The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-11-14
4. @. mRnuEns. Eal.er.
The influence of Liberty on the
Labor CT this state.

Ihe SUBSTITUTION OF freedom on laDor
is not new problem. The worlds his
tory is full of instances. Indeed, it may
safely be asserted that labor has advance
ed in its productive capacity in direct
proportion TO the progress Of freedom.
This proposition will not be cOntroyer-
ted. But the question is placed on other
grounds by the enemies of freedom 10
ia asserted that the negro is incapable Of
a seli-sustaining effort and cannot take
care of himself. This proposition is not
worthy Of consideration. A race Of
North American Indians, la IA unculii-
waited wilderness, can provide for them
selves. The negro lie by far their supe-
rior. But IL is said you cannot enslaye
the Indian--the negro you can. This
argument is conclusive of the negro =
superior social capacity. He can endure
q ffering and prosper. The other has a
nature incapable of social restraints 1t
is not the untameable animal that is
highest in its intellectual endowments.
The horse, the favorite servant and COM
pAnion of man, in his highest develop
meat, is vastly superior in every respect
to the untsmeable hyena. The capacity
10 endure slavery is conclusive proof OF
capacity for freedom.
The subject of freedom among the
negro race is not new in America Even
in the United States the question has
found its solution. In Maryland there
are about 10000 free negroes. These
have prospersd in all respects. They
have incrt ased in = very rapid ratio
The amount of crime among them is mol
greater than among other races. II i:
not so great as among slaves. They
have been found useful members of so.
oiety. The people of Maryland have
never been willing to expel them from
the State. The measure has been urged
by those who were in the interests oil
the high slave worshiping party of The
South.
We have still much higher and more
pertinent example, showing the practi.
clbility of immediate emancipation
Freedom can do no evil in itself. Indeed
the whole question resolves itself in 1
few words. 1t is the highest attribute o
Deity, and is the attribute of human.
ity, that elevates him nearest to God
1t is an unmixed good, and must wOrl
out the prosperity and happiness Of thos,
who enjoy IL.
The example of the British West In.
dia policy gives us most salutary lessons
on this subject. An intelligent writer
thus spaeks of the emancipation The
facts show that slavery was bearing
our colonies down to ruin with aW fu
speed; that had it lasted but another
half century, they must have sunk be-
yond recovery. On tho other hand
that now under freedom and fee
trade, they are growing day by day
more rich and prosperous, with spreading
trade, with improving agriculture, will
. more educated, industrious and virtu
Gus people while the comfort Of th
quondAm slaves is increased beyond tn
power of words to portray"
We will give some of the leading fact
on which the author Of the above found
his opinion.
The Jamaica Islands in the last sil
years of slavery exported an average o
3,0o77S2 cwt. of sugar to all countries
In the last four years of freedom an aver
age of 4,055 52H cwL to Great Britain
alone.
The Governor Of Montserrat says il
1853: "No Island in these seas exhibit
more decisive tendency to social AnC
moral regeneration and improvement
The rural population are quiet, content
ed and orderly, Their condition is on
Of great comfort"
Ii. kits, (RepOrt Of 1866 "a large
quantity of sugar is produced now thai
in the time of slavery, (though on
smaller areA,) attendance in school
steadily increasing; crime steadily di
minishing."
1t. Lucia, Report 1853 "The educa
ton returns are extremely satisfactory
General aspect of Agriculture promi
sing"
1t. Vincent, Report 1852 "rhe foun
dalton has been laid for a great and pro
gressive improvement. Agricultural op
urAtions largely extended"
In Tobago, TortolA, and Trinidad
show marked improvement in agricul
ture and education, as we'll as in the SO
ciAl condition of the people. Through
out, the lAborers are becoming land hold
ers and owners of homes.
One marked characteristics is the uni
yersal tendency TO education. So IA
from going back, these people set free il
1884 have steadily advanced "Neyei
was more radical revolution made il
the fortunes Of whole people thar
when 100000 British negroes steppeC
from slavery into freedom" They wer,
in . day transformed from beasts o
burden into men. The history Of thes,
people show that they have not atuIet
che privilege conferred on them.