The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-01
aware, but they are of nearly or quite all the
other States in the South.
CREDIT GIVEN TO THE ABoLITIoNIsTs.'

CREDIT GIVEN TO THE ABoLITIoNIsTs" |
1t is not often that we find a South ern Jour-
nal willing to award any degree of credit to
Anti-Slavery men or Abolitionists," as Pro-
Slavery writers invariably style all men not
friendly to the institution of Negro Slavery.
But it seems that this unfortunate class of citi-
zens have really accomplished some good-that
they deserve little credit-and the Richmond
South awards it in the following language:
Slowly, perhaps, but surely enough, is the
Southern mind working itself clear of every
traditional prejudice against Slavery. May be,
II the Abolitionists had let rs alone, we might
never have ventured to explore the foundations
OF our system of society, and might still cover
under the selfaccusiDg conviction that it is in
compatible with reason and Justice. But the
Abohtlonists forced us to the alternative OF
abandoning Slavery or defending it upon prin-
clple; and the result is an unquestioning and
universal assent to the proposition that the in
shtutlons OF the South are in perfect harmony
with the acknowledged rights and the obvious
interests of humanity. This is great step in
advance. Our conscience is clear our judg-
ment is satisfied. At last Slavery is placed
upon an impregnable basis and we neither
shrink from its support, nor attempt to excuse
it by timid apologies. This is the triumph of
an earnest spirit of inquiry, and of philosophy
which fearlessly follows out the conclusions of
logic. We stand now upon an elevation from
which we may exultngly look back upon re-
canted error and exploded prejudice"
If these statements are correct, what debt
of gratitude the South owes "the Abolition
lists |" Previous to their oficious and inter
meddling agitation, even in the South there
was general feeling of guilt in regard to Sla-
very. 1t was secretly believed, after all, that
to take a man by force, and compel him to Ia
Dor without wages, was a wicked, unchristan
act But, now, after examining the question
thoroughly in selfdefence, the South is happy
to find that Slavery is right. 1t does not in
terfere with acknowledged rights" and it is
favorable to the interests of humanity" and,
what is better still, universal assent" is
given to these propositions in the Slave States.
The old cry, that nti.Slavery agitation has
worked i'll to the slaves and to the South, is
then no longer reasonable, for it has placed the
institution upon Gan impregnable basis"
1t seems, however, that the South is not yet
completely satisfied with the workings of Sla-
very. Says the Richmond journal, quoted
from above:
I" In some measure the mind of the South is
still fettered by the fallaces of an unenlighten-
ed age; and until it entirely escapes from the
bondage, there should be no pause in the work
of discussion and agitation.
In the South, at least, nobody will now ven.
ture to contend that Slavery wants the support
of right and reason; but very frequently we
hear intelligent people deny that it can subsist
in certain climate, or hold its own against the
rivalry of hireling labor. Although these falla
cies do not strike at the root of the institution,
they are yet of sufficient Importance to Justify
formal refutation.
" The idea that the slave labor of the South
cannot compete with the hireing labor of the
North, is the inference of narrow and super
fetal observation. People see hireling labor
in exclusive possession of the Northern States
and without more inquiry they conclude thai
slave labor has been driven from the field by q
legitimate rivalry. Is such the case Is il
true, that the two interests contend in fair com
petition? Was Slavery allowed equal advan
tages in the North?
"Since, then, slave labor is not allowed fa
competition with hireling labor-since the one
interest is embarrassed by every sort of burden
and impeachment, and the other is free from al
hindrsnce, and assisted by every advantage
since the Northern States will not permit Sla
view trv ito oh tL -: ,si---t;I41 3 70
TEN In the South-sinCe these things are so
now can anybody venture to affirm that slave
labor is incapable of sustaining itself in tbe
contest with hireling labor? Are we not rather
driven to the conclusion that the productive
energies OF hireling labor are inferior to the
productive energies of slave labor, when We
discover that, despite so great disparity o
advantages, the social system of the South no
only holds its own, but ia stronger, more secure
ana more aggressive, than at any former period
of its history"
we 90 not propose here to reply to these
statements-for they are mere statements, un
supported by facts. If the Southern planter,
are still fettered by the fallacies of an upen
lightened age" it strikes us that this is not the
way to undeceive them. Give them facte
PrOUe to them that the South is richer with
slave labor than the North with free labor. Go Il
the census reports, and compute the wealth anc
prosperity of the two sections of the conntrv
This is an impossible task, and asser ton mus,
answer in the place of evidence.