The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1858-03-24

lance with the general veal, aud not alto
gether consistent with the genius Of repub
| lican institutions.
In addition to this consideration, Louisian;
is peculiarly fitted, by its climate and the
wanderful fertility of its, soil1 to the produc
ton of the staples referred to. For the wan
of an adequate SUPPLY of suitable labor, mil
lions of acres of the richest soil on which the
sun shines lie untouched in their native for
ests. This soil could not have been intended
by wise Providence to lie in its hidden
unredeemed state, the abode alone of untam
ed beasts. In it there are the undeveloped
resources of food and raiment for countless
millions of human beings. At this moment
commerce and the whole civilized earth are
asserting their demands on the fertile soil Of
Louisiana and the Southern States. Fortu-
nate is it that there is among our citizens an
intelligence and spirit of enterprise ready to
respond to these demands. We want more
Iaborers, and to supply this desideratum, to
some extent, is the purpose of the measure
under consideration.
But the demand for an increased amount
of labor is not asserted alone in the cultiya-
ton of cotton and sugar on the soil of Louis
lana. 1t is, in many quarters Of the world,
and in various channels Of industrial enter
prise, so pressing and imperative in its char
acter, that the ordinary conventionalities of
nations, in regard to the importation of for
eign labor, are set aside as opposed, at this
day, to practical political economy and the
e l.
has France embarked upon an extended sys-
tenn of importation CT free native Africans to
her West India colonies, and defends it be-
fore the world, not only as necessary for her
colonial interests, but as proper, philanthro-
pic, and Christian in its most enlarged sense.
The ideas OF many of the leading British
journalists and statesmen have taken the same
direction, with a view to a supply of British
colonies with suitable and reliable labor.
And, coming nearer home, already are some
of our sister Southern States moving in the
same direction. If we want presidents to
guide our action, we have them. If we do
not look to precedent, but would be control
led by enlightened judgment, Independent
thought, directed to our future agricultural
commercial, and political interests, still have
we abundant reason for giving our approval
to the measure before us.
On another point we will make single
remark: in reference to the assertion that it
would be in contrayention of sound policy
to introduce among our slave population SO
dangerous an element as this class of nden-
tured blacks would constitute. The dangers,
or evil influences from such introduction, are
wholly imaginary, The docile, tractable,
and subseryient natures and habits Of native
Africans, when transferred to our soil, are
notorious. They are, as is universally known
the least disposed, of every description of our
colored population, to discomfort, turbulence,
or instruction. And, as to the immigrant
Africans that may be introduced under the
operations of this Act. though indentured for
a term Of years, and in this rot having the
political status belonging to involuntary and
servitude, still, their color, their
instincts, habits, and the character of their
service, will, place them precisely on level
with the black population already establish
ed among us.
And, on another point, which is presented
rs one Of some difficulty, as to the disposition
that shall be made of them when their term
Of service has ended, we need say no more
than that they may indenture themselves for
a further time, if it should be for no longer a
period than would be necessary to realize
sufficient amount Of means to enable them to
return to their native country, or to Liberia,
for the appreciation and enjoyment of the
republican and Christian institutions of
which government, they will, in some meas
IRE have been fitted by a temporary appren
-iccship on American soil.
In conclusion, we will only add that it |
must be apparent to all that no species of
1bor can possibly be better adapted to the
various works ofinternal improvement in our
State, or for constructing and building up
he railroads of the Southern States. There
S not a more important consideration than
his involved in the policy Of this bill.
For these, and other considerations, not
necessary now to be referred to, the Commit
zee unanimously recommend the passage Of
he bill.
(Signed) EDWARD DELoNY,
W. NJ. KIDD,
john LAIDLAw,
VIM. CcTTRELL,
S. +. GooDE.
attest, OSCAR ARRoyo,