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here we are naturallv hrd to '
consider a doctrine which has recent
ly been presented td the country un
der the most imposing circumstances.
About a year ago a distinguished Sen
uto r from the State of New York, in
nn iddress to the, people .of that State,
expressed his deliberate conviction that
there is an inherent; and irreconcila
ble antagonism betwjeen the -systems-of
free and slave labor. lie said:
''Hitherto the twq systems have cx-
istel'in different' States, but bide by
side' within the American Union. This
has happened because the Union is a
cwJ iteration of States. But, in an
other aspect, the United States con,
; stituto only one nation. 1 Increase of
- population, which is ! filling the States
out jto their very borders, together
with a new and extc.ndod net-work of
railroads andf'ither ja venues, and an
internal commerce jwhich daily be
comps more intimatei, is rapidly bring
ing the' States into -higher and more
perfect social unity jor consolidation.
Thus -these antagonistic systems are
continually, coming into closer contact,
and collision results.
"Shall I tell you' what this collision
mcais ? They Avho. think that it is ac
cidental, unnecessary, the work of in
terested or fanatici4 agitators, and;
therefore ephemeral,! mistake the case
altogether. Jt is an irrepressible con
ilict between opposing and enduring
forces, and it means that the United
States must and will, sooner or- later,
become cither entirely a slavcholding
nation or entirely a free-labor nation.
-Either the cotton atjid rice fields of
South Carolina, and the sugar planta
tions of Louisiana, wjll ultimately be
tillct byfre labor, j and Charleston
and !STew Orleans become marts for le
gitimate merchandise: alone, or else the
i rye fields and wheat fields of Massa
chsetits and New York must again be
surrendered 'by their 'farmers' to slave
culture and to the production 'of slaves,
and Boston and New York become
once moro markets for trade in the
bodies and souls of men. It is the
failure to apprehend this great truth
that induces so many unsuccessful at
tempts at final compromise botween
the slave and free States, and it is the
existence of this great fact that ren
ders ill such pretendjed compromises
whenlmade vain and ephemeral.
I know, and yon know, that a
revolution has begun. I know, and
all thjo world knows, that revolutions
neverj go backwards..'
Thp proposition is certainly a start
ling one, and it took the country by
surprised
. It involves an impeachment of the
wisdom of the fathcrsiof the Republic,
and a' condemnation qf the Constitu
tion off the- United States, as an abor
tive cll'ort to blend together in harmo
hious co-operation elements essentially
incongruous and antagonistical.
$4, Is this proposition true? Does it
embody the wisdom o: a statesman, in
the highest acceptation of the term, or
is it a plea for a partisan, addressed
to the jealous prejudices of a section V
If tjhe two systems of labor existed
together, in the samejlocalitics, com
peting and interfering! with each other,
maintaining a constant rivalry, and
provoking collisions, by constant ef
forts to supplant each other, there
might be some ground for apprehend
ing a conflict between; them. But do
the facts of the case justify any such
assumption ? On the contrary, does
not the whole past history of the coun
try negative the idea, an& show that
the tendency of,the two systems is to
separation, to the withdrawal of each
from tjie field appropriate for the oth
er, rather than to mutual aggression,
collision, and conflict 1 Where, then,
. is the evidence of antagonism between
them ? Upon what fats does this ora
tor, who is so swift to pronounce judg
ment of condemn ationjon Washington,
' and Hamilton, and Madison, and Jay,
rely tol maintain his mischievous dog
ma? fit be true, tlse alternative he
offers in submission or disunion ; aboli
tion. or revolution ! .'. Is the country
prepared for such an alternative ? Do
our. Northern brethren desire to press
it upon us? The" events of the next
year may show. Their decision will
derive new and fearful significance
. from events that have recently occurr
ed within our border. Should the sen
timents of the Senator from New York
he endorsed and adopted by the peo
ple of tjie North, it will be time for
Ihe people of the South to decide what
. course cneir interests ana ineir honor
and safety may require them to pur
sue. . ' i ' , . . .
j I, for one, cannot believe that such
. an endorsement will le given. The
solemn admonitions of Washington
have uot yet been forgotten by his
countrvmien. His nrcftdietic wisdom
foresaw khe tharactcr f the appeals
jwhich "sif;ning' menT would make
i, to local nreiudices. and. in his Fare
: .avc11 Adtiress, he warned the people
against tliein in these impressive words':
-4 In contemplating the cause which
may discurb,our Union! it seems as a
j matter .of1 'serious concern that any
- ground spould have been furnished for
characterizing parties '1 y geographi
cal 'discriminations, IVortwm and
Southern Atlantic' ami Western,
whence designing men may endeavor
to incite ja belief that there is a real
(!iffercticf .of local interests and views.
One of the expedients of partV-to ac
, quire influence with particular districts
is to misrepresent the opinions and
ainis of Ojther districts. You cannot
shield yourselves too mach against the
jealousies and heart-burnings which
Spring from these misrepresentations.
They tend to renderalin to each oth
er those 'who ought to jbc bound to
gether by fraternal affection."
I ljct the people of the United States
look on this picture 4nd on that!
Hero are the counsels of Washington
there the Senator frojm New York.
Let the people choose between them !
