The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-07-16
THE SLAVE TRADE AGITATION
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN!
There are some people who have an in
veterale propensity to "look one way an,
row another" We shall not make the charg,
against the Morning News and its associates
in this business, but we are tempted, in vieu
of their past history and the present statu
OF Their project at least TO PROFOUND ques
ton or two that will put them on the de
| tensiye.
The African slave trade is prohibited b,
an act OF Congress, which declares all who
may engage in it guilty of "piracy." This i,
our frst proposition, which will not be con
troverted.
In order to reopen the trade, this laN
mus! be repealed, and, of course, by Con,
gress. This is our second proposition, whiel
is also cear-unless the friends of the slave
trade contemplate violent re-opening of it
and we shall not do their loyalty the injus
tice to intimate that they do.
Our third proposition is, that nine-tenths
of the members of Congress from the South.
crn States, and all from the North, are op-
posed to the repeal, and would certainly vote
against 1.-THE latter uncompromsingly
Fonrthly: were the South unanimously in
favor of repeal, they would be perfectly i'm
potent to effect it, the North holding the ma.
Jority in both houses, with an almost abso.
lutte certainty of continuing to hold it,
Now, we ask, how is it possible, in view of
the foregoing facts, to reopen the trade? Is
1t not an utter impossiblity? Can any sen.
sblc man doubt that il is!
Then, we PROFOUND TO the friends of the
slnpa troIa tbaua A. - eh..
to be impossible TO reopen it by repeal of
the prohibitory law, ho'o do yOu erpect TO ef
feet I'll!
If you do not, in sincerity, expect TO revive
il, 1chat do yoit mean by The agitation?
Is there in contemplation no ulteror pur.
pose which they have not the candor to avow
no secret design, to be kept from the peo-
pIe-no conspiracy TO lead them blindfolded
TO the brink Of political and social preci-
pice, knowing that exposure would be defeat
to their plans, and political disgrace and death
to themselves!
We give the News and il is associates per-
feet liberty TO draw on their own brains, and
Mr.. Spratt's report in the bargain, for the
answer Sdrdnnah Republican.
AMERICAN RAILROAD CoNTRANoRs IN BRA
zIL.-ltwill be seen by an extract from the
Correio Mercantil, which we publish in
another column, that American enterprise
has undertaken another work in South Ameri
ca, which may lead to important results
The BlaziliHns are just entering upon the
construction of railroads; and, being un-
schOoled in the mechanical requirements,
necessary for the economical construction Of
internal improvement, applied to their min
listers abroad for the purpose of stimulating
competition in proposing for contracts
Propositions for the construction of the Lee
ond section Of the Dom Pedro II. were made
in April last by American, English and French
contractors, and il will be seen that the work
has been given out 20 those from the United
States. The Correio accompanies this an
nOuncement with flattering notice of the
American contractors, and the expression of
just hopes in regard TO the future Of Ameri-
can enterprise in Brazil.
There is one advantage possessed by Amer.
can contractors over those from Europe, on
public works, in the thinly populated cOun.
tries of the New World, that is not generally
known. The workman Of Europe, accus-
toned to the facilities afforded by an abund-
ance OF capital and crowded populations,
are used TO overcome obstacles that may
present themselves by greater expenditures
Of money and labor, in order to make a per-
and heavy work. The American, on
he contrary, npprenticed in the building Of
'oads, bridges, &C., in n country where cspi- |
al is scarce and labor dear, is accustomed 10 |
overcome the obstacles TO construction by |
and that fertility OF invention
hat flows from necessity. The scanty pur.
,oses of the day arc attained, and the greater |
Xpendi ure for pcrmanence is left to the fu-
ure, when fuller population both require
md have the ability to make it. II is this
,reat difference iC the system Of the Amer.
an and European constructors of public
works that is giving the former the prefer.
nee in all the countries south Of us.
TAKING THE QUARTER.-During the trial
ia case in the Essex Common Pleas, at New
'uryport, recently, witness who was