aves an equal share with the whites, in an average
division of aggregate wealth, the slaveholding States, with their slaves
included, would then be able to give each person two hundred and
ninety-one dollars instead of two hundred and thirty-three dollars,
which is all the free States have to divide with their people.

Is it possible, with these facts before us, to believe that slavery
tends to poverty. Such is the testimony of the census on the relative
wealth of these two sections of our country. It proves that slavery, as
an agricultural investment, is more profitable than an investment in
commerce and manufactures. The facts which have been reviewed prove with
equal clearness, that where slavery exists, the white race, and the
black, have prospered more in their religious, social and moral
condition, than either race has prospered, where slavery has been
excluded. We see that an increased amount of poverty and wretchedness
has to be borne in New England by both races. Ecclesiastical statistics
will show an increased amount of prosperity in religion that is
overwhelming.

Such is the prostration of moral restraint at the North, that, in their
cities, standing armies are necessary to guard the persons and property
of unoffending citizens, and to execute the laws upon reckless
offenders. This state of things is unknown in the slave States.

The census shows that slavery has been a blessing to the white race in
these slave States. They have prospered more in religion, they have more
homes, are wealthier, multiply faster, and live longer than in New
England, and they are exempt from the curse of organized infidelity and
lawless violence.

A comparison of the slave's condition at the South, with that of his own
race in freedom at the South, shows with equal clearness, that slavery,
in these States, has been, and now is, a blessing to this race of people
in all the essentials of human happiness and comfort. Our slaves all
have homes, are bountifully provided for in health, cared for and kindly
nursed in childhood, sickness, and old age; multiply faster, live
longer, are free from all the corroding ills of poverty and anxious
care, labor moderately, enjoy the blessings of the gospel, and let alone
by wicked men, are contented and happy.

Ex-Governor Smith, a few years past, in his message to the Legislature
of this State, showed, if I remember correctly, that seven-tenths more
of crime was chargeable to free negroes th