Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-10-08


The ENQUIRER Office has been removed to the
new Building adjoining the old stand.
RE-OPENING THE SLAVE TRADE.
In our last we gave the able address of Mr. C.
W. MILLER on this question, together with our own
views on the matter. The Southern Light in ad-
verting to the question, publishes the views of
our immediate representative, Hon. W. W. BorcE,
as expressed by him in the Knoxville Convention !:
"Mr. Boyce in relation to the proposition for
re opening the Slave Trade, declared that he be-
lieved it would be unwise and exceedingly fatal
policy. He also thought the question at this time
utterly impractcablc, and it's discussion only mis-
chevous, as calculated to divide the South aud
strengthen Black Republicansm at the North
The trade never in this Union could be re-opened
and if gentlemen intended to make 1t n question
upon which to concentrate Southern opinion and
dissolve the Union, he thought they had mistaken
their issue. 1t was aqueston to divide the South
more than any other that could be started with
that view in every point of view, therefore, both
ms regards the internal prosperity, safety and free
dom of the South, the effect upon Southern union
against the North, and the effect of Northern
union against the South, he disapproved of the
scheme in toto"
The 6rgt objection, that it will "divide the
South and strengthen Black Kepubicanism at the
North" is certainly an assertion without any valid
reason to support it. With the South, the ques.
ton is purely one of interest. Would it profit us
or not? We think the argument given by Mr.
MILLER altogether satisfactory. The advanced
price of lands will amply remunerate those who
own slaves for any depreciation in the market
value of negroes. To those who do not possess
them, chance will be presented to supply them
selves with force able to compete with the diff
culties Of Western farming, and sufficient to sup
ply the evident want of labor in the rejuvination
of our worn out lands. The re-opening Of the
slave trade would almost instantaneously inaugu-
rate an agricultural era, diffusing new life and
fresh energy through Southern planters, calling
into existence and use the most skiful appliances
of science and art, and developing our exhaustless
mineral resources which now remain unexplored
for the want Of labor.
It must be remembered that in oil countries
where slavery exist, nominally, and likewise where
it exists de acto. the proportion between the own
ner and slave, between the capitalist and labo-
rer exhibits large majority of the latter class.
This we may gay is necessity. 1t is useless here
to refer to the historical facts on which the asser
ton is based. But in the South We perceive an
anomaly-an unnatural condition of things-for
our laboring class is considerably in the minority
What is the result! As matter of course, por-
tion of the dominant rnce is compelled to become
co .laborers with the slave. This at once begets
an antagonism between the two classes, and like
wise an envious feeling between the slave-owner
and the hireling. This antagonism must continue
to increase until we have in our midst that most
dangerous viper, an organized and determined
free-labor party, whose bond of union will be ha-
tired of slave competition and whose final aim will
be total emancipation. This may not be the re-
suit for years yet, but il will gradually grow upon
us as the frontier States are depleted of their
slave population and filled with hirelings from all
jacent free States. The re-opening of the slave
trade would operate as an antidote to this evil ten
increase the number of owners by
diminishing the hirelings-would create a har-
mony between the two castes-would give the
power irrevocably to the slave-owner;
and finally render the institution far more perlna
nent than at this moment, when very little thrown
into the scale of opposition would dcause its speedy
downfall.
Assuredly the preservation and permanence of
the institution is the highest interest of the South
Should a measure then, so admirably calculated
to produce such consummaton, create dscord
at the South? Let the question be discussed let
the hasy opponents to it be brought to reconsider
the question, let the Southern people be convinced
that it will give them strength, wealth and politi
cal security, and not only will they act harmon
ously but they will act effectively in bringing a.
bout such result. "Where there is a will there
is way" is no less applicable political conflicts
than in domestic life.
But we are told that it will strengthen Black
at the North. How it is to effect
this we acknowledge is beyond our conception.
Does Strengthening the South, restoring the lost
equilibrium and counteracting the negro stealing
of the aboltionsts tend to invgorate
the Black Republicans Besides, we have not
duly calculated the effect which the prospect of
realizing larger profit from the trade will have
on the 'sdollar and cent? mind of the Yankee
Fraudulent bankrupts, insolvent spectators, and
chap fallen stock jobbers would once more rise to
the dignity Of Wholesale scoundrels, and forget.
ting their demagogism become the sycophants of
the kings Of Dahomi and Loango. If there are
any honest, religious, enthusiasts and fanatical
bigots at the North, we will soon create diver
sion in the Black Republican ranks, for self-inte-
rest will soon silence the noisy camors of the ra.
pacious dsmsgogues and still the rawlings of en-
thusiastic folly.
In no respect then can the discussion of the SUBJ
ect injure the South or fail to result in positive
and permanent advantage to her interests and her
ExTRAvAGANCE AND THE PANIC.
Whatever may be the final result of the strin-
gency in the currency of the country, it is impos-
sible to mistake the cause which has brought a.