New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-12-09
HELPING HELPER,

Mr.. HELPER is a young gentleman of the State of
North Carolina who born in the midst of Slavery, and
knowing the influences of upon his native State, and
upon the whole country has not conceived so high an
opnon of its worth as be entertained by many
who live BY its proceeds Coneeiying himself disin-
terested witness Of its effects he wrote book about
IL addressed chiefly to the minds of those of his own
class the whites of the South who not slayehOd
ers In many respects his book is admirable book;
not equal doubtless literary performance, to Ba-
cons Advancement of Learning, nor so interesting as
Uncle Toms Cabin but plain, sensible, intelligent
and convincing argument against Slavery.
Mr. Helper first ehapteris comparison enthe
results Of Slave Labor and Free Labor, drawn mainly
from the statistics of the last census and showing con-
clusiyey the superiority of freedom. The author takes
the States one by one contrasts their physical and
commercial condition, compares their productive re-
ources their commerce. their wealth, their education
al establishments their newspapers and churches, and
the rapdiiy of their progress in all the elements OF
civilization, and the conclusion he demonstrates is that
in ever,hing that contributes the welfare and hap
np. of man, the Free States are mmeasuraby in adj
vance of the slave States. Slavery, he proves has
retarded the prosperity of the whole South, mpoyer-
sbipg and depopulatng the cities laying the country
under tribute TO the North degrading the free white
men. and corrupting the slayeowners. Not with
feeling of triumph lie eonfesses but with profound
Modification and regret Mr. Helper records the results
of his patient and comprehensive Investigations They
were 40 humilsting the South, and sueh reproaeh
mon the intelligence independence, and energy OF his
oveountrymen, that be was forced to cry out
against the abuses inflicted upon fertile and beautiful
region BY the selfihness OF small class among its In
habitants.
In his second chapter Mr.. Helper proceeds to IN
onre how the cause of all this siagnatiOn and wrong
NAV be removed or, in other words, how Slavery,
The onstrous mother of the horde OF evils he had un-
covered NAV be abolished. And in his answer he
touches upon the sOrest point of the SYSTEM irritating
II in such way that the defenders Of Slavery, IN and
out of Congress, are bowling with the pain. Seven
eehihs of the people Of the South, says author,
are observation-disclosures having no interest in the affair,
and only oppressed and degraded by its existence.
They have been robbed by il Of that prosperity which
they might have otherwise attaned the industry OF
their free arms has been paralyzed by it, they have
been kent in ignorance by il; and they practically,
through its effects deprived of the better part OF their
political and social rights. The sayehotders eohlIoi
The political machinery of the South they ENJOY me
profitable Offices; they determine the o9nsluera.lon
ard rank of men in society and, IN all their private
and public conduct, depor themselves exclusively
with reference 10 their own predominant interests
Though numbering all told, not more than three hun
bred and fifty thousand persons while the other nee
whites number six millions at least they assume 70
themselves peculiarly the name OF me SOUTH, ana
always talk AZ if Slavery were the only fact in South
ern life. The ak millions Of observation-disclosures are as
much ignored by them as if they were only 80 many
cattle many beasts Of burden.
Now this is degrading position for the free whites,
according 70 Mr. Helper, and the remedy ne proposes
for it is one growing directly out Of the evil he
counsels the non-slavehoding freemen to set up little
for themselves to protest against the dssPosm Q,
their ogarehy, and manage their political and social
Affairs ia view of the larger interests of the whole
people, and not for the benefit Of single class We
are strong he Observes to his brother freemen; we
have rights, and we ongbt to maintain them lie adj
| vses, therefore, a means OF praeueal eEeel, Tue
adoption Of the following principles; -
81. Thorough organization and independent pontE
cal action on the part Of the nou.sayshodng whites Of
/ the S9usb.