; WasHTiigton teaches (that while it
may be ;tlie 'province of "designing
men to
bment local jealousies, to ar-
ray section against section, to divide
that they may rule as heads of the
dominant faction, it is the higher and
nobler and holier mission of the patri
ot statesman to reconcile, differences
of opinion, to bring order out of chaos,
to blend opposing ' forces into harmo
nious action for the public good. :
The idea that the tide of slavery,
which for three-quarters of a century
has-been constantly receding from the
North, is about to revergo its flow, is
as absurd as to suppose that tji5 'waves
of the Atlantic will again sweep over
the crests of the Alleghanies. The
people of the North cannot be impos
ed on by a'ny such shallow sophistry.
But, looking at the question in an
other aspect, lias the South any thing
to fear from Northern aggression.? I
answer unhesitatingly, nothing what
ever. This answer is dictated not on
ly by a reference to the provisions of
tbc Federal Constitution, which forbid
all such aggressions, but by other and
still more cogent considerations. I
know that constitutional restrictions,
and parchment guaranties, and the
rights intended to be guarded by them,
may be trampled under foot, and there
fore do not' always present a safe bul
wark of defence.
But there is another,
in defer
ence to the nomenclature of the author
of the doctrine on which I am com
menting, I will call it "a higher law,"
which men never violate wilfully, and
which will ever remain sure and stead
fastI mean the late qf avlf -interest.
If all higher considerations should fail
if the men of the North should be
deaf to the appeals of justice if they
should prove regardless of all their
constitutional and legal obligations,;
and feel disposed to violate the rights
of 'the Southern States, they would be
restrained from doing so by the knowl
edge of the fact that the' blow which
prostrated the interests of the South
Would inflict an immedicable wound on
the prosperity of the North.
Where, then, I repeat, is the evi
dence of antagonism between the in
terests or the labor of the North and
of the South ?" Those who are dispos
ed to indulge in narrow and contract
ed views of subjects may fancy they
see evidence of an "irrepressible con
flict" between heat and cold, light and
darkness, summer and Avinter, the cen
tripetal and centrifugal forces, and a
thousand other objects in the material
Avorlil Avhich seem to be irreconcilable,
yet under the rule of a aviso and benefi
cent! I roviucncc iioav beautifully all
these apparently opposing elements
wor together in harmony to accom
plish the Avonderful designs of Him
Avhose hand directs the machinery of
the universe !
When the scales are removed from
the eyes of such as I have mentioned,
they discern that the only discord was
in their OAvn Avicked hearts, and that
the seeming antagonism in the elements
of nature Avas but harmony not under
stood !
So it often happens, in regard to
political affairs, that men Avhoso minds
are misled by local interests, or dis
torted by party prejudices, can see
nothing in the progress. of events but
evidences of clashing interests and "ir-
rcpressible conflicts," while to thoseiin to which the history of our country
Avno survey the same objects irom a
loftier stand-point every, element as
seen to be performing its appropriate
functions for the development of some
wise and beneficent result.
IIoav strangely must that mind be
constituted which can perceive a ten
dency to antagonism in tAvo systems
which move in different orbits, and
have entirely different functions to per
form ; systems Avidely separatod geo
graphically, and Avhose influence is
felt only in the benefits Avhich they
reciprocally confer on each other !
- Southern labor is devoted to the
production of articles unsuited to the
climate and labor of the free States.
Its' great staples are cotton, sugar, to
bacco, and rice. , Of these but one, to
bacco, and that to a small extent only,
can be produced north of the Dela
Avare. On the other hand, the labor of the
free States is directed to the cultivation
of grain and the feeding of live-stock,
and to manufactures and commerce,
and other pursuits which are better
adapted to the habits of their people'
and the qualities and peculiarities of
their soil and climate. r'
How, then, can the labor of one sec
tion come into competition Avith that
of the other ? Do not the productions
of the North find their best markets
in the South ? Are not- the slaves of
the planting States the largest consu
mers of the coarse Avoollens, and cot
tons, and shoes, and hats made by the
labor of the North ? Do not the plan
ters also buy a large portion of the
finct goods, and furniture, and hard
ware, and machinery, and carriages,
and saddlery, and agricultural imple
ments manufactured at the North ?
And does not the South supply the
"North with its cotton, and sugar, and
rice, and tobacco, and other commodi
ties in their crude condition, ready to
be converted by the labor and skill of
the North into the most valuable.sub
jects of commerce ? Hoaat, then,: can
there be antagonism between tAvo sec
tions of country, and tAvo systems of
labor, whose productions and whose
avocations are so Avildly different ?-
Antagonism implies opposition, ri'al-
rv, competition, the interference of
one, Avith the other. But here there is
nothing of the kind. Neither produ
ces Avhat the other ean profitably pro
duce ; on the contrary, each produces
precisely what the other cannot pro
duce, but what the other needs. Each
offers to the other a good market for
what it has to sell. An exchange.
