Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-07-08
JAMAICA CALLS FOR THE RE-ESTABEISH-
MENT OF SLAVERY

1t would seem to require little intelligence to see
that the emancipation of the negroes in the West
Indies has been miserable failure. We have had
many indications of late which tell US that this opn.
ion is beginning to prevail where it may do some
good. And the following extract from an article in
the Jamaica Journal, brought by the latest arrival
from that Island, June 1lth, openly advocates the
re-establishment of slave labor Its meaning is
plain and unmistakable:
"What needs there to be better proof that slave
labor is profitable than free labor than the ex-
ample of Cuba? Look at the value of real estate
there-compare it with that of freehOlds in Jamaica
Why, the price paid for single estate there is
eS00,000. This is the condition of Cuba under the
slave system. Now, look at Jamaica under the free
What has been the result? Why, the price Of real
estate fell TO nothing, after 1t could not be sOld and
tchel sale made the land actually given a1ray
the price paid for a freehold not more than equal
ing the value of its live and dead stock. Bear in
mind that previous to free labor, Jamaica sas as
prosperous Cu6a-LaHd ruled hgh-estates ourished
and all the wide spread ruin we now see has been
subsequent to emancipation"
This manner of thinking has doubtless been brot
about by the increased demand for sugar and tropi-
cal products; indeed, the paper says that at
tentiOn has been directed to the cultivation of the
cane, by the high prices now ruling.
This feeling has not been confined to individuals
There a good deal of excitement among the
people concerning the necessity for supply of slave
labor in some shape: and the Kingston Standard
has been writing series of editorials upon the sub
ject. The Standard however prefers the Coolie sys-
TEN, and in its issue of the 18th of June says:
1.-THE inhabitants of Demerara have petitioned
Parliament for laborers. They affirm that auere pop
latoR adequate to the agricultural capabilities of the
colony there is scarcely limit to the extent to hch COT
ION might be prOduced but they show that the present
population is not more than adequate to the actual
cultivation of the country and that if cotton pro-
ductiOn to large extent is to be entered upon, a
large addition Of laboring people is absolutely nee
essary.
He adds If we had million of souls in Jamai-
ca. instead of some three hundred and fifty thous-
and, believe that there is scarcely limit to the
value thUt ght be ascribed to its productive indus
try. Manchester might be relieved of all depen-
dence upon the Southern States of America.
In the paper of June 2, we find the follow
ing-It has been said and truly said, that many of
the estates that have been abandoned since 1888,
were estates that, but for the existence of slavery
when they were first settled, neaer would have been
established at all If we go to India and supply
ourselves with Asiatic labor, an outcry is raised
against The introduction of Pagan superstition and
of starving Incidence. If claim to resort toAf
RIGA for support Of that labor 'ohich is peculiarly
adapted to the groa0h Of staples and to the
ity Of our climate stigmatiZed as little better
than slave traders in disguise.
On June the writer remarks We all see how
difficult it is to obtain supply of labor in Jamaica
In point of fact but for the forutous incidence of
the late captured slave cargo, have not received
single immigrant into the island for several years
We have positive evidence that Cuba is recruiting
her population at the rate of from twenty thousand
to thirty thousand per annum, and we know that
the people thus recruited slaves, whose labor is
compulsory, yet we allow this monstrous competition
to 90 on.