The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-10-15


1t is not, strictly, sectional issue. for there
is Free Labor as well as Slave Labor at the
South. II is, pure and simple, question
as to whether or not Slave Labor shall be
extended, fortified, have conferred upon il
an added inHusDce, and be generally advnn-
tagged, by political measures, by legal enact
ments; or whether it shall be left TO wage
competition and fight its own battles with
Free Labor. unassisteI, and, if the law is to
be invoked. whether it shonli not be employ
ed on the side of Free rather than Of Slave
Labor.
We do not propose to discuss this propo-
sition. 1t will require much space of us and
demand much time for reflection on the part
of the reader. We only desire to draw ut
teution clearly and pointediy to the fact,
and TO stimulate individual minds TO reiec-
tion upon the subject, that the issue may be
as unders,andingly met AZ it's Importance
demands. Aud that this question does hold
signed to It, but little meditation in any
mind will be required to prove. Under the
influence of the wealthy and pewerfal slave
holding class Mt the South, with their per-
vading and absorbing interests to stimulate
them, Slave Labor in that region is steadi-
" advancing upon and crushing out Free
Labor. Slaves are not now 80 entirely as
they once were confined to the more mental
employmcnts, which require little skill or
thought to practice. They are learning the
trades and the arts which are required to ke
employed in civilized communities, and
which have heretofore been more exclusively
practiced by more intelligent and skiilfui
Free Labor. There is yearly less and less
inclination to hire mechanics and artlzans,
for it is cheaper, in n short-sighted view OF
the case, to buy them, or to make them out
Of the surplus human flesh and bones which
the proprietor may possess. This interest
which lies ut the bottom Of Slave Labor aud
is represented by it, is aggressive in It's ma
| ture, and in the nature of things mast be
! so, for free human energies are Of necessity
4 injury tDeSlSC tiaa ~A~S -
informed and hampered ones. 1t has dis
played its aggressive nature on the field as
signed it by the law. And it is working out
its results in the gradual degradation and
abolition Of Free Labor, and the elevation
and supremacy Of Slave Labor. But II
needs to enlarge the field of its energy. II
is necessary to drive as far rs possible from
its borders and from the range of com
petition, as rapidly and as entirely as posi-
bic TO crush out of existence, its mortal en-
envy, Free Labor. And the immediate in.
terests Of slave traders and slave-breed
crs come in TO aid the effort, for Il
; wldenothe field of Slave Labor, TO FORTH,
il and extend the demand for it, is Il
add activity to the trade and value TO tn
dustrial and a commercial question Will
great and wealthy and powerful classes
But SO far ms it is to be advantaged, precise
ly TO that extent Free Labor is to be disad
vantaged and Free Laborers oppressed.
All this is n matter of no speculation, M
doubt. Ii is y matter as certain Us the fact
of history which are transpiring before GU
eyes, and as the inexorablc laws of nature
There is remedy, quiet, ample, within th
law and the moral privilege: it is for Ere
Men TO exercise their rights, their politicn
! power. Are they sufficiently awake to tn
facts and the tendencies Of the time t
prompt them to do III X will angur i'll 70
the country, III for their sagacitY and thei
i own abiding interests. il il should prov
that they are not. The 4th day of Noyem
Der next will determine.
KANSAS FREE STATE PRISONERS fol
lowing extract from letter in the ST. LOU
Democrat, dated IN Kansas ON the End il
, slant, will help still farther to open the ey,
OF the people as to the impartiality OF ii
new government Of that Territory towart
theFree State men, and shows the unchri
tian and inhuman treatment which Unite
!, States officials, judges in high courts
:. Justice, bestow upon free citizens
The cxamination Of the Free State me
l, who were taken prisoners by authority
the United States and by order 81 Govern
Z Geary, still goes on slowly. Most Of the
have been committed for murd<r, as stat,
* in nv last. This is varied by OCCASIONAL
committing one or two for horse stealth
house breaking, and the like. Judge l.
!, compile got tired Of this very agreeable blu.
ness, and 50 yesterday he was 50 good IA
y commission Jno. =. Wood who already hol
d the Offices Of Probate Judge and Coun
Commissioner of Douglass county, as L.
Commissioner. This il the same Wood VIII
nd while q. w. Hutchinson was prisoner, sho
M his Est in his face and SAID "Goi damn yc
=. von abolition son Of b--h, you and eve
manin Lawrence ought 10 be hungi'' HI
~ treatment from Judge TO a prisoner, wasl
he IL How consolatorv. Now. this Jad
it'll Jno. L. Wood will like. no better fun than
re. examine these Free State men. He will ,
!. ercise his authority with much dignity III
:" grandeur, not to speak Of the ..learr
SIS opinions" Ike the one quoted above for
me s,anee,) which this position will give hin
in chance Mt.
" ARRisos IN THE PgSirssriARy.--Som
.taH Il ~