The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-04-26
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The Genius Of Iho Rebellion,

How Mr.. STEWART, OF Baltimore coun-
ty, delivered an address before the Ball
timore Union League, recently, which
was published in the Baltimore american.
The following extract is worthy of con-
sideration
The genius of the Rebellion is SlaveryI
No day star of freedom rises over the
palmetto clad shores of South Carolina
as the first traitors gun fires at the flag
of the free afloat on Sumter. No heart
is lightened with hopes of better des-
tiny for man. II is the sullen announce
ment Cf the laying of coyner-sto1le for
! the new Government based on slavery.
The leaders of the rebellion so declare
| il. Slavery is no longer the incident, 10 IS
| the oljet of the Government. II has as
sumed dominion, declares Itself the
source of all power and prefermeHt. 1t
has aimed deadly blow at the heart of
freedom. Shall freedom quail before it.
AT the time of the formation of our
Government African slavery existed in
several Of the States. The prevailing
sentiment was against it. 1t was re-
garded as a social and political evil; but
as any attempt TO interfere with il in
volye d recognized rights of property, its
eradication was left TO time, the compe-
tiOn of white labor, and the liberal senti-
ment of the people. Whatever the United
States could do, without interfering with
the rights of the States, was done. The
ordinance of 1857 excluded slavery from
al the territory then belonging to the
United States: the Constitution provided
for the abolition of the slave trade; the
act of 1895 encouraged immigration from
Europe by speedy naturalization--itw was
further stimulated by the low price of
public lands.
These were all parts Of system adopt
ed by our forefathersfor creating mighty
nation. Their object was to get white
freemea instead of black slaves, to get
the highest instead of the lowest type of
manhood; men who could become citi-
zens, bear arms, and help to bear the
burthens Of the State. These views were
practical, have been partially successful,
in fact, have far outrun their expects ations
in that section of the country devoted TO
freedom, and but for the acquisition of
the Louisiana territory, the fostering in
fuence of a protective tariff on sugar,
and the invention of the cotton gin, would
have accomplished their hopes in the
Southern section of the country.
The abolition of the slave trade had one
unforeseen effect. II created a monopoly Of
Lajor IN the Soath-that monopoly in ITS
turn, established class--the class became a
political po,oer, the political po,oey determined
on independent existence 10 escape uie influence
Of democracy. .-Ae1ce the yeJellioal
In colonial days two purposes were
subserved to the British Government by
the continuance of the slave traiic. One
was the fostering of British commerce
largely engaged therein, thus sustaining
her arrogant pretensions to rule the waves,
the other was to keep US in a state of CO.
lonal dependence, by filling the country
with a people incapable of self.govern-
ment. The Colonies protested-ihey
passed prohibitive laws, but these were
'vetoed by royalty. The colonists fore
saw that if the trade continued natural
laws would eventually give the dominion
of the country TO the blacks. To stop
the trade and encourage white immigra-
tion was part of the policy of separation.
When the United States Government
was formed the spirit Of democracy had
so far permeated the whole body of So
ciety that it expressed itself in the or
ganlzation of Democratic Republic.
All titles Of nobility, all hereditary
privileges, all mOnopolies, everything
likely TO beget aristocratic pretension
and arrogance, were carefully guarded
} against The abolition Of the right OF
, primogeniture and the docking Of estates
. tail secured such a subdivision of real
, estate as destroyed all basis for a landed
! aristocracy. Throughout the country
there was plenty of land, as there still is
! The possession Of land even yet confers
. no special distinction.
We all know possessors of large tracts
in various States, but let them own ever
, so much they have ne monopoly. The
supply is unlimited; the demand can
not outrun il, and when the owners die
the land is sold or divided amongst theiI
heirs. In some respects the possession
Of slaves has done for the owners whai
in other countries is accomplished by 4
monopoly of the land. In the old aris
tocrao,es Of Europe, possession OF thS
land enables the monopolisis 10 control
the labor. In a country like the South
where land is plentiful aud labor scarce
the owners Of the labor monopoize the
benefits Of the country. The abolition
Of the slave trade limited the supply o.
labor. IL was hoped and supposed tina
immigration would flow in aud meet th'
4 increasing demand. 1t came, but wen
10 the Free States. Slavery acted as al
embargo against immigration. Free
white men did no like 10 work witt
black slaves-slave owners did not like
> them 60 do So AS a consequence, thl
foreign supply of slaves being Gu
of, the descendants Of slaves, who
., some years ago, were bought 10
two hundred dollars, were valued n
- the breaking out Of the rebellion at tel
times that sum. The poor white ma
finds himself In q country where the av
enues to competence are few, and assist
ance out Of his reach. lie does not ear
\ ia lifetime As much as will purohas
a the first negro. If they would only y re
open the slave trade (and there are man!
3 who advocate Il, } he might buy cheaplJ
.l and get some help for his worn out viii
y in the kitchen aud himself in the field
" but that would reduce the price Of h
kra.L dorur AZ. go