I mutually beneficial, takes place be-
I tween them. Both are enriched by
j it. The product of slave labor helps
j to pay the wages of the free labor of
J the North, and the product of free la
jbor helps to pay to the owner of slaves
the expense which he incurs and the
' profit which he makes by his pera-
tions on his plantation. Each section,
and each system, consequently, con
tributes to the prosperity and wealth
of the other. They are mutual bene
factors instead of antagonists. The
relations between the two systems
have become so intimate and so inter
woven with each other that they can
no longer be regarded as separate, in
dependent systems, but are in fact har
monious elements ,of one great system
of American labor. The truth of this
proposition will be manifest if Ave will
turn our thoughts for a moment to the
consequences which would ensue from
a disturbance of the relations which
noAv happily subsist between these ele
ments.
If slavery were, by common consent,
abolished throughout the United
States, we cannot doubt that the con
sequences would be similar to those
Avhich followed emancipation in the
British Wr est India Islands. Wherev
er the negro is found his nature is
the same. Their indisposition to la
bor has become proAverbial. It exhib
its itself not only in their native coun
try and in the sultry climate qf the
South, but also amidst the bustle and
activity of the Northern and Western
cities in Avhich they congregate. They
labor only under the pressure of ne
cessity, and only to the extent Avhich
that necessity imperatively requires.
As soon, therefore, as the discipline
and compulsory authority of the mas
ter Avas AvithdraAvn they would sink
into habits of idleness, Avhich would
leave the plantations of the Southern
States, like those of Jamaica, desolate
and uncultivated. They Avould seek
a precarious subtistance by irregular
effort and by depredations on the pro
perty of those around them. The pro
duction of the great staples of the
South would rapidly diminish, and ul
timately they Avould cease to be arti
cles of export. White labor could not
be substituted, because experience has
shoAvn that the Avhite race cannot en
dure the exposure to the sun and at
mosphere which is necessary for the
production of cotton, tobacco, sugar
and rice. The abolition of slavery
Avould, therefore, be equivalent to the
banishment of these articles from the
manufactures and commerce of the
country. 'And'Avhat mind can con
ceive or Avhat pen portray the conse
quences to the business, and comfort,
and happiness of the ciA'ilized Avorld !
It Avould involve the destruction of
countless millions of dollars of capital
in the South vested in lands, and in
slaves and stock and machinery neces
sary to cultivate them ; and in the
'North in tlu3 factories erected to Avork
up the products of Southern labor and
to produce all the fabrics necessary
to supply its Avants. It would involve
the prostration of domestic trade,
manufactures, and the mechanic arts 'r
.the stagflation of foreign commerce :
the derangement of the balance of
trade and rates of exchange ; disas
trous convulsions in the monetary sys
tem ; the serious injury of our ship
ping interests ; a decline in our na
tional resources ; the paralysis of in
dustry in all its departments; a gen
eral depression 'in the value of proper
ty, and a scene of bankruptcy and ru-
Tin rvuvi
Such Avould be some of the more
prominent and direct results of that
system of emancipation which deluded
enthusiasts and selfish .agitators would
seek to accomplish.
But the picture is by no means com
plete. It is. plain that - the evils I
have enumerated would fall with more
crushing force on the interests and
people of the North than those of the
South. Bat there are others peculiar
ly affecting the free States Avhich should
not be passed over in silence.
Eeport of the Secretary of the Navy.
Hon. Isaac Toucey, Secretary of the Navy,
makes an interesting report, but many of the
facts, touching the movementdf our ships of
war, during the year, have been anticipated.
The ''suppres:oii of the African slave trade"
is anineresting' portion of the document.
The steamer. being of light draught, those on
the African slave coast will enter harbors and
rivers where the slave traffic origin:ite3, while
those on the coast of Cuba will frequent its
harbors, cruise in the track of the slave tra
ders on both sides -of the island, and will be
very sure to intercept such as may escape the
vigilance of the Ibrrner. Fight steamers have
been detailed to suppress this trade, four to
cruise on the coast of Guinea, and an equal
'number on the coast of Cuba, two on each
side of the island.
The l onstuia presence of a squadron of
steam vessels on the coast of Africa, and a
similar provision on the coast of Cuba, will
render the slave traffic so dangerous for A
meriean vessels that few will be willing to em
bark in it. What the effect of breaking up
the trade will be upon the United States or
Cuba it is not necessary to inquire; certainly
under the laws of Congress and our treaty
obligations, it is the duty of the executive
government to see that our citizens shall not
be engaged in it and that our flag shall not
be used for its purposes.
The increase of the Navy is very favorably
spoken of, and eaeli new or repaired steamer
or other vessel ol 'war. is mentioned in detail.
The Secretary says:
"Although our naval force has been thus
increased by the addition of twenty steam ves
sels, yet I beg most respectfully to renew the
recommendation, which Iliad the honor to
make a yeUr ago of a still further increase of
the navy. 1 he cost of these twenty steam
vessels has been less than live millions of dol
lars, while the mm retained in the treasury
by the policy adopted at the last session of
Congress of suspending improvements in the
navy yards and restricting the appropriation
for equipment and repair, has amounted, dur
ing the present fiscal year, to more than three
millions of dollars; and if Congress shall con
tinue the policy of suspendi ng these improve
ments during the next fiscal year, according
to the Wtimates now submitted, there will be
retained in the treasury a million and a half
or two millions more.
