Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-17


lFor The Indiana State SENTINEL
The Cost OF observation-disclosures on q
Portion OF Robert Dale OWENS Let.
ter e secretary Chase, Publis n ed in
the srw Nerk PEST. So
To undertake. an Argument with so fine
scholar and 80 profound thinker Mr. Owen
may seem presumptious, nevertheless we hazard
the following reflections, which have been sug-
gested To our mind by perusal of his recent let
.er TO Secretary Chase
We will admit bis statistical statements, and
deductions from them in relation to the military
RESOURCES OF the two sections OF our country now
waging var with e.ch other.
The census OF 1860 shows the number OF
white males between the ages of eighteen and
forty five. in the loyal States, 10 be about 00G.
000 and in the disloyal States about 300 900,
little upwards of three to one" But, says Mr..
Oven, this calculation as basis OF military
strength j. wholly fallacious for il includes per-
sons of one color only" Now, il the number of
white males between these ages in the loyal
States - 1000, 900. and in the disloyal States
300 900, may we not assume that the same pro-
portion exists IN the number of persons below the
age OF eighteen and above the age of forty FIVE,
IN both sections? Ii So then We have fair ba-
S. to work apos, ss;d we deduce from Dir. Owens
statements and calculations that the Western
politicians solution of our difficulties 1.-The
recognition of slavery in all Stites"-is the
nearest approach we can make TO that desirable
end Mr. Owen admits the idea has basis of
truth. and might lead to peace. bat for the out
rage it would be to the progressive spirit of
Christian civilization independently Of that
charitable but specious consideration. We proceed
u the process of arriving at said politicians con
clusion. and will take Mr. Owens own state
'nents rs the basis He finds that 30 900 900 of
people North furnish 900 900 whence soldiers.
out door aborers and mechanics must chiefly be
TAKEN AMI that Zoo 900 South supply 800
900. that the North gives three to over
the South But the 10000 900 North are all
tree. and $500, 900 of the South are slaves.
Hence we get the following result: 20 900 900
of whites North supply 1 900 900, whilst 3 1000
000 South-less 3 500. 900 slaves-furnishl 3O0,-
600. being over three 10 one. But accoring to
Mr.. Ovens argument, those 500 900 slaves are
equal, directly and indirectly, for military re-
sources. to 700 900 whites; for he makes the
relative strength of the two sections .'of soldiers
TO fight, and laborers To support the nation while
fighting" three in the South to four in the
North. We therefore infer that the Western
politicians theory is most plausible, and that the
existence OF slavery in nation, for military
strength. is superior free population, in the
proportion that 3 500 900 slaves bears to the diff
ference between the resources OF 10000 900 of
whites North and say 5000 900 of whites South.
between the ages of eighteen and forty five,
which Mr.. Owen makes equal TO 700 600. In
other words. If $500 900 slaves were imported
into. or transferred To the North. rs the equlva
lent of 100000 whites available. directly and
indirectly. for military purposes, the strength of
those % 900 900 would be increased for the like
purposes from 1000 900 to 5,700,000 Hence
slavery in the loyal States in the same proportion
rs il exists in the South. would increase, in that
ratio. the military strength and resources of the
loyal States.
Mr Owen. under the supposition of n South
united. without regard to color, in an effort for
recognition. declares it impossible eff history
teach TRUTH for Us to obtain peace by subdung
her, Blu, he flew to what strikes Us as an ab-
surty-the negroes being loyal To the Union,
instead OF their masters. and arguing on that
changed basis finds Conieieracy divided against
itself. and the possibility OF the services OF those
laborers being transferred to us. Immediately
after. ne pronounces such Wholesale transter LOT
course impossible in practce. But in so far ~
the transfer l. possible approach the above re
suit" III the transfer j. impossible. to what ex
tent can be calculate We will find Confederacy
divided against itself? Iii impossible. there can
be Coniederacy divided against itself aud III
history teach truth We cannot obtain peace by
>,ibeluing the Soathi To appIv the ..luyaltv
% the Union which presuppOSe> knowledge
of duty to government To slaves. seems a per
version of their use. The only ''losalty' they
comprehend. If we can so apply the term, Is obe-
dience and submission TO their masters. local IL
tschment TO their estates, and close identification
with both Wewill now address ourselves to the
subject Of general emancipation taH
To accomr.ish general emancipation all the
now existing relations of property and labor in
the Southern States must be overturned. Slaves
have ever been recognized by our Constitutions
il not a. property at least pers whose life
long services are the rightful due at those claim
Inc to be their owners right acQuiesced in by
our people ever since the formation OF Gov
eminent. They cultivate the plantations, and
are employed as mechanics, field hands and gem
eral laborers Among them is the same distri-
button of labor as exists in the free States-the
proceeds of their labor going. however. q their
proprietors instead of themselves individuality
as in the free States One system distribution
beng organized on the acknowledgment of bond
age. the other ON the basis of freedom. Sud
denly destroy that distribution in either case and
who can estimate the consequences % the peace
and order of society According To Mr. Owen
and many other public men. there is found in the
rebellion every pretext and reason for that terrible
resort Does he address himself to the subject as
phiisnthropist. looking "a the amelioration OF
the CONDITION OF the slaves. or Il punishment TO
their masters, aud a. means to that end? Ii
appears strange TO Us that he can in his calm
Jaag ment, profoundly studying the stupendous
statemanship. who, in a war IKE this would le,xa
o1tof view the practical effects OF enancp,tio,,
seriously recommend his policy. and hone n
msnrsln tho>e great principles of Christi,nitx
and civilization the true architects anu GUARDIANS
OF order and system. which enloin upon Us. As
people. moral duties and obligations. ~ of higher
consideration than mere idea potical economv.
Philanthropy Is not violent Ii i gentle perSu,
sive. mereilul. IL l. commanding. vet restrain
ing. and appeals to reason. not 10 passion Let
u study It's teachings on this m0meutons ones
ton. Our moral duties TO the proprietor, are not
be lost sight Of IN visionary schemes To benefit
a seryile race
Admit general emancipation to be feasible-le,
plantations be conhseated and transferred To the
Government or new proprietors. and the enfran
ehised slaves be left ia their respective localities
would that improve their condition or hasten a
restoration of the Unionf We think not In
agricultural countries and districts the pro
duction of means of subsistence must be pro
portioned 10 the supply of those whom they
destined 20 support. In the Southern States
that proportion OF means would be destroyed by
the emancipation OF the slaves, for the simple
reason that II is we'll established fact. an AZ