New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-04-10
The African ApprentIoe nm.


This bill is attracting considerable share of the
attention Of country journals, and bids fair to become
prolific theme for discussion throughout the State
We opine the assumption, on which certain journals
have fppautly argued that the measure had no
friends among the masses of the people, will prove
groundless. We should not be surprised if it turned
out exceedingly popular instead of being unpopular.
The following article, taken from the Bastrop
(Morehouse parsh) Advocate, OF the 3lst ut. is well
and forebly written and entitled to due considen.
ton:
AFRICAN APPRENTIoE BnL-We publish in our
columns to-day the report Of the Senate committee
Of our State Legislature on this important bill, to
which invite the earnest attention Of readers
II will be that the bill provided for the introduc.
ton into the State of $500 African laborers or ap.
prentces, TO be indeutured for not less term than
fifteen years. This bill passed the House Of Repre-.
sentatives by very large majority, but defeated
In the Senate by two votes upon its third reading,
after having passed two readings by the casting
vote OF the Lieut Governor
In the report which we publish, this measure is
ably vindicated both on the score of humanity
aud expedieney, and we do not hesitate to give it
our hearty approval 1t is measure fraught with
mighty results and none other, in our opinion, has
been proposed, well calculated TO promote the
prosperity and advance the true interest Of the South
We, therefore, regard it as move In the right d.
rection. lt opens to us the means Of supplying a
want that s now being seriously felt not only by
selves, hut by the whole commercial world, that is,
more ahorers upon our Southern fields 10 meet the
increasing demand at home and abroad for our great
staples. And it will enable as to supply that want
from the right quarter, and with the only available
kind OF labor for the objects for which il is required
and this too without any violation of the principles
OF humanity and without encroachng upon any law Of
the General Government relative to the slave trade
While this movement commends itself to the whole
people Of the South we believe its beneficial results
wouidbe more Immediately felt by that class of our fell
low-eitizens who are in moderate circumstances as
the new supply OF labor would reduce tn enormous
price which slaves now command and place them with
IN the means OF very many who cannot afford to pur
chase at present prices and by thus increasing the
number OF Shareholders the institution Of slavery itself
would become strengthened upon which the South
must ever rely Tor her power and prosperity Nor do
we think that we should be deferred from pushing
forward this measure from the fear of shocking the
delicate senshilities Of the Northern fanatics as we
believe with Gov. Mouton, that the time has now mr.
rived when the South must think speak and act for
herself and that Il is only through the action az the
Legislatures Of the Southern States that the great and
material interests Of the South are TO be advanced
We have much to say upon this subject hereafter our
object now being more TO direct public attention Ia
the measure, rather than TO discuss its merits.