"Thus it maybe said that the treasury will
be nearly or quite indemnified for the cost of
this increase of twenty steam - vessels in the
navy, by a corresponding retrenchment of
naval expenditure, .But, independently of any
consideration of this kind, the protection of
Our coast and eoasting trade on the Atlantic
and Pacific sides of the continent, of fiv4 mil
lions of commercial tonnage, six hundred
millions of foreign exports and imports', and
of A merican citizens and interests in all parts
of the world imperatively requires a more ef
ficient naval force." '
A corresponding increase of the marine'
corps is recommended. Naval schools are
-warmly urged, somewhat oh the principle ot
those t Plymouth, England, landj at Brest,
France, "-. .j -W
The Home, Pacific, Brazil, Mediteranean,
East India and African squadrons are all des
cribed in detail, and several suggestions for
their improvement are given, while the value
of their presence in the different parts of the
world assigned to them is warmly dwelt upon.
Among the miscellaneous matters we notice
that the department, on the 1st day of May
last, made a conditional contract with the
Chiriqui Improvement Company and- Am
brose W Thompson, subject to the ratifies
tion of Congress, for the purpose of securing
to the United States some very valuable pri
vileges in the province of Chiriqui. The rights
and privileges are named, and the report
adda : - -
"For all these rights and privileges it is
stipulated that the United States will pay to
the said Ambrose V .--Thompson, for himself
and the Chiriqui Improvement Company, the
sum. of three hundred thousand dollars, pro
vided Congress at its next session shall ap.
prove the contract and make the necessary
appropriation therefor, otherwise the contract
to be void."
Appropriations are asked for the improve
ment of wavy-yards and other institutions
connected with the navy.
For the support of the navy and marine
corp3, and all other objects under the control
of the Navy Department, for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1858, the estimates were $13,
803,212 77 ; appropriation?, $14,240,247 25 ;
expenditures, $1 3,870,584 76.
' For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1859,
the estimates were 14,616,298 23; appropria
tions $14,508,354 23'; expenditures $14,659,
267 76.
For the fiscal year ending June 30. 1860,
th eetirantes were 13,500,370 80; appropri
ations 10,404,7p9 55.;
The estimates for the fiscal rear ending
June 30, 1861, are $11,244,845 63: that is to
say, for the navy proper $9,977,115 58 ; for
the marine corps 699,736 05, and for all
other objects $567,994.
Report of Secretary of War.
The Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary of
War, reports that while the authorized
strength of the army is 18,105, the number
in July last was only 17.49S: and 1100 of
that number were alone available for service
in the field. Small as it is, the force lias been
required to man about I'M) permanent garri
sons, posts and camps, scattered over an area
of three millions of square miles, and conse
quently it has been imjtossible to give ample
security to citizens on our frontiers. In rela
tion to the Indian depredations on our South
ern and Mexican bonier, the Secretary hopes
to make such alteration in the disposition of
the troops next season as will prevent any re
petition. Measures have already been taken to sub
due the Comanches an'd Kiowas, and give
protection to the routes from Missouri and
Arkansas to New Mexico. He recommends
that provision be - made for retiring disabled
and infirm officers. .The necessitv for enlist
ing teamsters is urged, as is the enlistment of
frontier citizens for frontier service, for six
months terms, the men to provide theiitpwn
horses: He speaks favorably of the condition
of the military academies, Of the experiment
in breech-loading guns, and of the use Of
camels for service in the interior. The whole
cost of the' army is put down at 13,08.725
7-, which he thinks may be considerably" re
duced. The condition of affairs in Utah is
such that there is scarcely any necessity for
troops there, and they will probably soon be
withdrawn. The report concludes with a brief
account of John Brown s attack on Harpers
Ferry.
The Secretary invites the. special attention
of Congress to.the importance of arming and
equipping the whole bod v of the militia of
the United States, which was passed in 1808.
Fiftv-one years ago the sum of two hundred
thousand dollars was fixed upon as a regular
annual appropriation for the purposes referr
ed to. At subsequent periods the older btates
found that by accumulation they had more
arms than were necessary, and it was resolv
ed to furnish to the Stated and Territories a
proportionate increase over regular quotas.
With the growth ofithe country, however, in
halt a century, the amount is entirely too
limited, as is shown by frequent repositions
and urgent appeals to the departm'ent-by liew
settlers, who not only need arms but camp
equipage and other facilities adapted to forest
life and hardships.
A Union Movement.
A meeting of the Senators and Itepresen
tatives in Congress who favor the perpetua
tion of the Union was held in Washington,
on the 19th ult., for the purpose of forming a
great Union partv. ; The following gentlemen
were appointed a National Union Executive
Committee: '.
Hon. J. J. Crittenden, of "Kentucky.
Hon. J. M. Harris, of Maryland.
Hon. ('has. M. Conrad, of Louisiana.
Hon. Jeremiah Clemens, of Tennessee.
Hon. Emerson Ether'nlge, of Tennessee.
Hon. Joshua Hill, of Georgi. i.
Hon. John A. Gilmer, of North Carolina.
Hon. Geo. Briggs. of New York.
Hon. Sohn A. Koekwell, of Connecticut.
