The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-09-28
public domain, let US look further and see

in which the slave States are found--an in
creasing, stationary and declining period.
In the State of Delaware, and in Maryland,
the number of slaves is rapidly diminishing
Delaware, in 1900, had population OF
40, $50 whites, $3.50 free colored, and 6,l5O
slaves, or one-ninth of the whole population.
In 1850 there were 7l,169 whites, 1903
free colored, and 1920 slaves, or about one
in forty of the whole population. Delaware
is in. the declining stage of her condition as
regards slavery; it must of necessity soon
become free State. Slavery is constantly
gravitatiDg towards the tropics; it never
can extend towards the North, as these
statements which have made clearly show.
In Maryland, in 1900, the white popula-
ton was ZIG, 1926, free colored 19, 537, slaves
lO5,635, or nearly one-half slaves. In 1850
the white population was ALI, 943, free col.
ored 74,724, slaves 99,368-not one-fith
slaves
Let us next look at the District of COlum-
bia. In 1920 the whole population was
22,6l4, free colored 4,043, slaves 6,377, or
one-fourth slaves. In 1850 the white pop
uation was 51,687, free colored 10,05O,
slaves 1867, or about one .twentieth.
Iftheseare facts in relation to the progress
of free labor in this conflict with slave labor
on this continent, what need is there of so
much alarm about slaverys overrunning the
entire country, or that it will continue to
increase when we see that the arm of slave
ry is every day weakened and its power is
constantly diminishing But if we had only
the census of 1860, we should see much
more rapid decline in slavery han we now
see to exist.
But l may say something of other States.
The State of Virginia and the State of
Missouri have now come to the stationary
point in the history of Slavery, and before
them there is that inevitable decline which
always follows the stationary position. To
the State of Virginia, in the county where,
in 1857, founded New England town,
found about two hundred slaves, there are
now less than one hundred. The slave pop
ulatioD of Western Virginia is rapidly d.
minishing. And in the State of Missouri
you are aware that the popular feeling is
diminishing in favor of slave labor and in
creasing in favor of free labor. Then there
is Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennes-
see approaching the stationary period, and
will soon be in the stationary state and
may add to them Texas. What need of
doubt or distrust of the power of free labor
to overcome all obstacles? give you these
facts because you are not accustomed to
have them presented to you. 1 have never
seen them printed in any periodical in this
country, nor have I found them in any
speech.
give them as facts to encourage free
dom-loving men, and to show that the arm
of free labor Is stronger than cabinets, and
presidents, and princes, and IS able to, and
will, triumph over achatever po,0er may be
brought against its progress. (Great ap-
pause) If 1 thought l was sacrificing the
success of the cause of free labor l should
not present these facts; but tell you, gen.
tlemen, that as member of the Republi-
can party, l do scorn and detest that feeling
which shrinks before the slave power OF
this country and dares not to meet it in
any conflict that may be proposed. l do
not ask any advantages, l simply adhere to
all the constitutional provisions which we
claim exist against that power and which
are sufficient to hold it within its present
limits. AS surely as / believe in the fact
that there is power in this country to go
beyond anything which has yet existed in
the world in the way of civilization, so do |
believe that free labor is one of the elements
as nell as the cause of such a state of things