Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-03-23
VOLUME xxIF.-...yI o. ly

from a more Thorough investigation OF :tt,e.ss
subject" caused to some extent BY the inter
ference of the aboitionists, as Judge IlHnnpk
Justly observes. Now, that there has bcensia
our country much intellectual progress, ls NOT
to be denied. But, on most questions OF gens:s
raj craftsmanship we have not far outsfip PedsSS
the early patriots, even if we have attained. .tg:
the wisdom which distinguished them. We:
still yield reverential acqniescence int thels'
judgment on most subjects 0ns the sabs 81
ject Of slavery we have grown wiser frVm ex.ss
periuco and time. And there ID one great sx
pertinent in the philosophy Of slavery xiicass
time and experience alone could have madtj
which has thrown more light upon the ades,s
ton in ali its bearings than was pos1esded ~
all the wisdom Of our ancestors. And tht5
experiment has done mulch to bring ns tosGs
'full understanding aud appreciation OF the;
true character of this Institution: What II Ass!
that experiment? 1t is u practical one. til
the one which has been made the develsp
ment Of those great agricultural depar rtnests
OF industry and labor, in which slavery has5:
been chiefly employed, and which has rssaltsd IS
in the exhibition OF the wonderful truitM MlnesA&
and productive value of negro iaksr. The q,
utility and value Of the institution, thus ssihez
ed and established; has arousedius 70 bette
understanding Of the nature Of the institotioas
and proven to the world and to ourselves that
it is good institution. This deyelopmeltsof
its usefulness, which renders it more q Sbless;&
ing Ito both races" is by far the sttongest ~
gument that ever was made in its behalf f.
has been, both substantially and literati
leading argument in defence Of slavery focs
the theory and metaphysics nll followed in tps
wake. Neither is this the acknowledg toeS:
fact which shareholders or the friends ofs 6
slavery need be ashamed Of. No stronger; ;at ' :
gument can be had uf the divine origin, sud &;
Of the moral foundation of slavery, than the
fact of its great utility " malsina- the
maker and consumer OF it's products, and nisQ
to the slave himself. The fact that these sable
descendants of African barbarians are mnde
the industrious producers of those nrticlessS
which add so much to the comfort of the Roridj
and so much to the progress Of commerce.,
cation, and the vehicle of Christianity, Is, TO-
my mind, no small evidence Of the wisdom and +;
the "forecas." Of that mysterious Providence
which transferred them hither. Nor 3is thu
argument of utility the less strong, when Wi
take into consideration the vast, irailSoysa
condition of the Southern slave morally
socially, as compared to the miserable Yictin3S I
of the opposite course Of things at the Noral6
Which resulted in demonstrating their utilitsPg
and caused them to be emsncipated and casf
out to perish. think, therefore, that Idoaa
Injustice to the conscience of the. South, and
no violence to the defence Of slavery when B
say that the vast ucrcase Of the usefulness and
value of slaves hns something to do,with .tlisE
change Of opinion which has taken place in
the South within the last forty years. 5;g3
If at the North, Slavery had continted ii
grow more aud more useful and valuable, iui
stead Of becoming worthless, by reasoaof thd
density Of their population, and the cheapneAS
Of other lorn,s of labor. accompanied tsss.4e1
fact that tItrc :-rs'a !''
e -. ..i,m.i. industry 10 sFiiat:-sattss;