Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-21

ImportantTestimOny ofan extensive Slave
holder in favor of Free negro Labor in
she sOntb.
Awriter to the Chicago Evening Journal
says;
1t may not be an inappropriate COM
mentary upon the conduct Of some Of the
copperhesd leaders of the North, who are
so solicitous about the salvation Of slavery,
and the necessity Of taking care Of the ne
gro, by furnishing him a good master as
his only protection, snd also upon the the
ory that he will not work, save upon com
pulsion, to give the views of one who was
lately one Of the weslthiest Shareholders in
this State, and o man of political promi-
nence. refer to Mr.. White, member Of
the Legislsture from this county during
the session Of 1861, and during that heat
ed time devoted friend Of the Union.
he was always pro-slsvery man, up to
the commencement Of the rebellion and
while in the Legislature, opposed secession
on two grounds; first, that it was in viola
tion Of solemn allegiance Of the citizen
70 the Government; and secondly, because
il would certainly destroy slavery, which
he desired to see perpetuated, as blessing
alike to white and black. His efforts, how
ever, were fruitless, and he left in disgust,
going to Arkansas, where he had q large
plantation and great number Of negroes.
His farm was near Pine Bluff, which the
reader knows, is not far from Little Rock
80 that he had an opportunity Of witnes-
| sing the workings of the rebellion upon
the cherished institution Of slavery. He
states that no sooner had the war broken
cut than he made up his mind that slave
~ had received mortal blow; and he
therefore commenced making preparations
for the change in the social and industrial
system, which he saw to be inevitable.
By making presents to his negroes, he
induced them to stay with him, till the
Federal army came, when he at once made
out certificates Of freedom for them, under
the Presidents emancipation proclamation,
and employed them, at good wages, as
hired laborers.
The negroes, he alleges, were delighted
with the prospect before them, snd com
menced work with q will. He says that
two hands now do more than three used
to do, under the old system and he is
ssnguine that with comparatively small
farm, he will be able to prodnce 200 bales
OF cotton, which will yield from SAC, 900
to $4,000 net profts-twice the worth Of
his negroes in 1860.
He is delighted with the prospect in Ar
kansas, and attributes to General Steele
the highest military and administrative
quslities. The government Of the State is
now on a firm foundation; and there is
more of genuine law and order than OF any
time before the war; for 1t is we'll known
that for years the criminal code Of Arkan-
sas has been frequently violated, and but
imperfectly executed.
Mr.. White is pleased at the prospect Of
speedily ridding the country Of slavery,
and is surprised that his eyes were not
sooner opened TO the advantages Of free
dom. He regards the present free Consti-
tuition as established beyond g contin-
gency, and says that nearly sll the deser-
ters who return from the rebel army hail
it with joy, as q complete guaranty that
heneeforth We are to have no more Sec
tional controversy-no more civil wars.
AT the present rate Of desertions, he is
Of opinion that at the next Presidential
election Arkansas will cast 10000 votes,
and Of these, 5000 will be given for the
nominee Of the Baltimore Convention.
He owns farm and sixteen negroes in
this vicinity. The latter have all been Sc
cured in their title Of freedom snd induced
to migrate to his new home, to work for
wages.
When testimony Of this character accu.
mulates continually, what must be the de-
gree Of impudence required Of 3 copper
head. to vat cling to slaHerY2 But there
are those who refuse to be tsught by ex-
perieDce.