The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-08-29
The EIireling and the Slave.

from the gcntlenlanly bookseller of New
berry village, Mr.. w. J. Duliic, we lave
received neat little volume of Poems, OF
which the Hon. W.. Grayson, of Charles.
ton, is author, and Mcssr<. McCartcr e. Co.,
also of Charleston, arc publishers.
The principal one of these poems, and
the only one which we have had time to
read, is entitled "Thc lIircling and the
Slave"
In easy aud elegant verse, the author has
attempted, and very successfully, com,
parlson of the two systems Of scrvitude
prevailing in the civilized world-volun,ary
and involuntary or, hircling servitudc and
African slavery. The state Of the hirelinr
and the slave is declared to he substantially
the same. Both, in obedience to the de-
cree Of the Eternal that "hy the sweat of
the brow shalt thou obtain bread" are
doomed to labor The labors and suffer-
ingss of the hireling are graphically por-
trayed. Whilst he is able to perform the
service demanded Of him the srant wages
he receives from day to day arc barely suf-
ficient to meet his present wants and
when, from age or disease, he is no longer
able to toll, one of two f,tcs inevitably
awaits him-specdy starvation in the streets,
or a miserable ending Of days in the most
wrctchcd pauperism. Thougl, the employ
or may have realized half a centurys faith
ful service from him, the doomed hi,clinc
when lie ceases to work has no claim upon
the bounties Of his masters house. lie
must beg, star.c, or lie down to die in the
filth and dcstitution Of the poor housc-a
fate which is said to be little better than
speedy starvation.
Like the hircling, the slave, too, labors
for subsistence. AS every one who
knows anything Of the system must admit,
his service cannot be and is not more ardu-
GUS than that of the hireling his recon-
pcnse could not be less and lie still live.
The one barely realizes the actual neccssi-
tics OF life as his reward how could the other
realize less9 The one goes to his toll with
heavy cares weighing upon his soul the
other knows no care. The one has n wife
and little ones looking TO him for their dali
y bread the other has his hours of rest
made happy hy the society of his family,
but his hours of labor are disturbed by no
thought of such heavy responsibility. The
one has assurance of reward only so long
rs God shall vouchsafe him ability TO la
bor; the other feels and knows that when
disease or age comes on, he is to be a life
pcnsioner upon the bountics Of his masters
house. The one sees his invalid fellows
begging crust here and there, or rudelv
thrust into the aggregated mass of groan.
ing, suffering, dying panperism; the other
meets no such scenes. The one dying,
thinks of his wife and children-how hard
ly they may escape the pcrils Of starvation
and the dangers Of disgrace the other has
no such narrowing thoughts to render still
darker the vale of death. Such, briefly, is
the comparative condition of the hireIino
and the slave. Whilst the slaves condition
is ameliorated by the several advantages
we have named, the hireling can only boast
his nominal freedom rs an offset to them
all ...s
| we wish every man in the North could
read this little poem will, an unprejudiccd
mind. 1t would at least assist in cominp
to knowledge Of the two great truths
which, if universally acknowledged, would
forever settle the question which has 70,
years threatened the continuance of tbi
glorious Union.of States-that some form o.
other of servitude always has and must ex
ist; !; and that the system of African SLAYER,
is the best form, for the servant, that la
, ever yet existed. 1d." a'i-.
"A AREMARKABLE SWIMMER sinoula
wager says the Salut Public, Of LYONS. aha
just BEEN decided here. One Of the bes
Swimmers Of the city made bet that L,
would cross the Rhone or, his Back. Car carry :,
Ing on bis stomact u small table, on wvhi;cl
!, should be placed two bottles fiji Of wine
elk eggs on q plate and four glasses. Tn,
? TALL Of any one of tfess objects would ;n
= yolve the loss Of the wager. The swimmer
5 however, crossed the river without dissnla