend.
ed the boundaries of science, and conferred q
great honor on the American flag. And he was
nobly sustained by his associates. They have
already secured the admiration and gratitude
of their countrymen. Let Congress vote them
something more substantial than medals. II
is claiming little for them, to say that they are
entitled to at least as much consideration as
the soldiers in the Mexican war.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

FLORIDA barks as loudly as the biggest of
them. Her Governor is out of patience with
the free States he cannot tolerate them they
are grasping, usurping, must be resisted. The
election of Buchanan is a mere truce-in
peace prepare for war-the crisis will come.
Florida will yet be the radiating centre of the
mighty Southern Confederacy which is to en-.
brace Cuba and the West Indies generally,
Mexico, and Central America Wonderful
State Prophetic Governor! Would it be be-
lieved that this future rsdiating centre cast =,
totsl vote at the late Presidential election loi J,
ll,2ll-not SO large as the majority in one
of the nine districts of Illinois for Republi-
can member of Congress. The editor of the
Vest Florida Times, published at Pensacola, {.
ridiculing the magnilcquence of the Governor,
says, the whole revenue of the State scarcely
exceeds the private income of an Alabama
gentleman; but it is refreshing to know that
for the last eight years it has been rapidly in.
creasing, at the rate of f,oelue hundred dollars
yearl 1t Is amusing to see the Richmond {.
Enquirer interposing "a word to soothe the
wrathful Governor, patting him on the back,
and assuring him that Mr.. Buchanan is well
worthy Of his distinguished trust.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

H6s-Notieing in the December number of Put
MANS Magazine an article in which tables are
presented showing the movements of our Home
Population, as affected by Slavery and Slavery
Prohibition, we have been led to reproduce the
following editorial on the same subject, written
by us nearly three years ago, and when such
tables were presented for the first time. They
deserve more attention than they then received.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

under the laws of his own State, and then be-
come settler. What has he lost in pecu-
mary way? Nothing. He has been subjected
to an imaginary ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS is all.
But while few persons belonging to small
class, not numbering, all told, more than
400, 900, are liable to this imaginary incon-
veuience, what of the hundreds of thousands of
poor white people, from the South and from
the North, who go into the Territories, to be-
come cultivators ? They gain Responsibility,
the Elevation of Labor, Education, Wealth,
Just Political Power The Law of Prohibition
then works harm to nobody, injury not even to
the Stakeholder, good, incalculable, to all, wheth-
er they have slaves or not. Can there be deg
radiation in such law? 1t fsstens stigma
on nobody. And, if we would know what the
instincts of the masses of Southern People
sanction and require, read our tabular state
ments in another column, showing the rapidity
with which the white men of the South people
the lands consecrated to Free Labor.
In arguing this grave question, we often feel
as ifgulty of dsparaging it, by emitting to bring
into view the noble considerations of Religion
and Morality and National Honor; but we are
anxious to demonstrate, that, even meeting the
champions of Slavery on what they claim as
their own ground, they have not an inch to
stand upon.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25

r. 4 content with his charge against Congress
= the people of the free States, he goes one
FARTHER, and assails our State Governments
fn are aware that several of our free State Leg
isatores have prohibited the of their jails for
lmprsoning fugitive slaves. They are unwilling
70 De involved In the disgraceful business of aid
ing the piratical seizure of human beings who
are seeking liberty. Others have felt more deep
~ the degradation of that infamous work. and
have prohioited their State officers from dispra-
cling themselves and State by engaging in it. He
does not charge them with any violation of the
Consultation, or OF any law, nor of any moral or
and fS Ss.. cSs oG the contrary he charges
very XfDto mankind he seems to have for
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25


Difference we say it, this kind of argument
might do for a stump speech, but is not worthy
of MIR. johnson, or the Court he addressed.
A man may make fool of himself but it
does not follow that he ought not to be free
agent, and have the right to act wisely, Con.
gress may use its power in relation to |, Tariff
absurdly, unjustly, but it does not follow that
it has no right to lay imposts neeeful for
revenue.
The Prohibition of Slavery in Territories by
Congress is all that is needed to secure its ex-
clusion. No slaves can then be taken into it
no law of Slavery can be enacted-fres labor
becomes established by usage, and the popula-
ton, holding no slaves, and naturally d;sliking
the institution, when it comes to form {, State,
organizes it free. That has been the Uniform
history of Territories protected by Congestion
al act against Slavery. 1t is not needful to
exclude Southern men, or pass any act prefer.
ring Northern men, and degrading Southern
men. 1t is not needful it would be unjust
unequal, odious, and rightful cause for resist
ance: it is needless to add, that not the widest
dreamer has ever proposed any such sbsurdity
An act prohibiting Slavery in the Territories
applies to all classes, all sections, operates upon
Northern, Southern, and Western men, end is not
in the nature of class-legislation. The Southern
man who owns no slaves, the Southern man
who owns them, the Northern man whip would
like to own slaves, the Northern man: whose
wealth consists in part of mortgages on" Slave
Property" so-calIed, are all dealt witS alike.
There is one law for alone institution for all.
1t is true, the Shareholder cannot take his
slaves into the Territories if he desire to
60 there, he may convert his slaves into money
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25
63,9l5
Total, 609,63l.
539,l83
6,l65

Natives of the Free States in the