Hon. E. K. Jewett, of New York,
inis i ommuiee nas issued tnc following
circular:
'Rooms of tlic Rational Union Execu
tive Central Committee,
375 Peiatf:)bo),'t,t AcfiKie. )
Washington-, Dec. 31st, 1S59. J
Sir: Members of the various political par
ties into which the American peopleare divid
ed, Senators and Representatives in Congress,
and others, from the various States of the
Union, met, in this city, on the 19th inst.
The meeting was organized by the apNint
ment of the lion. John J. Crittenden, of Ken
tucky, as Chairman.
A resolution was adopted providing for the
appointment of a Committee, to consider and
report a plan of general organization, bv
which the entire conservative union vote of
the country may be concentrated for the
Presidential contest of l.XGO.
The resolution (offered by Mr. Harris, of
Maryland,) was as follows:
1 hat a Committee of ten be annointed bv
the Chair, which shall be empowered to con
fer with the Executive Committees of the A
merican and Whig parties, and such other
persons as are favorable to the formation Of
a national partv, on the basis of "the Union
the Constitution and the enforcement of the
laws;" and to report some plan for the form
ation ofsuch a movement to a subsequent
meeting to be called by the Chair ; and that
the Chairman of.this "meeting shall be the
Chairman of said Committee.
The Committee was constituted, iii accord
ance with this resolution, of which you al
ready have information, and before adjourn
ment, the powers of the meeting were, by
resolution, vested therein, and it was consti
tuted a National Executive Central Commit
tee, with authority to increase its numbers
and to fill vacancies.
At a meeting of this Committee, held on
the 23d instant, a resolution was adopted, to
this effect : That the Chairman be empower
ed and requested, in conjunction with the
Chairmen ot the National Whig and Ameri
ci-m Committees, to call a National Union
Convention, for the nomination of candidates
for the Presidency and Vice Presidency of the
United States, and if deemed expedient, to
issue ! an address to the American people,
suggesting the mode of electing delegates to
said Convention, and setting forth the reasons
which render the Union party movement in
dispensable to the perpetuity of this govern
ment. A delegation from the National American
Committee were present at this meeting, and
fully concurred and agreed to co-operate in
the plan of action proposed. A communiea
tion was,' at the same time, received from' the
National Whig Committee, cordially second
ing the programme for the new party, and
approving of the proceedings had and propos
ed in respect to it.
On the 30th instant, the Committee again
met, when measures were discussed and a-
Union Party general and effective, by co-operating
State organizations, and the formation
of Union Clubs in wards of cities, and in towns
and election districts throughout the country.
A resolution was adopted, providing for the
enlargement of the Committee, by members
from each State not to exceed in number that
of the Senators and Representatives there
the Conorpss of the United States':
nnd the desire of the Committee, as well with
a view thereto, as with reference to other and
general purposes, for a free correspondence
with them trom all parts oi tiae country, was
expressed.
The proceedings thus detailed disclosetheir
object. The movement they indicate has
been commenced in no spirit of presumption.
The exigencies of the country seemed to re
quire the formation of a new party, founded
upon national ana conservative principles.
There is reason to believe that snch is the
conviction of a great and patriotic portion of
our fellow-citizens, including very many
mpmhpN nf the Trpjfnf. doi-ninnnt. and con
tending parties, who have been made sensible
of the dangerous and disturbing consequences
, . t. & ii. .1 :A - c
liKeiy to result irom me lurimer pursuu ui
their party controversies, and whom it is in
,the highest degree desirable to draw together
into fraternal union and efficient political co
Operation. In answer, therefore, to an ap
parent demand, the movemeut for an 'Union
Pnrfv" has bppn innnonirated. It is submit
ted to your judgment, and that of our patriot
ic fellow citizens, tor approval, and tnat co
operation may be secured to carry it forward
to success.
The formation of Union State Organiza
tions, and of Union Clubs in wards of eities,-
and in towns and election districts throughout
the country, is urged as of immediate and
prime importance: and a general and free
correspondence with the National Union Ex
ecutive Central Committee is earnestly invit
ed.
By order of the Committee,
F. WM. WALKER, Secretary.
Dissolution of the Union.
Firmly and as indissolublv fixed as
the love of American people has been"
in the Union of these fctates, it is evi
dent that recent events have greatly
disturbed and lessened that affection
in the Southern portion of tne United
States. Our ears have become famil
iar Avith the hitherto unAvelcome Avord
"diunion," and but little more of the.
aggressionary spirit of the North is j
needed, to clip, in sunder those bonds
forever, Avhich Avere Avelded bv the toils
and sacrifices and blood of our fathers.
The thought is crushing, but the tem
per of the free people of the South,
will -not longer bear the dictation and
impertinent interference of the North.
But it is a question of immense
weight, demanding the most thought
ful and calm deliberation. The ca
tastrophe AArhen it comes, must bring
with it consequences the most direful
and damaging. Whether the North
can do Avithout the South or the South
without the North, is a question of
small import, compared Avith others.
Necessary as they have seemed to each
other, either can live Avithout the oth
er, but they will live crippled and
crippling each other, both denuded for
a Avhile at least, of the proAvess, great
ness and glofy, enjoyed by the Union.
