Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-05-24
Voice frsm MISUNDERSTANDING and
American Labor.

AAmeEAcaM LABOR
We give below an extract from a cornmuni.
cation, addressed 10 the editor Of the n. Y. Elk,
press and written by a Mechanic. II contains
some wholesome truths, worthy the calm con-
sideration Of the mechanics Of our country
] ask then how can tue American mechanics
of the North, with the least show Of justice
array themselves against the South on the
grounds that the slave is their competitors in
mechanical LAHORE Leaving this question OF
slavery to be discussed by ADLER pens wish to
confine myself to this one proposition, ia it
eXpedient, or is it to the TINE interests of the
American mechanics of the uon-slaYe~ holding
States to array themselves gainstthe South, on
account Of slavery? As I haze shown above,
the South is not q manufacturing country, but
a consumer, to Il very large extent, and thus
the South is the best customer YOU have in
consuming, and keeping up the prices of your
products Can you then with any consistency
join In a warfare which is indirectly waged ~
gainst yourselves. Simply becarse the South
believe in a certain institution, which you as
Free State men are not expected to participate
in. Commit suicide with your best interests,
drive from you, and forever ALLEVIATE the one
half of an empire all for a mere abstraction.
The Anoericican Party is now striving to gain
the ascendency in the national councils Of this
Union, in order that some change may be af~
fected in the naturalization laws, etc, so TINT
a barrier may forever be raised to prevent this
horrid European system of yearly sending
thousands of criminals and pauPers on our
shores. BY these changes the American me-
chanics hope and believe that a stop will effect
ually be put to this alarming influx of foreign
competition in the various branches of mechani-
cal labor, which is daily lowering Cur wages,
until in time we shall be compelled, from this
cause alone, to tCork for European prices.
Now, we find that the South, whose inte-
rests are but slightly affected from this rapidly
spreading evil, are becoming thoroughly Ameri-
canized upon this important question. We see
on every hand that the principle of "Amerieans
ruling America" is spreading over all of the
slave States, and viii you American mechanics
of the North suffer yourselves to be placed in
a false position in this struggle. viii you al
low any side issues, or abstract theories upon
this or that question TO cause you for mo-
ment to lose sight of this paramount "Ameri~
canism," which of all Others ia best calculated
to forward your most sacred interests? | re-
peat, again, that all the South asks is that her
people may be left free to enjoy their own pea
culiar opinions and institutions-but the South
is willing and anxious to unite with the North,
in good faith, to carry forward this great Ameri-
can reform measure. Can you refuse TO meet
on middle GROUND in defence of yonr rights
] hope no one will think / would insinuate the
idea, that any man has the right to sacrifice
patriotism on the altar of self-interest.
deny most emphaticalIy that the American
Party demands a sacrifice of this kind, but in
upon the great national platform of
.merieanism, we find that our dearest interests
run parallel with the pBrest American patriot,
.smi
We know that the alarming influx of crirni-
1als and paupers to this country is already be-
to spread its whitening blight. We see
hat 1t is annually reducing our wages, and if
Tot soon checked, the high minded American
will be reduced to European serfdom,
1.-The energy of body and mind forever crushed
md bowed down by that relentless tyrant,
to Toll long, weary years for
mere subsistence,-all The comforts, all The
.uxuries, which in days past have made his life
'one long day of peace and contentment,"
,laeed far beyond his reach. Then the Ameri-
mechanic and working man will be CONF
,elled to submit to a system of slavery and
degradation a thousand times worse than the
laves Of the South have ever experienced
This is no fancy sketch, but it Is result which
follow the present emigratiug system,
is fast relieving Europe of its scum -
now, American mechanics of the North. I
we find such men as Clayton, Houston,
Walker, Crittenden and Donelson of the South,
to the winds old party shackies ana
and raising their voices in thunder tones
\ defence Of this great "America1 reform cues
embarrassing with their soui-stiFfllg eio-
.uence the slumbering fires Of American pat.
iotism throughout The length and breadth Of
he sunny South, how can you suffer yoursel4
ca 20 be- placed in false position By designing
Who care nothing for your interests-who /,
Re daily in the habit Of fatteriug you with their
ilv tong0ea, hasilg.nn higher motive In view
to secure q sufficient number Of votes to
lsyate them to places Of powerand profit Be.
of theae aspirants for Office, who crate ~
ont the @cruslties Of slavery" The Negroes
in life non is far better then yours
III Be at no distant day, it fanaticistn dissolves