New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-05-12

HON. H, NJ. Folks LETTER.


in the absence of other equally desirable OF
labor, tor term of years to cultivate the uDculti-
waited millions OF acres of cotton and sugar growing
lands is beginning TO attract attention and to elicit
discussions OF its merits. Among the pioneers OF the
opponents of this policy is the author Of the commu
ncation to be found ia last weeks impression OF the
Times, to the task of answering which we shall now
devote ourself. In doing this we are aware OF the
disadvantages which shall encounter. Albeit, we
are willing to place construction of public neces
stiles in the scales with Others of dssmilar nature
provided it be not condemned until found spurious
| All that we desire is an unprejudced and clear.
sighted consideration OF what may be offered which,
We maintain, no one is capable or realizing who has
formed settled opinions without due and full inves
CATION.
The letter sets out with allusion to the haste
which characterized the passage of the Brigham bill
through the House, which fact speaks more for the
industry OF that body than was usual ; as the subse
quent votes on proposition to ask the Senate to re-
turn the bill to the former body did the determine
ton OF members to adhere to their previous votes
on the final passage OF the bill in the House. OF the
bill in question we shall say but little probably
nothing. With its friends it had objections but for
cogent reasons they opposed its being altered or
amended. As yet, we advocate no particular ap-
prentice scheme; the leading feature We believe Is
as near right as circumstances will permit Legisa-
tive wisdom perfect the principle of apprentice
ship by sslutary statutes; and by overlooking the
power and force these will have, Mr.. Polk has COM
mtted an error on which many Of his conclusions are
based. From this the logical inference is plain. We
desire the reader TO note particularly that much also
is drawn from the fact OF the imported Africans be-
ing free, which fact is where disproved or even
stoutly denied by Mr. Polk.
Arguing from this condition of freedom, Mr. Polk
paints dismal and deplorable picture of the trouble
these Africans will bring State when their free
dom is complete It is not absolutely necessary that
fifteen years shall terminate their term of service.
The longer their term the greater interest attaches
with US to their well-being-wheh Is a sufficient
ground to argue for long terms and consequent sub
lection TO u.s. their superi0rs. Some will die in ap.
premiership, Others reindenture be ab0rers for
life, Others may return to Africa and the residue
which will never number many hundreds can be dis.
posed OF in various ways by legislative enactments.
twenty-five Thousand, in this manner can be easily
cared for with benefit to themselves and profit to the
State at large. As to fears of characterization ne
have none. II our slaves have the desire to rise
against us, our danger is now a cause Of ALARM We
should be slow to admit this desire. But what ia the
desire without the knowledge to execute t and what
of such knowledge without the ability to execute
There must be, the desire to inee the slave; g. the
knowledge how to carry out the desire, and 8, the
ability or the means TO be employed in executing the
purpose. Is the CELESTIAL and benighted SAVAGE nos
sessed Of all these prerequisites that he can turn
topsy-turyy the minds OF slaves and marshal in
regiment squads our now 'ntelligent honest faith
uland christian servile popnati0nl The "benighted
savage possessed OF enlightened prudence and com
plete mastery Of the warke arts, and the faithful
Intelligent, honest and christian slave his tool and
his beloved masters assassin A dilemma, to DO
sure! Thus coucisely the "poor-housen and Gin
subordnationn arguments met.
The monopoly argument is a less serious obec-
ton. The number to be imported must be limited
lndiscriminate importers Interpretations defeat
this object Besides, other violations of law and hu
manty must havea k1l0trn responsible head TO
FOR such vioations-an impossbility where importa
ton is a pell-mell business And then how many
it free to all would be likely to 6t cut vessels
and undergo the trouble and incur the consequent ex
pense Drop the monopoly argument.
he .n,ffta 10 taLan - 1, E.r
saying "may' when they could have as easily used
"shall'' must when referring to the condition
OF the African when once his indenture has expired
The Legislature, we answer. has penary power to
deal with free negroes-to force them to quit our
soil to 60 into slavery. Is this denied We opine
not. No danger then OF fostering pauper Africans
long such intelligent legislators as Mr.. Polk go
TO our capitol.
