Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-05
Conservative Views.


The Hon. Nathan Appleton, of Boston, has written
letter the Hon. VIM. c. Rves of Virginia upon the
political condition Of he country large portion oft
is formed extract from letter written by the author
in 1912 Mr. A. recaptulates the leading public events
in the progress of Aboitonism up the present time,
and concludes as follows:
81 have thus endeavored to give fair view ofthe
course OF human events which have brought about the
preent unhappy of feeling Inow proceed to pre-
sent views of practical common-sense character,
which appear 70 me to commend themselves as standing
on basis which cannot be shaken. say to the North,
the free States why agiae discuss at all the ques
ton OF slavery There four millions of negro slaves
in certain States of the Union with about seven millions
OF Whites Between the two there is an impossible
gulf which makes amalgamation absorption impossi-
bic. So strong is this antagonsm OF race that many OF
the Free States pass the most stringent laws in order to
keep free negroes of their borders, considering
them q public nuisance. No
possibly believe that these eleven millions
can live together with equal rights under
institutions. As to emigration, that is equally out of
the question 1t is utterly inadequate, If desirable Its
easy to point where they would be better Off 1t
is doubtful II il would be in any Of the West India Is
lands under their system Of Coolies. Certainly not
IN Canada where they not wanted and where they
are miserable Then there is the question Of property
10 smound of thousands of millions of dollars This,
TO be sure is nothing to thoroughgoing Aboitonist,
who scouts the idea of making chattel The pOt
ical economist however knows that all property Is the
of legislation. Anything property which the
law makes Slaves therefore property in the slave
States and OF the free States have nothing do with
the question. Can any man Of common sense suppose
such amount of property can be abandoned annih
aed> Slavery has died out when slaves cease TO have
value and before. Where there has been unity of
race they have been absorbed but with us that mpos
sble. All attempts Of the North therefore, TO affect the
state Of slavery in the South utterly idle and futile
Doubtless some improvement may be made in the treat
OF slaves but this had best be left to the parties
interested All pressure from without is hateful and I'M
justifable.
To the South would saw why continue this useless
agitation upon distractions? You have possession
OF all the territory in which slave labor be prodta
bly, employed and large enough 10 allow Its expansion
| for many generations. Why trouble yourselves about
slavery the territories which is not suited? Why
claim expect equality OF political power secOnaly
when your white population is less than half that Of the
free States with the proportion constantly increasing by
foreign immigration: Why threaten disunion unless you
control the Presidential eecong Your true palla
dunn is the Constitution Of the United States. This is
ark Of safety On full and calm consideration the
united North will feel little inclination as they have
power trouble themselves with your institution Why
talk Of dsuniOn? peaceable separation is impossible
y sane msu car, think it otherwise A Southern Con-
ederacy of necessity be confined TO the territory
East of the Mississippi. The great West will never
sent give up the possession OF that river their high
way nor New Orleans as their great market. Who will
\
tiouis may up the business Of entcing runaways
exciting insurrection without remedy? civil war,
servie war may be easily brought about under excited
passions but peaceable dissolution of this glorious Union
voluntary disruption OF great nation appears TO me ut
ery impossible; impossible is the abolition of slavery
III right 10 my conclusions there in reality nothing
between the North aud the South quarrel about The
idea that there is irrepressbe conflict between the
free States and the slave States is simply absurd and
true. There is antagOniSm between slave labor and
free labor respects the States Ii there is any such
autagonism at all it only be those States where
the two systems prevail together This can be no cause
for ilbood in the North If this state OF things exists
in the South it would furnish good argument why they
should Join the North in wishing for protection TO our in
dlstry in order bring their white labor into action
The actual condition OF the North aud the South in their
natural productions is most favorable trade and in
tercourse mutually advantageous and agreeable. The
present arrangement the abstract question: is as uu
natural as It Is Uuchrstdn That mutual interest and
mutual goodwill may resume their natural functions
throughout the nation, is the sentiment with which sub
.cribe myself, with great regard
Your friend and obedlent servant
NATHAN APPLETON
l D.. NJ 10 rcco