Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-11-27

funds in contestation in the courts of law and
can see no reason why it might not be extended to
money raised by sherifs. Why should they re-
tain it, and the real owner be deprived of all pro-
fit? 1t exposes them to temptation to speculate,
which fear is not always resisted. The legiti-
mate fees of that Office cannot adequately account
for the large sums too often realized.
The outward pressure against the institution OF
slavery should prompt us to do all we can to for
tify it within. Diffusion is strength-concentra-
tiou weakness Our true policy is to diffuse the
slave population as much as possible, and thus Sc
cure in the whole community the motive of self
interest for its support. I have no doubt of the
inherent ability of the institution to maintain it.
self against all assaults. 1t is the basis of our
political organism and it would not be difficult to
show that the poorest white man among US is di-
rectly concerned in its preservation; but the ar
gument of self-intercst is easy of comprehension
and sure of action. l recommend the passage of
q law cxemptng from sale (under contracts to be
hereafter entered into) at least one slave. Such
an immunity would stimulate every one to exert
himself to possess his family at least of proper
ty in some degree above the casualties Of debt
As you multiply the number who acquire the prop
erty, so will you widen and deepen the determine
tion to sustain the institution.
The consumption Of cotton has steadily increa-
sed, and will in few years exceed 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 than the
supply, the price must 60 up in the absence of all
disturbing causes. As long as this continues to
be the case, we must prosper but the certain ef-
feet 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 ele-
ment Of Southern prosperity, and the dependence
of the manufacturing interests on us for supply
of this article will continue to prove to be one of
our strongest safeguards. The amount of cotton
now grown in the East 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 producing in the East more than
the entire crop of the United States in lS2O.-
From q report of the Hon. W. L. Marcy, Sccreta-
ry of State, in answer to resolution of Congress,
it appears that during the year 1855 the ship
ments of cotton to Great Britain were from the
United States, in round numbers, G79 millions OF
pounds, and from the East Indies, Egypt, and
Brazil, 202 millions of pounds. Whenever Eng
land and the Continent can procure their supply
Of the raw material elsewhere than from US, and
the cotton States are limited to the home market,
then will our doom be sealed. Destroy the value
of slave labor, and emancipation follows inevita-
bly,. This, England, our commercial rival, clear
ly sees, and hence her systematic efforts to stmu
late the production of cotton in the East. The
success which has thus far attended those efforts
will incite her to redouble them. The East Indies
abound in fertile land and cheap labor. France,
too, is encouraging and stimulating its growth IN
Algeria, with like advantages of soil and labor
To maintain our nresent position, we must have
cheap labor also. This can be obtained IN but
one way-by re-opening the African slave trade.
Until Providence interposes and changes his or
ganism, the African must continue to be o 'hewer
of wood and drawer of water" 1t is diseased
sentimentality which starts back at the idea of
legalizng the slave trade, and at the same time
contemplates without emotion the cruel servitude
which capital exacts of labor, all the world over.
There was time when canting philanthropists
had instilled into us belief that slavery was
wrong. Investigation has entirely changed the
once common sentiment on this point. The South
now believes that mysterious providence has
brought the two races together on this continent
for wise purposes, and that the existing 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. ave see it now in its true
light, and regard it as the most safe and stable
basis for free institutions in the world"
Had the slave trade never been closed, the equi-
librium between the North and the South would
not lave been destroyed. The North has the old
world from which to draw her supply of labor,
and hence the rapid settlement of the Northwest.
Since 1908, the South has supplied her own labor,
and has necessarily made slower progress in set
Ting 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 argument derived from the mere
sentiment that is arrayed against the proposition.
1t is apprehended that the opening of this trade
will lessen the value of slaves, and ultimately ue-
stroy the institution. 1t is n sufficient answer to
point to the fact, that unrestricted immigration
has not diminished the value of labor in the North
western section of the Confederacy. The cry there
is, want of labor Notwithstanding capital has the
pauperism of the old world to press into its grind.
ing service If we cannot supply the demand fol
slave labor, then we must expect to be supplied
with species of labor We do not want, and which
is from the very nature of things, antagonistc to
our institutions 1t is much better that our drays
should be driven by slaves-that our factories
should be worked by slavcs-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 quarter
of O population, alien to US by birth, training and
education, and which, in the process of time
must lead to that conflict between capital and To-
Dor, (Which makes it so difficult to maintain free
institutions in all wealthy and civilized nation:
where such institutions as ours do not exist" II
all slaveholding States, true policy dictates tha
the superior race should direct, and that the infe
rior performs alllmenial service. Competition be-
| tween the white and black man for this service
Nv Int
not exactly suit our latitude. Irrespective, how
ever of interest the act of Congress declaring tho
slaye-trade piracy, is brand upon us, which
I think it important to remove. If the trade be
piracy, the slave must be plunder and no ingen'
uity can avoid the logical necessity of such con-
cluson. My hopes and fortunes are indissolubly
associated with this form Of society. | feel that
would be wanting in duty, if did not urge you tc
withdraw your:assent to an act which is IN itself
direct condemnation of your institutions. But We
have interests to enforce course of self-respect
I believe. as | have already stated, that more
slaves arc necessary to n continuance of our mon.
npoly in plantation products. believe that they
are necessary to the full development of our whole
round of agricultural and mechanical resources
that they are necessary to the restoration of the
South to an equality of power in the General Gov
ernmcnt, perhaps to the very integrity of the slave
society, disturbed as it has been by causes which
have induced an undue proportion of the ruling
race To us have been committed the fortunes Of
this peculiar form of society resulting from the
union of unequal races. 1t has vindicated it:
claim to the appreciation of an enlightened hui
manity 1t has civilized and christanized the AT
rican 1t has exalted the white race itself t
higher hopes and purposes, and it is perhaps o
the most sacred obligation, that we should give i
the means of expansion, and that we should pres!
| II forward to q perpetuity of progress.