The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1858-12-15

| BACKING DoWN.- For some weeks a spirited
controversy has been going on between the
Charleston Mercury, the great exponent O
southern rights democracy, and the Montgome-
~ Confederation, the central organ Of the Ala
bama democrats. In reviewing one of the ar,
tieles put forth by the Mercury, the Confede
Grafton makes the following remarkable con-
| fession:
! :" We thank the Mercury for its article, since
| it gives us an opportunity of expressing what
me understand by southern rights democracy
We understand southern rights democracy, as
generally accepted and understood oflate years
and particularly as preached by latter-day po-
! liticians, TO BE FICTION to have no founda
ton in reason or Justice, to be merely name,
slogan cry, rallying watchword for disap'
pointed politicians to ride into power! What
man of intelligence but knows that there IS nc
such thing as southern rights democracy? What
rights have the south in the Union that do not
equally belong to the north, the east, and the
west? What rights have Alabama in the con-
federacy that do not equally belong to Maine?
And under what clause of the constitution can
to Illinois? Away, then, forever with this mis-
cradle cry of southern rights, and let the true
issue be made on the true grounds, equal
rights to all the States, and the equal protec-
ton of the laws to every man in every State and
territory of the Union for his life, his property,
and his religion. State rights and national de-
mocracy are one and the same, and can by no
manner of augmentation be made to differ in
the hundredth part of degree, since man
who is a state ri ghts democrat, believing in the
equal rights of all the States, is by very ne
cessity national democrat, in its broadcast
and best sense while national democrat is
of necessity state rights democrat by virtue
Of the doctrine which makes him NATIONAL
These miserable distinctions in party appella-
tion-distnctions without meanng-have al
ready been sufficiently productive of evil to the
south and her interests, and it has come to be
full time that these party watchwords should
be abandoned.''
So we now have the authority of the organ
Of the Alabama democracy for proclaiming the
southern rights democracy to be "a fiction!''-
in plain terms, humbug.
The British parliamentary evidence Of the
condition of the dressmakers' apprentices in
London, according to the Times, shows that in
ordinary cases eighteen hours day is the al
lotted period for work. and during the height
of the season young girls are often only allowed
four hours repose, when they are aroused to
resume their toll. Strong coffee is administer
ed to enable them to ply their needles for "a
hours without relaxation. This is truly me-
lancholy state of affairs, and deserves the Sc
rious attention of the philanthropic much more
than all the missions to the barbarians and So
cieties for the enIightment of mankind. But,
even in this country the condition Of those poor
girls who are compelled to toll with the needle
to obtain livelihood is deplorable. By the N.
York Express we perceive in that city caps for
men and boys are made at 12t cents per dozen
pantaoons at / 5 cents pair, shirt-bosoms at
IA cents per dozen, and shirts at FIVE cents
each. There are full &C, 900 working women in
the city of New York, not all working at these
starvation rates, but vast majority of them
are. The laborers generally, and clerks, in
New York, are forced to labor day and night
for nominal wages, whilst their employers style
themselves merchant princes" and riot in
wealth, Or cut swell on credit. The root of
the evil, is the disposition Of the people to crowd
into large cities and towns, instead of cutiva-
ting the soil.
The secretary of the navy has received an
official letter from the veteran commodore
Stewart, avowing his determination to resign
from the service, unless he is restored to the
position he held previous to the action of the
naval retiring board. In that case the gallant
hero-who while in command of the U. States
frgate Constitution, during the last war with
Great Britain fought and won one of the most
brilliant naval battles which ilume the pages
Of history-he intends to return to the presi-
dent the swords, medal, and other tokens he
received from congress and several States as
evidence of their appreciation of his gallant
services in times past. The old sailor is right.
In these days of progress, the government can
the services Of none save the poiti-
cal demagogue, or the servile tool of the office
holders
The official report Of the Jackson and Great
Western railroad to the city council of New
Orleans, shows the great value of that enter
prise both to the corporation and the company
The estimated receipts for this year arc one
million of dollars; and when the connections
are completed through Tennessee, cannot be
less than two millions per annum. The vast
resources of the region of country penetrated
by the road arc just beginning to be appreci-
atcd. Already lands bordering on the line of
the road have advanced 500 and often 1000
per cent. on thel value three years ago. The
railway makes the surrounding country for
hundred miles the suburbs of the city. Such
are the wonders it works.
~I~-~~ru->-~
A bill has been introduced in the Georoia
Legislature providing for the removal of all free
persons of color from the State after LIST day of
January, 1860. IF they remain after that time