The South, if left alone, will feel the
least, and Avould recover from it the
sooner. Wo have no great mechani
cal, manufacturing or commercial in
terests, to be prostrated by it no
hoarded Avealth in great, cities to be
affected by it no great .centres of
trade to be crushed. If let alone,
our mechanical, manufacturing or com
mercial interests our toAvns and our
unemployed Avealth, would be greatly
promoted by it. But then, could aac
hope to be let alone ?
Men must be dreaming, if they sup
pose such a shock could come, Avitout
engendering the most bitter and unre-'
lenting hatred, and a war the most
bloody, violent and continuous ever
recorded in history. - When old friends
become alienated, their hatred is the
greater as their long love Avas the
Avarmer. And then the immense ben
efits of this Union, Avhen once it is
broken, could neA'er be forgotten.
The recollection of the past would" em
bitter the present the more, and ren
der the adverse parties irreconcilable.
A determined non-intercourse would
doubtless be one of the first steps ta
ken by the South, and vice versa.
Death Avould be a penalty which every
Northern man Avould suffer in coming
South, and so of Southern men going
North. This Avould lead at onco to
open rupture, and the North conceiv
ing itself the stronger, Avould attempt
to coerce us into terms or subjugate
the South. In such a case, Avho could
look to the end ? The warmest imag
ination cannot conceive of a .scene of
horror and ruin, more, dreadful than
the reality, Avould be. We need not
however, attempt to fill up the picture.
Any thing which the imagination might
draw, would fall far short of the truth.
, Now is the country ready for this ?
We do not mean are the North or
South prepared for it. It is evident
they are not, and the South more es
pecially. Without a factory of poAv
der, of cannon, of muskets, or, indeed,
any of the munitions of Avar. With
out any assurance of aid from scarce
ly any portion of the Army or Navy.
With our militia system broken doAvn
and without military discipline, it
would look like fool-hardiness, for the
South to dream of encountering the
North, at such odds. And yet the
South has the pluek to meet it, come
if it must. She is prepared for any
thing but, dishonor.
But we mean, is the temper or are
the feelings of the people, ready for it?
We think - not. Notwithstanding the
tocsin has been sounded and the poli
ticians have threatened it, the masses
of the people have not jet begun to
"calculate the value of the Union."
The "bone and sinew" of the country
have scarcely turned their ears to the
din and conflict, kept up by the , poli
ticians. They have heard of these by
the outward ear, but they haye not
pondered them.
On this subject, we take it for grant
ed our public men, the representatives
of the people, will not act hastily. In
this matter of . all others, they must
snot anticipate tha popular voice, but
wan instruct ions. - xney musi De true
to the known sentiments of the South,
but they must, not go in advance of
the popular will. If the crisis does
eome, let it be forced upon us, by the
aggression of the North. Better err
on the side of ike Union, than ruth
lessly and hastily cut the cord, o;take
a step to force ip asunder. Therieart
of the great South yet desires tli: per
petuity of the Union. 4 $he. Avp not
break it until foirbearanc is d-nag-ing
to her honor!, and until sterrjduty
to herself demands it. i Wash?, gton
(y. C.) Dispatch. j . ,
$rM fetf
. : j '' t.
, : H 1 -H-U.
EUGENE B. DRAKE & S0$
EDITORS AND PROPRIETORS,
STATESVILLE,
FRIDAY, JAXUARY SO, imO
i : J
Ouir Terms;
THE " IKKDELli KXPRKPS"' is poMMied npovitlie ful
lowithr Ters. tr-.m which tlwre-wjll 1 w ifeiriHtioii
Sulcribttt therpfiirp wilt govoro theiuBelvi's accliagty.
1 copy one TOitr, if (uJUu ads-auo', mi;
If (Mid wjthin'3 immthfe, s - -".2 -25 ;
If paid withm 6 months. . 3 W ;
If uot iid till tin- rtid f the subscript i Vwip; 00.
Z& Having laiid in a large sujjjly of
Newspaper, Flat Cup, Fancy -par' of
various sizes, Cards, colored In k. and
other materials for executing tl fin
est style of printing, the Exprbss tflice
is fully prepared! to turn 0'ut w'c'k -of
any description iin the best M vie ttbe
art, and for moderate cost. .-if;
The Democracy of Iredell Cou$y
Will hold a meeting in the toJn'of
Statesville, on TuesdaA- t)f : the CMntv
Court in February next; for Ibepur
pose of appointing delegates to -'S dis
trict Convention to be held in Wjv?'joi.
Also, for the purpose of appointing
delegates to the State CdnventbTh -fit
Raleigh on the Sth of March nexft
The Democracy of the Countlf are
respectfully invited tr attend nl the
time and place appointed. - a -
MANY DKMOCKA'.jS..
January 14th, 18G0 ;
ft
Hon. A. H. H., Stuart's Addres J
We think the public will be pljrs.d
with the information afforded in vx
tract which Ave publish this'Avck.grrtin
an agricultural address deliver) by
lion. II. Jl. Stuart, of Virginia,' Afliich
gives a very concise history of njroe.
slavery since its first introduetioiS'ainto
. i - j , i . ,
this country, and the method h.dited
by the Ncav England States to g rid
of the institution, when iti was sfcfeer
tained to bo. not profitable, there-) y-itli-Out
loss. The information, is .peculiar
ly opportune at this time, surl, dubt-
s.
