The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-08-12
JOHN mitchell.

TO De dlSc0DtenteQ ana RESTLESS until ne can
convince the whole of the civilized world that
he is not, and never was, in favor of liberty in
general, but liberty for class of men. 1t
would have been bad enough for man who
stood 80 high as he did at one time, if he had
simply fallen from the position of soldier in the
cause of human liberty-to become the owner
of his fellow men, and the defender of absolute
Slavery. But he is not content with this, but
through newspapers, pamphlets, and books, is
endeavoring to show every man in the world
who reads newspapers and books, that the world
mistook him when it supposed he loved liberty
when he fought for Ireland.
Mr.. Mitchell has been recently travelling in
the slave States, and he prints copious notes
of his journey, and in his comments upon facts
he insinuates his opinions of the institution
and its practical workings, without a super
abundance of modesty. This is the way in
which he recommends revival of the Slave
Trade:
"First, then, Southern society, wherever its
elements are in equilibrio, or nearly-that is,
where the slaves are numerous enough to &C.
cupy the field of toll, or nearly-is the most
perfect form of social polity now existing any
where in the world. Those conditions are at
tanned only in some extensive rural planting
districts, and among States, only in South Car
dina, where the negroes are much more numer
GUS than the whites. When these States con-
Cured in prohibiting the Slave Trade from AZ.
RIGA, they did it not from sentimentality, but
because they then had slaves enough for the
strip of land they occupied, and never dreamed
of the boundless capabilities of the Mississippi
valley. Since then, great influx of white i'm.
migrants, and none of negro slaves, have re.
suited in population of 100000 whites to
| 100000 slaves; and this, with the high price
of negroes, has made it impossible to interest
enough of the people in the actual working of
the system, though they ALL in fact, derive all
their means of support from that system. The
! tendency, however, of this want of equilibrium,
is to accumulate great estates in few hands,
and to leave on the outskirts of society con-
siderable rural population, not artisans, not
| traders, and hardly farmers, who are TO use to
themselves or to the State. This once >ectifed,
or put IN progress Of rectifcGti0n, AID of all
| Republics and Monarchies on the essth, an
Gent or modern, / shall choose the Southern
States"
The way to rectify " this state of things is,
of course, to make negroes cheaper by whole
sale foreign importation. When negroes range
at prices varying from one to three hundred
dollars, we suppose Mr. Mitchell will have found
his model country. Why would it not do as
well to open up trade with Ireland2 If we
were to send sufficient force to the coast of
Ireland, we might easily entrap and enslave
great numbers of Mr.. Mitchel's countrymen.
II L. Al
shovel and the hoe" and as there is not by
any means 80 much risk In a trade with Ire
land as with feverstricken Africa, the price
of immigrants from Ireland would doubtless be
much cheaper than it can ever be with imported
African slaves. Indeed, if Irishmen could be
stolen without too much trouble, there would be
tremendous profit left to the importers, if
| they sold them at 500, or even $50, head.
| Has Mr.. Mitchell ever thnnsht of thar Why
o. the dangerous coast of Africa2 The
! voyage to Ireland is safe, for it is made in a
temperate climate. There are probably couple
| of millions of Irish men, women, and children,
at this day, who have not sufficient bread to eat.
What a mercy it would be to them to bring
them to a land where they would be clothed and
fed-and made to work.
But let us quote John Mitchell again:
"You have heard it said-Northern writer's
admit-that the true Southerner, who is come
of race of Southerners, stands in the very
front rank OF manhood, is brave and generous,
mirror of truth and honor, candid loyal, and
courteous. 1t is true. The high. souled nobil.
ity of Europe, while there toas a true mobility.
(aohtch there IS not nOa0,) greU from su6soiy
Of teuddt serfdom and UilLenage, and could not
haze groom acithOut ii. Slavery is that subsoil
here. DO you apprehend how it feeds the roots
and radicals of the virtues? Why thus-lying
and stealing are negro tricks. To be coward
is unworthy of white man"
Mark the italicised sentence. 1t suppests a
new idea. If the English nobility has sunk so
low for lack of Slavery, why would it cot be an
admirable plan for them to seize at once upon
their Irish neighbors, and by Law, solemnly en-.
act Irish Slavery There would then be a
wholesome competition between the two coun-
tries, and they would both be interested in sus.
tanning the Irish slave trade If any other ma.
ton we're foolish enough to indulge in senti.
mental philanthropy, and endeavor to interfere
with the lawful trade, the new Holy Alliance
would be equal to any emergencies. 1t is very
evident that the people of this country and
England are growing corrupt, sordid, wicked
and, if the stealing and abducting of few hun
dred thousand Irishmen will transform us all
into brave; generous, candid, loyal, noble men,
by all means let the experiment be tried. We
are the more encouraged that this idea is a
oIno 10 G.
Mitchell. He says:
Vi noted, during my tour-and, indeed. had
often noted it before-a peculiar gentleness of
demeanor and quiet courtesy, which, as said.
was attributable to the institution of Slavery.
1t is because the unquestioned possession of
great power, involving great responsibilities
which responsibilities are fully recognised by
public opinion-trains man to habits of self.
restraint. If man be a brute, yet he has
strong interest in habtually controlling his vio-
lent passions; if he be gentleman, he will |
control them because he is a gentleman if |
something intermediates, he will find himself |
acted upon by the public opinion of his neigh. |
bors and equals. The established custom is to |
speak gently to servants and 80 much of the |
intercourse of the people lie with their servants,
that this has created throughout society a soft |
ness OF manner and tone, which, in educated |
people, being united with dignity and selfpos. |
session, gives me the ideal Of a well. bred Der. |
son. l have seen the effect of this upon bows. |
You know it is q favorite saying of the North. |
ern people and the English, that one EVIL of |
Slavery is to make boys imperious and ctael. |
The opposite is true. Recollect, we are "a a |
land of rational and accountable beinosLa
Christian land, if you like, where certain max. |
inns of kindness, and brotherly love- and che sity,
and mercy, have not failed to penetrate--s.d il |