by these
Southern oligarchists, while the traitors are left in undisturbed
possession of every thing, and even their slaves are exempted from
taxation? It were well that our legislators should ask this
question now, and not wait till it is asked of them by THE PEOPLE.]

'Yes, I mean them, and the three or four millions of poor whites--the
ignorant, half-starved, lazy vermin you have just seen. _They_ are the
real basis of our Southern oligarchy, as you call it,' continued the
Colonel, still laughing.

'I thought the negro was the serf, in your feudal system?'

'Both the negro and the poor whites are the serfs, but the white trash
are its real support. Their votes give the small minority of
slave-owners all their power. You say we control the Union. We do, and
we do it by the votes of these people, who are as far below our niggers
as the niggers are below decent white men. Who that reflects that this
country has been controlled for fifty years by such scum, would give a
d---- for republican institutions?'

'It does speak very badly for _your_ institutions. A system that reduces
one half of a white population to the level of slaves can not stand in
this country. The late election shows that the power of your 'white
trash' is broken.'

'Well, it does, that's a fact. If the States should remain together, the
West would in future control the Union. We see that, and are therefore
determined on dissolution. It is our only way to keep our niggers.'

'You will have to get the consent of that same West to that project. My
opinion is, your present policy will, if carried out, free every one of
your slaves.'

'I don't see how. Even if we are put down--which we can not be--and are
held in the Union against our will, Government can not, by the
Constitution, interfere with slavery in the States.'

'I admit that, but it can confiscate the property of traitors. Every
large slaveholder is to-day, at heart, a traitor. If this movement goes
on, you will commit overt acts against the Government, and in
self-defense it will punish treason by taking from you the means of
future mischief.'

'The Republicans and Abolitionists might do that if they had the power,
but nearly one half of the North is on our side, and will not fight us.'

'Perhaps so; but if _I_ had this thing to manage, I'd put you down
without fighting.'

'How would you do it--by preaching Abolition where even the niggers
would mob you? There's