Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-01-29
LETTER FRoM NEw YoRIk.
Special correspondent Of the Journal and Statesman
New YORK, Jan, %, 1861.
OpAp EcKpt-

Special correspondent OF the journal and Statesman
New York, Jan, %, 1861.
DEAR EcKEL:
Most of my news is anticipated
by that modern invention, the Telegraph |
hope, however, that you will not consider me
opposed to improvements. Yet it is very natu-
raj for man to cry "great is Diana of the
Ephesians" when his craft is in danger.
1t has occurred to me that could not render
your readers a more acceptable service than by
laying before them as clearly as possible the
prevailing sentiment in the metropolis in refer
ence to the future of African elayery, This
seems at present the problem to which all minds
are turned
Though it is admitted that the slave States
will pecede and attempt to establish separate
power, the business men hero are few, WHO he
lieye that it will endure for auy considerable
length of time. In the event Of the fifteen
States forming themselves into an independent
sovereignty, what effect will it have upon the
institution OF slavery2 Will it BIZ its pe petun-
ton or destruct Shrewd farseeipg bus.-
ness men say the latter, and for the following
reasons Judging Of the future by the expert.
ence of the past, We say that slavery is duomud
Seventy years ago. in all except one Of the thir-
teen Staes, it existed, but has now disappeared
entirely from eight, and as il has only a nominal
existence in Delaware, We may with truth say
lIolu Ilue NUT mas II luCfehheu III Maryland,
Virginia and North Carolina, in proportion to
the growth Of the white population. Thus Of
the original thirteen States only five retain it at
all,
What is 10 prevent its disappearance in IN
equal ratio in the new confederacy. 1t is easy
TO demonstrate that the same inevitable laws
hold true in reference TO it South as we'll as
North Of Mason and Dixon's line If so, then
we may expect in less than seventy years to see
slavery entirely abolished. This would have
happened without secession, which will only
accelerate the event, Mr. Clemens, Of Virginia
last Tuesday said, before God md in nv in.
most conscience, l believe that slavery will be
crucihed, should this unhappy controversy end
in the dismemberment of the Union" This is
the conviction Of many thinking men both
North and South.
1t is a fact patent to every one, that free emf
grafton gravitates 10 the Northwest, but never
to the Southwest. II matters not whence the
enigrant comes Virginia, Caroinas and
Georgia, have poured from their alayeholdng
communities thousands Of strong men to settle
the Free States Of Ohio Indiana, Illinois. There
is no truth in the assertion that these Southern
immigrants were outnumberei by Northeastern
and European people, for they were not OF
least when these States were admitted % the
Union. The ouly apparent exception to this
case, is California. 1t must, however, be re-
membered that the golden State lies beyond the
Rocky Mountains and on the shores of the
Pucfc, and seems to follow another law of
population.
1t is equally true that slave emigration pravi-
tates to the Southwest and never TO the North
west. New England aud tho Middle STATS have
sent forth their representatives to the Savannahs
of Georgia aud the Rice fields, Sugar and Cotton
lands Of Louisiana and Alabama. These men
] ,;nI viii ouiaLlu
peculiar institution. But while one emerant
has gone Southwest, one thousand have gone
Northwest. Hence the vast preponderanco Of
population in the Free States.
Now what shall prevent the same law Of
immigration continuing in force in the new con.
federacy? That is, free population pouring
into their Northwest, slave population to the
Southwest The face Of nature will remain
unchanged, and it is proposed " to make the
Constitution of the late United States, their own
Constitution, with some slight notifications. -
II this emigration be not changed and manufac-
lures, white or at least free labor continue to
increase in the Northern part Of the new con.
fedeTaoy, as they have done in the Union, the
result must be the gradual abolition of slavery
in the Northern tier Of States for history shows
concusiyey, that wherever manufactures are
fostered and are increased, slavery disappears.
and reiircs to the South. In other words, ii
slavery in seventy years disappeared from eight
out Of thirteen States, it will also in an equal
length Of time disappear from eleven out oil
fifteen of the new confederated States.
{ This would concentrate the peculiar institu-
ton around the Gulf of Mexico, where il would
DO hemmed in on all sides On the North by a
belt OF hostile free States, and on the South by
the waters Of the Gull. Ii would be bound hand
and foot with 10 power to expand. The slave
trade will undoubtedly be opened. bringing
thousands on thousands Of pure natives into
these narrow limits. There will eventually be q
densely settled slave population around the
slaves of the Gulf, whose interests will be even
more antagonistic 10 the Northern States of the
new confsderacy than it is now claimed, the
interests Of South Carolina are to those of Mas
sashusettf. The opening Of the slave trade will
of itself foster the emigration of free labor,
which by elective affinity will continue to 60
Northwest SO then there will be crowded iuto
that narrow strip Of slave territory, SO many