Next comes an allusion to fraud which we will
consider in the legal point involved. 1--WE are dis
posed 10 drop the word legality as we think it some
what spurious. Why not say UonstitutionAlity We
naturally recur, then to reserved rights, totally
distinct from delegated powers)
AS to the report, we have nothing to do only so
far we have incurred the sponsorship of the little
thing "by heralding 1t to the publicl We know it
to have been carefully prepared, and probably as
well acquainted with the incidents OF its birth, the
history Of its fe and the purity of its extraction as
any one who has looked upon the features Of the
young giant 1t is not outcast, by any means and
when the sober, second thought assumes CONTROL 1t
Verify, the legality objection is something in
considerable, and after submitting the facts Of the
case MS evidence of this belief propose to let it
rest upon its merits. The attentive reader will reco
ect how his attention directed to the admission
of Col. Polk TO the social status of the African
how he raised superstructures tine benighed mans
freedom. Well would it be believed that transporting
freeman from Africa TO America was contrayening
the laws OF Congress in regard to he siave trade
Hardly. Yet the opponents Of this measure contend
for tins Illegal illogical unreasonable construction
Of laws and facts No will pretend to deny that
the child of tue imported African is other than free.
Not one. Hence, arguing a pri0ri, the mother land
father too, both similarly inGentured) must be
free, else the child is slave Tor life. This is ogi-
cal. Now, the decision Of the U. S. Supreme Court,
in the famous bred Scott case, very apply comes in
and says Congress has no power owes The African
only properly Tbnk that The S,stes denied
the right 20 import Africans, who are universally al
mited 10 bedr Tree children, and eonseq lenty, In all
manners o law free themselves, bv Congress wbch
the highest tribunal OF Judicial authority was decided
possesses no power over such persons ONLY as pro.
perry States Rights Democrats and all goou SonLb
ern men, win revoi. at sdeh Interpretation Of Fed
eral authorsv. There is still another nroo Of the
entire constlutionalily OF tnis measure which we
pass by, believing that Oh y Investigation anG refec
lion are wanted to establish this in every candid
mind.
As the preachers say, we must pass haselv on, for
fancy pleads mpatieuee Ieality advises TIE wapt
of space. The alusion made to the De r. ded stI,e
reet. Such is their polnal condition ard hence
their rio htfu subsection TO the white race. " we
canBol tutor them and make heir muscles observe
minds, as well as ehristianze ,hem, odt b0astip'
pride over The slaves ne have is Idle aud pnidst.
The lasisudinous philanthropy Of our lliend, who,
once convinced Of the business OF oar cause nigh.
meet with the sad fate Of Sir john Franklin in hlnt-
ing up the Esqnmaux, or the little less enviab'e one
anticip .tcd by Joe and Sneek in their sacred neaT
ness to " the wild Indian OF the West = while in
dnlgng advensu e. Is very Objectionable. Chaitv, or
wIch perhaps is bester word worldly chaiity is OF
reciprocal nature. Who would sow seeGs on rock,
or cry to the enraged bippopotamus ,or mercyS
Thee are many rebntting proofs against the "co:-
ton argument OF Nc. Polk. 1t is vain to dispute
the increasing demand for our great stan'es. The
exports of cotton Cor 81 very nearlv equal the enlie
stock produced in So, ani the price (or cotton we
mean) at an increase OF cent aound. Tue sup.
plv hiss keps pace with the demand by diversion
IRON oshes channels OF labor Of the operatives into
the mole p oitahle production OF cotton and sugar.
Our boastsd strides toward home manufacturing are
consequently psrayzed and We a again looking to
the North in great measure for domestcs prints,
etc.
The cotton stiin0 is being daily extended into
countries hisherso ignorant Of its utility. Are we
able TO maintain the MONOPOLY o. this trade so essen
tial 70 our prosperous existence? We look TO tle
natural Increase Of slaves, aud find it steadily
and ominouslv diniushing when compared TO The
like nc,esse in The whites. They are 3eing emanci-
pateu by last will and testament, thousands