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

An intelligent correspondent Of the Baton Rouge
Sugar Planter, Of the LIST inst signing himself Fair
fax presents some views in favor OF the African
immigration measure which came very near passing
the last Louisiana Legislature, in a very able and
forcible manner We give the communication place
in our columns for the general information OF the
public. Here 1t is:
THE AFRICAN APPRENTICE BrLL.--A considerable
number Of our newspapers throughout the State have
published and freely commented on the bill providing
for the importation Of free African aborers which
passed the House without opposition at the last ses-
sion Of the Legislature and defeated by vote
only, in the Senate and notice that the prevailing
tone OF the press Is in favor of the scheme. But,
whatever the opinion expressed on the subject it is
one OF such importance to the State, that am glad
TO II discussed in all its points and bearings rs it
will doubtless come before the Legislature again next
winter, and the members OF both Houses will by that
time be thoroughly posted as TO the sentiments Of
their constituents As far have yet been able
judge majority OF the people Of Louisiana are in
avor OF the measure 10 the shape in which ii passed
the House OF Representatives, but at the same time
many Of these same friends of the bill imagine that
they can discern In the distance o mountain Of bad
consequences as the result OF attempting to carry
such law into effect.
A large proportion Of our planters need the cheap.
ened and additional labor which the Inauguration Of
the Apprentice system proposes TO produce but the
decrease In the value OF slaves which il would also
ptoDApiy tHccts - uy no means pnatAhle to another
portion Of the planting interest. But the main ar
gument OF those opposing the scheme is, that it
would result In burthening the State with large
and worse than worthless free negro population.
This Is certainly contingency that should have its
proper weight in future legislation upon the ques-
ton but see no reason why the law cannot be 50
framed as to meet this grave objection which is nut
forward as insurm0untable. Every possible evil that
can arise in carrying out the Apprentice project may
be guarded against at the start IL there be bane
let az antidote go with IT, and the system will work
well. II il but reasonable TO suppose that large
proportion Of the apprentices would at the expira
ton Of their first term OF SERVICE be willing to renew
their indentures on the receipt Of small bonus
even though they might wish to change masters
and, as TO such as should not be willing to ente
upon new term OF apprenticeship, let there be snni
provision In the law authorizing their importation
for sending them back TO Africa
At the time the bill was before the Senate, / ex
pressed my conviction that augmentation OF negr
labor OF the character contemplated, actually NJ
cessary to development OF the agricultural resoui
ces OF the State, and the strongest question the
mooted was whether snch law would conflict in an
manner with the Federal Constitution, or the power
OF The General Government. In this connection,
am pleased 70 learn that in the opinions Of some
the ablest legal minds In the State no such contit
gency can arise and, as have before stated, | Sc
no great diihcnlfy in satisfactorily dsposing Of a
lhe local objections urged against the project. tn
friends OF the bill seem to feel confident that wit
certain changes i will pass at the next session of til
Legislature. and confess to being decidedly in fave
OF having the experiment tried.