, 1860-08-01

Il mATTKH TO BE THOUGHT OF.
The decennial census is NOW being taken
under the authority Of the laws Of the Uaitcl
States. Admit that the rate Of increase of
the slave population in the South is that which
is shown by 4 comparison Of the enumeration
Of 1870 with that Of 1850, and whom the foot
jugs ot the count are made up, it will be seen
that this country contains servils class, de-
graded race. amounting in round numbers to
nearly Jour aad quarter millions !-an IN
crease Of million, or twenty. y.ninc per cent, in
the ten years which have e1apsed s:n:e the
last enumeration was made. In ten shortyeara
more, the same ratio Of increase being obscrv-
cd, the number will be lve-apd.a-Aalf millions
and in 1880 nearly If not quite seven millions;
in 1880, nine millions; in 1900, eleven millions,
eight hundred thousand; in 1910, fifteen mil
lions, having quadru9led its alarming proper
tions IN half q century. There are fsrsoas1 1o~
lirinq, Hho, if there is no change in the policy
| Of tue government, and no move on The part
| Of the STATES toward emancipation, VII see the
slave population Of this free country reach the
enormous aggregate Of JGty millions Of souls =!
Is there nothing in these figures from which
the american people may learn lesson that
will throw light upon the contest now being
waged between the political parties? is there
no danger to he apprehended FROM the growth
Of the destructive element in lie body polite?
Have we no hopes Of tie future Of this Kepua-
lie that the men who seek to limit and restrict
the spread Of this fearful evil mag bo branded
as 1anatics, asitators, traitors? Have VIC no
! duties toward man and God that we can safely
turn away from the dark prospect ahead, and
permit tho cupidily and tyranny Of the supe-
rior class in the South to increase and perpet-
| uate tho danger which lowers like an angry
| cloud above us7
When, we ask, if the Democracy are not
blind guides, are we 10 begin the work which
sta1cs US in tho lco, and calls loudly upoa us
! as christians aud patriots? Shall We offer
new rewards to the propagation Of slaves p
Shall we devote new lands to their wasteful
and destructive til|age? Shall we make sla.
cry the rule Of the Republic, and devote the
youthful energies Of the nation to its peypetua-
tio1? Is there nothing to fear in that COURSE?
| In spite Of whips and chains, forced labor and
the jealous precautions Of masters, intelli-
gence is stealing in upon that mass Of human
ity which the whips scourge and the chains
bind To-day many plantation has its hu'
man soul to whom the joys Of liberty att
ever present, md upon whom the yoke pres
ees-year by year rost intolerable burden
Day by day new ideas steal in aad light VI
that ignorance which lhe ruling class wou1e
make perpetual; and ideas are immortal
Once infused into the race, they become it:
property and nothing can destroy or eradicate
them. The slaves to-day - human in al
their attributes and eager in their better de
sires-haye replacod tho almost beasts Of tw'
centuries ago. The Saxons Of Englaud, fit,
years after the Norman conquerer overrap til
land and put collars on their neckst wer
not SO much enlightened. not so much ci'
ilized as the descendants OF Tie Aff'cs:
now held in bondage in the South. Wiz
; two hundred years did for them, fourth
: that time will, 80 superior are the advantage
. Of the present, and so rapid the march {
L knowledge, do for the down-trodden Of on
own land. The day Of their resistance, thouG
men shut their eyes that tLey may not see
= draws fearfu}}y near. They will como to the
Runuy ucde, not as bold barons With their II
4 tainers, hut as the avengers Of the long Al,
E cruel wrongs that have been heapsd up9
r their race; and wherever they march, rivers
:. blood and surges Of lrc will follow. Henrt
arrest the impending calamity, by putting it IN
= the hearts Of the American people to do som
T. thing, wAle they may, to avoid tue cons
k quenccg Of the crime which ouE fathers COZ
!. mitted, and which cupidity and injustice Ct
r. continues.
D. A Republican triumph in tho approachl'
4. contest is not only a necessity to the se
ox respect aad honor Of the North bnt to I
~ safety Of the South and the prosperity Of
~ government, now threatened by gre
=, calamity which the blindcst may see. lie
IN madman or an idiot, IN enemy OF his IL
ct and his kind, who will not sczo the prese
is. opportunity to turn the tide Of Slavery ba'
ro ana develcp that policy which, with safety
"a. both RACES and with profit to all, will tend
r. nd the country Of that horror By which il
Of oppressed