silent. It is then for our president, the commander-in-chief
of our armies, to declare the abolition of slavery, leaving
it to the wisdom of congress to adopt measures to meet the
consequences. This is the usual course pursued by a general
or by a military power. That power gives orders affecting
complicated interests and millions of property, leaving it
to the other functions of government to adjust and regulate
the effects produced. Let the president abolish slavery, and
it would be an easy matter for congress, through a
well-regulated system of apprenticeship, to adopt safe
measures for effecting a gradual transition from slavery to
freedom.

"The existing system of labor in Louisiana is unsuited to
the age; and by the intrusion of the national forces it
seems falling to pieces. It is a system of mutual jealousy
and suspicion between the master and the man--a system of
violence, immorality and vice. The fugitive negro tells us
that our presence renders his condition worse with his
master than it was before, and that we offer no alleviation
in return. The system is impolitic, because it offers but
one stimulent to labor and effort, viz.: the lash, when
another, viz.: money, might be added with good effect. Fear,
and the other low and bad qualities of the slave, are
appealed to, but never the good. The relation, therefore,
between capital and labor, which ought to be generous and
confiding, is darkling, suspicious, unkindly, full of
reproachful threats, and without concord or peace. This
condition of things renders the interests of society a prey
to politicians. Politics cease to be practical or useful.

"The questions that ought to have been discussed in the late
extraordinary convention of Louisiana, are: _First_, What
ought the State of Louisiana to do to adopt her ancient
system of labor to the present advanced spirit of the age?
And _Second_, How can the State be assisted by the general
government in effecting the change? But instead of this, the
only question before that body was how to vindicate slavery
by flogging the Yankees!

"Compromises hereafter are not to be made with politicians,
but with sturdy labor and the right to work. The interests
of workingmen resent political trifling. Our political
edu