The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-12-05

lncfeaScu, ana VIII IN q rev years exceed the
the supply-not from want, on our part, of
land on which to grow it, but from want of
operators to cultivate it. The demand for
the article being greater in the supply, the
price must 60 up in the absence of all dis
turbing causes but the certain effect Of
high prices will be to stimulate the growth
of it in foreign countries, and in time to
destroy the monopoly which we have so long
enjoyed. The possession of this monopoly
is the chief element of Southern prosperity,
and the dependence of the manufacturing
interest on us for supply of this article
will continue to prove to he one of our
strongest safeguards. The amount Of cot
ton now grown in the Fast Indies should
open our eyes to our true policy. The idea
that African slaves only can successfully
grow cotton is an entire mistake. Under
British domination, free slaves are now pro-
ducing in the Fast, more than the entire
crop Of the United States in 1920. From
report OF the Hon. WI. Marcy, Secretary
OF State, in answer to a resolution Of Con
gress, it appears that, during the year 1855,
; the shipments Of cotton to Great Britain,
were, from the UnitcL States, i'll round num-
bcrs, Go millions of pounds. Whenever
England and the Continent can procure
their supply Of the raw material elsewhere
than from us, and the cotton States arc linn
tied to the home market, then will our
doom be sealed. Destroy the value of slave
labor, and emancipation follows inevitably.
| This, England, our commercial rival clearly
sees, and hence her systematic efforts to
stimulate the production of cotton in the
East The success which has thus far at
tended those efforts, incite her to rcdouble
them. The East Indies abound in fertile
land and cheap labor. France, too, is en-
couraging and stimulating its growth in Al
gerla, with like advantages Of soil and labor.
To maintain our present position, we must
have cheap labor also. This can be obtain
ed in but one way-by re-opening the AT.
rican slave tradc.-Until Providence inter-
poses and changes his organism, the African
must continue to be "liewer Of wood and
a drawer of water" 1t is diseased senti-
mentality which starts back ut the idea of
l"galizing the slave trade, and ut the same
time contelnplatcs without emotion the cruel
servtudc which capital exacts of labor, all
the world over. There is time when can
ting philanthropists had instllcd into us
belief that slavery was wrong. 1nvcstiga-
tions has entirely changed the one common
sentiment on this point. The South now
believes that mysterious Providence has
brought the two races together on this con-
tinent for wise purposes, and that the exist
ing relation has been mutually beneficial.
Southern slavery has elevated the African
to degree Of civilization which the black
race has never attained in any other age or
country. awe see it now in its true light,
and regard it rs the most safe and stable
basis for free institutions in the orld." Had
the slave trade never heen closed, the equi-
librium between the North and the South
would have not been destroyed. The North
has had the old world from which to draw
her supply of labor, and hence the rapid
the South has supplied her own labor, and
has necessarily made slower progress in
settling up the Southwest. If the trade
were now open, am persuaded that the
South would not consent to close it; and
this is perhaps the best answer to the argu-
ment derived from the mere sentiment that
is arrayed against the proposition. 1t is
: apprchended that the opening of this trade
will lessen the value of slaves and ultimate
y destroy the institution. It is sufficient
answer to point to the fact, that unrestricted
immigration has not diminished the value of
labor in the Northwestern section of the
confederacy. The cry there is, want Of labor,
: notwithstanding capital has the pauperism
of the old world to press into its grinding
I, services. If we cannot supply the demand
for slave labor, then we must expect to besup.
piled with aspecies of labor we do not want,
and which is, from the very nature of things
antagonistic, to our institutions. 1t is much
, better that our drays should be driven by
slaves-that our factories should be worked
by slaves-that our hotels should be served
] by slaves-that our locomotives should be
manned by slaves, than that we should be
: exposed to the introduction, from any quar-.
D ter, of a population alien 10 us by BIRTH
8 training, ard education, and which, in the
7 process of time, must lend to that conflict
\ between capital and labor, "which makes il
9 so difficult to maintain free institutions in all
: wealthy and highly civilized nations where
e such institutions as ours do not exist" In
i all slaveholding States, true'policy dictates
J. that the superior race should direct, and The
d inferior perform all menial service. Compe
It tition between the white and black man fol
this service, may not disturb Northern SEN
u sibilty, but it does not exactly suit our lati
d tude. Irrespective, however, Of interest," the
Q act Of Congress declaring the slave trade
+ piracy, is brandupon us, which I think il
1t important to remove. If the trouble be
J. piracy, the slave must be plunder; and nc