New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-26
FROM GEORGIA.
THE SLAVE-TRADE.
From Our Special Correspondent
SAyANNlu March %

From Our Special Correspondent
SAVANNAH March 20, 1861.
The slave-trade has been prohibited in the
permanent Constitution of the Confederate
States" President Davis has taken special pains
to confirm this prohibition by yetong bill which
aimed to soOthe the feelings of the ultraists by
declaring their pet project misdemeanOr instead
of piracy. What do these things mean Do
they signify bona fde intention on the part of
the Cotton States to assist in the suppression Of
the African save-tradel / argue from these
events one of two things first, that the conser-
yative element of the South has joined iii the Sc
cesson movement for the purpose of controlling
IT,, and that this 10 step OF its inspiration, look
ing toward a reconstruction of the Union; or,
second. that the ultra element has favored this
nominal prohibition of the slaye-trade as n stroke
of policy, thereby 10 secure the only electual
means of practically reopeniDg the forbidden
traffic. 1t is plain that surer means could be
devised for its suppression than for the new
would.be nationality, yet devoid of recognition
in any quarter, TO announce it as part OF its
national programme. To disarm all opposition
in advance by yielding at least this much to
Slavery and Its concomitant institutions, is not
only absolutely necessary to the entrance of the
new nationality into recognized existence, but
also efectually serves the practical purpose of
reOpening the slave-trade for the South. That
such is It's intention aud such will be its result,
| propose to show. First, it is the logical de-
mand of the Slavery system. Second: This logi-
H., ,aI npI aAY
Gated as such by the leaders of opinion among
Pro-Sla,ery men. Third: 1t is a measure al
ready sustained by the popular voice, and must,
Therefore, be urged on to realization.
The first proposition needs 10 proof. Upon
the second, | shall pause only to select one Of
the most recent, out Of the countless contirma-
tons of its truth, which are familiar to all who
are posted up OH Southern literature and politics.
The superserviceable funkes Of the North will
endeavor to hide the past record Of the South
behind the present anti-slaye.trade professions OF
the Montgomery Convention. More ready, as
they have always proved themselves, TO lie for
the South than the South is to use any disguise
whatever, they will labor to persuade honest
people that the South never desired fhe slave
trade, and has never thought of it's revival. But
let US glance for a moment at the record which
the South made for herself no longer ago than
May 9, 1859. On that day the Nicksburg Con-
yention assembled. Among other proportions
lowing: "ResOlred, That, in the opinion of this
" Convention, all laws, State or Federal, prohib-
" iting the African slaye-trade, ought to be re-
"yealed" Passed by vote of A to 10, dis
tributed as follows: Yeas-Alabama, 9; Arkan-
sas. 4; South Carolina 4; Louisiana, q; Texas,
4; Georgia, 10; Mississippi, Z. Nays-South
Carolina, A; Tennessee, II; Florida, 3. This
negative vote, moreover, was cOnfUssedly prompted
not by opposition to the slave-trade, but by the
opinion that the Democratic Slnbad, already
overladen, would be utterly unable to stagger
under this additional incubus of Slavery prop.
agandism in the coming elections. The
was not wrong, but "premature."
And that is just the secret of the negative vote
now; the proposition is palatable but impolitic.
The Old World already sufficiently staggered at
being called upon to recognize proiessedy
Slavery propagandiziDg Republic, cannot be eT-
pected to " conquer its prejudices" to the extent
Of withdrawing all former objections to the slave
trade. But in the South, public sentiment is al
ready ripe for the scheme. 1t is emnenty
popular project No sooner was Secession an
established fact than such expressions az these
were current among the lower classes: "Now
will be q fine time for the slave-trade." "Now
we shall have cheap niggcrs." "a poor man
won't have to pay 1000 or 1900 dollars for
Niger now" SO evident indeed is this readiness
of the masses for the measure, that the opposi.
ton to it is found chiefly among the aristocratic
classes, and for the reason that it will have
tendency to elevate the lower classes to quasi
equality with themselves Tits is the objection
We have heard urged against it BY wealthy plan
tsn. This is the only objection which we have