Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-01-13
Helpers Book.

Of Representatives against the republican
candidate for Speaker, Mr.. Sherman, is
that he and others Of the party have rec
commended book published two years
since by Mr., Helper, called the " Impend-
ing Crisis
This debate in Congress has given a
no,oriety 10 the book which has doubtless
much increased the sale of it, and has
excited a curiosity with many who have
not been able as yet TO obtain copy, TO
know more about this book which has oc-
casioned such intense excitement, retard-
Cd the organization of congress-, and may
be productive of still more important
consequences.
Happening very opportunely a few
days since to find copy Of this work
which is such topic of defamation in
congress, and having examined it with
some care on account Of its present noto-
r'ty, and believing that review Of it
may be acceptable to many Of our read
ers who have not been so fortunate as to
procure a copy, we offer short synopsis
OF the book.
The author informs US that he is a ma
tive Of North Carolina, the son of slave
holder, and his ancestors have resided in
that state ever since its first settlement.
Mr. Helper appears to possess many Of
the peculiarities Of the south, and has a
large share OF that impetuosity and fiery
zeal which is commonly attributed to the
southern character. The book is ad-
dressed TO the non-slaveholding whites Of
the south, and its object is to exhibit the
evils Of slavery as affecting their interests,
and TO excite them, "the poor white
trash" to political action TO abolish slave
Dir. Helper does not attempt by any ar
gument to show the moral wrong Of slave
ry, or insist on the danger of an insur-
rection Of the slaves, but to show the
blghting effects Of slavery upon the
wealth, prosperity and progress of the
south, and particularly its disastrous eff
fleets upon the poor, or nou-slaveholding
whites Of the south. A large portion of
the book is devoted to statistical tables
and historical facts to show the evils Of
the system. 1t very forcibly compares
the stagnalon and decline Of the south
with the growth and prosperity of the
north, or nop-slayeholding states Of the
Union. The book contains but little that
Is new TO those who have attended to the
discussion on slavery which has ragged for
some years past, but it contains many
facts and exhibits in condensed and
torcible manner the effects Of slavery in
retarding the progress and running the
prosperity Vt the south. The style OF
our author Is more exceptionable.-
Though nervous, energetic, and some.
times eloquent, yet it has a touch of bit.
terness and spirit Of denunciation which
is hardly consistent with either good taste
or Christian charity. Thus, in speaking
OF the shareholders, they are called slave.
ocratic land sharks, "'and the cities ant
towns OF the south are styled " despicabl,
niggervlles."
The effects Of the accursed system OF
the south, in the stationary or retrograd,
state Of that region, in the neglect Of ed
ucation, the. low state of agriculture, anC
the almost total want Of commercial an,
manufacturing enterprise are very clearl,
shown by our author, aud it would seen
were fully proved 10y the statistics an,
facts which he presents.
The area Of the sixteen free states
(the number at the time this book wa
published.) was 6l2,597 square miles
that of the fifteen slaveholling states
8jl, ij8 square miles. The south in eli
mate, soil, and natural advantages. Mr.
Helper contends is far superior to IA,
north. Yet the population of the ire,
states as shown by the census OF 1850 j.
l3,43l ,922, and 81 81 to the square mile
Of the slave states 9,6l2,979, and | / 2!
10 the square mile. The real and per
sonal property of the north is valued a
S4,l02,l78,l05 while that of the soutl
is valued at S2.936,09O, 4S7 nor as Mr.
Helper shows does the south appear {,
any better advantage by comparing sep
arate states.
Virginia contains 6l,552 So. miles
New York contains $4,000
Population OF Virginia in 1890, 74s.308
OF New York 34OI2O
Of Virginia in so, 1927 Sol
ofNew York 1850, $685.. 1874
In 1890 the exports from Virginia
amounted to s3,ISO,86;
OF New York in same year 1906. 46;
In 1852 the exports from Virginia
we're S2,72465,