Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-01-28

cotton will probably be doubled during the next
twenty five years and will certainly be greater
than ignorant slave-labor can supply. Nothing
but more careful system of agriculture, such
as that which is pursued by free-labor, and
which exhibits itself in a careful nursing of the
land and rotation of crops, will ever enable our
cotton lands to meet the growing demand for
cotton. 1t is far from sensible in the South to
tell us of the North that we have no rights or
interests in the subject of cotton growing with
in our national limits that they are to be the
Judge of our necessities, and that they have an
exclusive right to run valuable lands to waste
through an inefficient save-labor when that
land is needed for free abor. Such talk is
passionate and puerile.
The evil is egrowng one, and growing fear
fully too and it must be met in a sober, II an
full spirit Even as foreign nation, the North
would have well recognised right to inquire
of the South what she intends by raising up
such an empire of the African race on this con-
tinent. AS the means of just self-defence
against the inevitable encroachmcnts of such
an empire the North would be impelled TO some
self.conservative action in the case. Such a
course would be warranted, even to the deca-
ration of war if needs be, by the law of nations
and cannot the North do as a legitimate part
ner of the South what she might do as an in
dependant sovereignty? The child is now born
who may see thirty millions of the African race
crowded into the southern part of the American
Union, if some measures are not soon taken to
prevent their increase; and is there any one
who believes that single being of the white
race could then live among themP
The opposition to Helpers book is not the
first opposition which the South has made to
the disclosures which it sets forth. This book,
or by far the best part of it, is nothing but
signifcatve exhibition OF the results of the last
census. These results were anticipated and
feared by Southern members of Congress be-
fore the census was taken, and great efforts
made by them to prevent anything from being
enumerated except the inhabitants of the coun-
try. As the time has arrived for the taking of
another census, it can be understood why SO
much sticking towards proceeding TO business
is based upon Helpers book. The South dep
recates another census as the final knell of their
cherished institution; and if legislation is dis
organized and arrested, that census cannot be
taken, at least by the general government.
But such an ostrich like policy as this, hiding
ones eyes in the sand, -thnking that not to
see is as good as not to be seen, will never do
for men. The question must he met openly and
boldly; and in extricating herself from the
pitch into which it has been so easy and so lux
urious for her to sink, the South must receive
the assistance offered by the strong arm of the
North; for no vicious institution, like that of
a slave State, was ever yet able to reform it,
SELF it must have exterior aid and help or it
must perish.
If any one, being concerned for the interests
of the country is rendered timd or doubtful by
the passionate clamors and terrors of disunion
with which the democracy seek to surround,
protect and perpetuate human slavery, let him
revert to the sentiments Of one who led us safe
ly TIN ough the darkness and perils OF our revo-
]
freedom, and rely upon his sentiments as safe
ones to follow in the difficulties that may row
seem to beset our national progress. Amds,
the demagogic cutlery from partzan politicians
we NAV follow the voice of the Father of hi,
Country with the same confidence that the mar.
liner follows his chart and compass amidst the
charm of the midnight tempest.
General Washington, in letter to Robert
Morris, dated Mount Vernon, April ~, 1856
in speaking Of slavery, says:
II can only say that there is not man living
who wishes more sincerely than do to see
plan adopted for the abolition of it. But Their,
is only one proper and eifectual mode by which
it can be accomplished and that is by legislativ,
authority; and this, as far as my suffrage vii
so, shall never be wanting
With such sentiments as these as the pitcl
TO the music of our national march and pro
gress, we can judge ourselves whether our New
England sentiments and measures have become
out of tune with the recessities of the age o
not, and also to what extent our fears may ope
rate to prevent the application of the prope
remedy. J. W. P.