The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-08
THE NATIONAL ERA: WASHINGTON, d. C, JANUARY g. 1851

debt, so as to make it the interest of all who
can, TO own slaves-by recommending the in
PRODUCTION of slave labor into every occupa-
ton and employment, SO as comp letely to ex-
clude free labor, and by urging the re-opening
of the African slave trade, SO as to satisfy all
the demands of capital with slave labor. The
Governor is logical; he carries out principles
to their legitimate consequences. IF the Rich
mond Enquirer believe all it says of Slavery,
it should sustain his policy, not atteplpt to con-
travene it. True, it would at lasr result in
Just such condition of society as laid impe-
rial Rome open, as prey to Northern barba-
rians. Her wars of conquest brought Slavery,
and Slavery brought wealth and luxary to the
few, poverty and degradation to the many.
Free Labor was crushed out in Italy its noble
freemen were driven to Rome, to enj Joy the dig
nifty and independence of doing nothing, and
living upon largesses from the public treasury,
while slaves took their places in the perform
ance of the hard and degrading labors of hus-
bandry But poor and idle freemen became
effeminate, and lost their patriotism, while
slaves were enemies, not friends of the state;
so that when the Goth, the Vandal, the Hun,
came, Rome crumbled before their power.
But, we have done with the argument of the
Enquirer. Let US look to its plan for practi-
cally obviating the antagonism which, despite
its sophistries, does exist, between the slave
holding and non-slaveholding clashes of the
South. 1t has often been agitated, 1but never
before so earnestly pressed upon the eonsidera-
ton of Southern legislators. 1t proposes to ex-
empt by law one or more slaves frsr2Execution
for debt-not on any ground of humanity, but
simply with a view to widen the basis of Sla-
very, and thereby render it more stable. In
this respect it differs radically from q project,
occasionally brought forward in the South, to
prevent the sale of slaves, except in families
measure, so far as it goes, of philanthropy
The Enquirer urges the new plan for strength
ening Slavery, as follows:
"The disproportion of numbers between the
shareholders and the non shareholders of the
South, gives the Abolitionists plausible reason
to anticipate the ultimate success of their enter
prise, and so stimulates them to more constant
and energetic action.
that each interest in the community is de-
pendent upon every other, and that the security
of Slavery is the concern of every individual
member of our social system. But the fact is
too remote from ordinary observation to resist
the effect of the specious argument which the
Abohtionists address to the preiudices and
passions of the nonslaveholding class. For
the stability of the institution, one negro in the
possession of a poor family is worth all the
logic of Bledsoe and all the learning of Fetch
er. 1t is palpable property, and the owner will
| fight for its security. 1t is symbol of superb
ority which the master will never resign. Ex-
| empt from compulsory sale, it would be the
last stay of misfortune and poverty. 1t is a
| question, since prevention is better than cure,
whether, on general principles, it is not the
wiser policy to give every Individual some
| security against extreme desti7ution, than to
provide poor-house for the shelter of mendi-
cancy. 1t is certain, however, that the chance
of saving something from the possible wreck
of fortune, would be embraced by every one
who apprehends the ills of poverty. The ex-
emption of one or more negroes from sale, I'M
der legal process, would make it the interest of
| every person in the community to identify his
| fortunes with the value and safety of slave
property, and would impart to the institution a
| far more broad and secure basis of support
than that upon which it reposes at present.
| This obvious consequence is foreseen by all
who study the subject, and has commended the
policy to the confidence of the most consider
ate friends Of the South. We are glad that
Governor Adams has given it the sanction of
,, his name and authority, and we hope the Leg.
| islature of Virginia will not be slow'In adopting