New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-07-16
THE SLAVE TRADE.
specla, to the New orlsau. crescent,l

Special to the New Orleans Cfeecent.J
CLINTON, La July H. 1859.
Eds. Crescent: The attempts which are being
made by the Southern opponents of the slave trade
to give it the cast of political question, with the
hope thereby of defeating necessary measure is
very weak and disngenious device, and shows their
utter inability to combatit with sound common sense
reasons. Having advocated the right Of the people
of louisiana to purchase their slave property where
ever Is with other property, they find the cheap
est market, deny that it has been attempted, or
even desired, by the advocates Of this policy to con-
meet 1t with politics or in any manner to make it
political test. Indeed the very nature Of this ques
ton is of such o character that it cannot be well
made political, or even entirely Southern ques.
ton. l consider it eminently question solely of
State policy, OF which each State must Judge for
itself of the need and want of more and cheaper
slave labor, and consider it also q question with
which the Federal Government has neither rightfuly
or consttutionally, anything to do, the ant.slave
trade laws to the contrary Notwithstanding. These
enactments amount to nothing more nor less than an
exercise Of undelegated power, and are, therefore,
fragrant usurpations and Of no binding force the
slave States having never surrendered the right TO
purchase negro property-just as the Northern peo
pie have the right to purchase such kind of property
as they want from the cheapest market.
have said that this cannot well be made entirely
Southern question, for the plain reason that only
part Of the slave States are in want Of more and
cheaper slave labor and have said that it was
question OF policy appertaining solely to each State
to be judged of and acted upon, as each NAV deem
necessary and proper. We are aware that Virginia,
Maryland, and some other slave States. are not in
need OF any greater amount of slave labor than they
already have at the same time, we know that Ala.
bama, Mississippi, Florida Louisiana, Texas and Ar
kansas, are greatly in want of very large addition
of such labor Now, if either one of these States
shall think proper to authorize, or adopt the ueces
sary means to supply her citizens with more and
cheaper slave labor, what right has either of the
other States to ntepose their objections and if the
people Of Louisiana shall decide to supply themselves
with more slave labor and go to Cuba, or Africa. for
this supply, where they can procure it on much
cheaper terms than in Richmond or Baltimore, what
right has Virginia and Maryland to join in with Mas
sachusetts and Connecticut to denounce and aid in
hanging them up by the necks as pirates for so
doing? The State of Texas is vast field for the pro
ftabe employment of slave labor, and there is great
want for it by her people yet it is SO scarce and at
such high prices that they totally unable to sup.
ply themselves from the home market. Now. if that
gallant State shall think proper to take the necessary
steps to supply her people with this needed labor on
cheap terms, would Louisiana have any right to in.
terpose to prevent it? None, whatever. This whole
matter them rests with each State acting for itself in
its own clear right and upon the judgment or will of
its own people, and there is no rtghtfM pouer under
the sun to oppose or prevent it.
sto be hoped, then that this question will be met
on its true merits and that its Southern opponents,
who are SO fearful Of offending Northern sentiment
and fanatcism will take If they can, some more req
sonable and justiable grounds of opposition. 1t is
no political question, and if they can find no other
grounds of opposition to it than that nauseating,
Northern sentimentaty, which they are urging and
arrayng against it, it would be better for their own
selfrespect that they should remain quiet.
Respectfully, etc.