The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1860-01-10
Tuesday, 5anuary 10, 1860.
EsyY. CALI, Associate Editor.
Negro McchanEcs.

without pretending 10 enter into logical discussion
othe right of property to employ such proper
ty as may best subserye their recuaiary interest we
are free to assert that it is decidedly inpoc to force
slavery into any channel where it materially Injuries
who are best adapted to protect the interests Of the
6nstitution when assailed Ill physical manner. We
are of opinion in common with many Others that it is
in view of the present precarious condition OF public
affairs a matter Of no small consideration that we
should strive to secure the most perfect unanimty Of
sentiment among all classes at the South. To this
.end it is necessary that endeayor to expc every
.dstrcting cause that may be found to exist in our
social organism even though it may cost the sacrifice
of our present apparent pecuniay rights and interest
In disposing of questions affecting the vitality Of our
section We should not always be guided by present
seeming policy and aaiantage nor should We allow
Gpomlch scrsitiveness upon our individual rights to
ijpteYvc,e and prevent reasonable sacrifice Of person
,sl good upon the altar Of common interest If be
our purpose to maintain the institution of slavery is
fccrtainF policy not to create feeling of hostility
towards it. in the minds of those at ome who would
sc properly protected in their varied hanctafts and
trades prove an element Of defence necessary to Sc
cue an uninterrupted enjoyment of the profits incident
dhercto. 1t may be all well enough to theorize upon
the indirect relations of interest existing between the
institution and every phase population ut the South
hut the uhc mechanic whose support is apportioned
to the amount Of work accomplished and the price Sc
cured therefor requires practical manifestation
thereof before he can assent the rcasonngs Of such
losopby, rcfuted as it is by the everyday practical
m We venture the assertion that there few CON-
unities in the South who not daily endeavoring
10 ccononise by the employment of slare mechanics Il
&uch system deserves to be looked upon as even a
s$rcsent economy The owners of slave mechanics arc
Enabled to find remunerative employment for their in
cstment in the Institution While the white mechanic
forced to eke out but half living beside the sturdy
es.ro who fattens upon price for his labor at which
the white cannot work with anything like an ef-
4 fort to maintain the distinction TO which he should
aspire He is not only forced to labor for the same re-
m,lneraton as the slave mechanic but oen-tmes finds
difficulty in securing work enough to keep him en-
ployed on account Of the plentude Of negro mecan-
ics and the aceomm odatng terms upon which they
;nay be obtained.
q We discover no improperly In stakeholder pos
scssing and using upon his premises negro labor IN
such manner as he may deem il valuable. But, tho
question wears quite different costume when he
throws this labor into competition with the white me-
charic, thereby breaking down scale of prices, at
ylch the Write man is able to maintain himself with
somcthing like comfort and respectability Although
1T would appear as crcumscrbing the right Of direc-
.tn and use ofpropery, there is no doubt that some
enactment in reference to this matter will yet be
necessary to curb the sborsghted policy of those who
sgaily and yearly sowing the seeds OF disafection to
the instiHtiop by allowing it to extend in privilege
bcyoni its appropriate latitude.
Aside from the injury which results to the white
mechanic directly there is ineaGiabls damage to the
general growth and enterprise ofany community where
slase mechanics .preponderate. The Ret psoeeods Of
their labor are not in general aciye in circulation and
engaged in building and other enterprises arc those
~ the white mechanic Hence the community a
hole experiepc yery serious drawback and stag:
S,enec uaopSsss ultimate advantage: e: Ifyou
~ spirit of entdrprise and Improvement in a
tyi you concent fate the pccliniary resources
'sS the hands Of tlS few to be dioled out most
in any cause ,@ does not guaranty the
personal aayatt tttage
3 9arks upon tlis 1subjcct are not made with a
s15ips up stri6 ,Hr producing dseorl where
-