Avill bo new to inanV".
b The suoav and t he spell of jti-ny
weather that folI(we, last weekMjiat
was so disagreeable to all sens;tiyver
sons has, effectualh resuscitate the,
wheat .which was looking bad fi:' in
juries previously received' from Vfous
causes. Sunday was a clear, niil(j,day
and Monday nearly so, but the jgus
are again wintoriish. ' ,
Our citizens took advantagifrthe
late freezing snap to s..vc; abimflnee
of ice, Avhich bad a thioknoss of -spoilt
three inches. . 1
Shall the only Tie that binds be Brfjcen?
The only ligament which now unites
the North and the iSoutb,:piveting
open sanguinary hostilities, is tbejOnv
mereial intercourse that subsist? be
tAvccn the tAvo sections, it. is peect
ly evident that, were the South to t jitb
hold her intercourse, all frrendshij,be
tween the two sections "would bt?'en
tiivly destroyed, and open; -Avar pu'd
ensue. The North has declared ien-
ly and unmistakaibly its hpstilitlio a
cherished Southern institution, undrth'o
S-mth has emphatically avowed hc in
tenlion to have no more dealings "iit li
the North if the eirusado against silve
ry is not abandoned by tbe'latter.
Now, it is not oinr opinion, tiiat iftb
er section will recede Irom the po.-jion
that has been assumed bv it fpe
cially the North, in that eveiH,'vilL
the South, fulfil the words ,:!' patriot
ism Avhich have been uttered in heKbe-
half and seek strength iu her
r-vn
right-arm of independence and piec
tion from foi-eign vassalage, by build
ing up and fostering manufacture of
her own; anil jirepare toi 'meetfthe
Avorst crisis if, the Union shall" bejvcr
dissolved. ' . i ' ' .5?
T ho 8outb has done something af
ready in the Avay of domestic mafiutie
tures, but a vastdeal remains yet tC be'
accomplished, before she can suppte
ven a tithe of her . wants, and nu'toy.
years, Avith actiA'e ente: prize, Avoull ibb
requii cd to introduce a general sysm
of manufacturing im our midst. ,ln
while, supplies must be obtained-ff fm,
some quarter, either from thp Isoi;tIor
foreign countries ihv the use and con
sumption of Southern people, ot fine
great self-denial must be observedii
Genuaue to this; subject we subjoin
the following froni the Oxford, N.tt'v
L. Iloar : " Movemients arejon foo-lo
cut off all intercourse between fjie
.North and South, Avhich if 1successl,
Avill sever the only ties whicji. bind fjie
two sections together, fThei !N6rthi9
is she'vn by her Overwhelming maj(tr
ty of Black llepublieans in Congress,
is uiiAvilling for the &6uth to have b!jr
just political rights under the Con--p
tutiori ; and as a retaliatory ipeasfe,
a system of non-interconrse is boldly
advocated in several -southei-n Statis.
Ve have been;so long dependant f
on the Noi th for so many of the ; ac
cessary articles gf Ifle that jit witf Hie
next to impossible,! ifor some tiniest
last, for the people pf the South to ff e
themselves from the commertiaj shatje
les which, their own Indolence has jfbffc-
.
' 3
edupon them. We '-will be compelled
to purchase some articles, Avhich can-
not be obtained south of Mason's and
J)ixon(s line. We should, however,,
deal only with those whom Aveknow
are not our enemies. There are many
merchants in the cities of NeAV York
and Philadelphia, "-ho are southerners
by birth and education, whom 'we
should not eaiiso to suffer with the "
guilty. They should not be associated
with the enemies of the South, for that
would manifestly be unjust. Let our
mercbants, before they make their
purchases in the Northern cities, find
out the sentiments of thoso with whom
they deal, and let them in ho instance
patronize any who have enlisted in the
cause of abblitionizm."
The Address of the Wake Coun
ty Working Men's Association, Avhich
haS been very generally published in
the State, is producing a difference in
opinion Avith regard to its objecis and
merits- Jn the Avest, so Avell as Ave
can learrt, the sciitimcnts of the address
are. popular, in tlie east not so. 'Wo
pivsurne that tax-payers will diA'idein
v oiinions upon the subject as their
property may consist in land or slaves
or other capital".
-ftsT" Friend Silas" Avill please ac
cept of our thanks fin" a sample of " Do
Wolff's Copper Errodium Pens." They
are good pens, soft and elastic and slip
over paper like a " streak of greased
lightning." do nnd supply yourself,
at S. J. Kickert's.
Congress.
The House is still without a Speak-,
er and, consequently Avithout oigani
zation. The plurality rule luv? been
proposed and A'Oted down, tbc rcpubli-,
cans continue" to adhere to Sherman
and the Dmoerats hold out in their re
fusal to unite Avith the Whigs and beat
him, by AOting for M"r (iilniOi.
Whig Meeting in Yadkin.
On short notice there was quite a spirited
ait'l well attended meeting of (ho Whigs of
Yiidkin eonnty, onilie .".d int., it fn-ingTues-lflrV
of " unty Court, for the purpose of ap
"poiiiting delegates to the State Convention,
to he held in tlic city of lfalelgh on the 22nd
of Fi-liruarv next, to nominate a candidate
fur iovenior.
'(' 10tiou of' H F. Arm field,, Jos
"wh. K?...' was ciillcl to the cl.nir, an.:
II. A . Si.cor a.:!niiitcl sc. -ret a rv. 1 he ol
Tosiah
liiriiite'l secretary, i n onjeci
of the 'meet iter was ably exjdained ,by the
chairman. 1 1 was then
Tiiyohnl. That e believe and regard the
Inie iniuciple of a Revenue law isto equalize
taxation, or fo tax evi-rv citizen according to
what lie is wort'h, and die protection his pro
pert v receives.
7,',WW, That' the chairman of this meeU
inir appoint fbu delegates from each district
in tbc county, to represent .this- county in tlio
Whig State Convention, to be held in the city
of liakigh on the 2'd ofVefiruary n.xt.
In piirsnatice of tlie same, the chairman
apjioiiited the follow ii"T delegates, to wit :
If,,,;,,,,-;.- T;tr;-t. M M Cowles, W h
Martui'. Win AS'hite, A C Cowh-a.
Jl'Di'Mvit'c iy,::t, 'r-t. X L .Williams, lion R
C Fu'ryear, Win Harden and W W Long;
('!,. 't"niii) ;...'. Datkiel Hoots, Joel
Revis, Win Cough and .Jesse llevis. .
fla!:'i,iore J !t t. T tdenn, J Jarrait, A
Toindexter nn 1 .1 esse Williams. l
Knxt Jiciul lls!nct.V W Patterson, Dr.T
IT Peynion, A Horn and It P Pohidexter.
'Drt-p C-rrk J ri-t .w Williams, J R'
Hodge, L Oadsburv and W .Jester.
lni'iioUlr l)',xh .-i Daniel Recce,. Samuel
Johnson, Sam'l .TeutHti'is and S T Speer.
Joh'n.,-;tlr jr.xtnct.W H A Speer, A M
Bryan, T f 1 r.amptori and ('(J JSonlia'ni.
Pe!; Sl"tl liisirirt. I S ( irant.-Wilie Fctts
James U'elts anil J 1 Johnson.
1W ;.;', lY.s'rh-f. 1 C L Coolc, W A
Joyce. 11 F Arm field and T b Talbert.
K not I)'xirri. b'alei'j-h Halcomh,,M Aus
.tin, S S Arnold and J ( K Moi.y. i
On i notion, rhe Salem, Pres. fSreenshoro
Patriot. Iredell Kxiress and Raleigh Regis
ter were retpiested to publish the proceedings
of the meeting.
'n motion, the nieetrii'' ndioiirnfd inr dir.
JOSrAH CdWLllS, Cirni'n.
W. If. A. Ki-eek, Sec'y.
II YMJ2 1 K A L..
MAUKIKD,
n the !0th inst,'at the residence of tlio'
bride's fatlieT, lv Pev. J. M. Kennett, Win.
A. Walker to Miss M. A. Sharp.-
On the r.tli inht., by L. V. Cunrphell. Esq.,
Mr. El wood Coffin to Miss Margaret Dohson.
On the '2lh inst.. by KeV. iuintin Holton,
Philip W. Harmon to Miss Surah Jane
Stack, atrof Iredell.
NORTH CAHOLiiNl FQVNQRT
MACHINE WORKS!
FRERCKS & RAEDER.
Sl ( CKSS'iRS TO
1
N. LOVDKN & SON,
ATTILb continue to manufacture and keep
on hand all
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS
in ado heretofore. A lull assorttnent of
Pl.v., . Oiltivatora,
f V.ni-Shellers, N , Straw & Feed
llo.rse -FoAVcrs, jtB ('utters,
Tlireshers, Seed-Sowers,
TJirc.her and Separators, C.ler and Sugar
Mills. They also manufacture
hartiii and illachinery
for Orist Mills, Circular and Vertical Saw.
Mills, Coll, Copper and Silver Mines, Tobac
co Presses and Fixtures, &c, &c.
Iron. and Brass Castings,
Forgings and Finished AVORK of every des
cription made to order, and warranted In ev
ery respect. Repairs ef every description of
Machinery done at short notice. 2
Salisbury, N. C, Jan 20,1800 7:3m
Sale of Valuable Lands
IN
IREDELL COUNTY. ;
WILL be sold at tlie Court House door
in .Statesville, at Public Auction, on the
Tuesday of Iredell County Court, being the
21st day of February next, tw o tracts of land "
.belonging to the'estate of the late Joel II.
Jenkins, and sold by directions in his will.
One tract, known as the John Pott'a lands,
joining the lands of John ilcllenrv: and oth
ers, and contains about 310 Acres. The oth-
er tract ia Known as tne Kobert McJNeely
fJace, and joins John Moore, Isaac A. With
erspoon and othere, contains about 200 acres.
A credit of twelve montliB will be given with
interest after six months. . - '
' -ii. b. Roberts;
' D. A. DAVIS, j
Executors of J. II. Jenkins.
Jan 20,1800 7:ld
3.
Hi