"Fair and beautiful, and far

Aloof from desolation,"

and transmit them unimpaired to your posterity, you must prepare-and prepare now, to defend them. Repose not in false security till you are shorn of your strength-bound hand and foot, and rendered powerless for resistance. A few years more of irresolution, concession, and delay, will, in our judgment, prove inevitably fatal. Hence, we appeal to you, as you love the South, and her memories, as you prize those sacred rights, purchased by the blood of your fathers, and guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, to organize, to form associations, to put those associations into communication, to hold conventions of delegates appointed by them, and to do all else in your power as a people, to meet and repel the inroads of an insolent foe, who already vaunts his triumph, and claims your native South as a "conquered province." A wise and extended plan of defence can result only from free and patriotic counsel. The idea which the League embodies, and which it has flung forth on its banners, must prevail, or we perish as a people.

You are still advised to wait. Infatuated partisan leaders, whose narrow aspirations know no higher object than party success-no nobler reward than official spoils, would lull the sense of your wrongs and repress all efforts for resistance, lest they may be foiled in their petty schemes for personal and party aggrandizement. Shall we give ear to their selfish counsel? Shall we longer delay preparation? Shall we wait till a black republican administration is installed at the Federal Capital, till the army, the navy, the treasury, and the immense patronage of the Government, are in the hands of our enemies? It may, then, be too late. The very revenue paid by us into the Federal treasury will be used to purchase mercenaries to train the arms of the Union to awe us into submission!

The South, if true to herself, is amply able to maintain her rights. If driven to the necessity, she has the physical resources, the courage, and the statesmanship to take her stand among the nations of the earth. And while the League of United Southerners seeks to preserve the rights of the South in the Union, and seriously deprecates the causes which are tending to its dissolution, yet we believe, and are free to declare, that the election of a man to the Presidency of these United States, because of his hostility to us and our institutions, would evince such a state of opinion and feeling on the part of the Northern States, and would place us in such a condition in this government, as would .render any further alliance with them ruinous and dishonorable. In that event, in view of the wrongs, insults, and outrages of the past, we at least, are willing to embark our fortunes on the open sea of disunion, and trusting to the justice of our cause, leave the issue to Heaven.

2.-CUBAN LIFE AND CAPABILITIES.

(From the letters of the Rev. Dr. Leyburn, of Philadelphia.)

PLANTATION ARRANGEMENT.-The ubiquitous Yankees, of course, could not fail to find a footing in a land where ounces of gold are so easily earned as in Cuba. Their services, too, are invaluable, especially as machinists and engineers on the sugar estates, and hence, numbers of them come hither, and some with whom we met had been here for years. Their wages are large, some of them getting as much as one hundred and fifty dollars a month and their living; but their life must be one of many discomforts, as they are on remote plantations, with little society but that of the negroes, the proprietors almost uniformly residing in Havana. On each plantation there is usually an "administrator," who has the entire superintendence of its affairs, under whom is a "miral," or overseer, who is not unfrequently one of the blacks. The statements of the machinists and engineers, who came as passengers on our ship from Havana, differed widely as to the treatment the negroes receive. Some of them said they had light work, and were well fed and clothed, and others, that their condition is in all respects as miserable as it can be. The staple article of their food is jerked beef brought from South America, in addition to which they have rice, plantains, and sugar cane. The latter would not seem to be a very valuable item in the bill of fare, though it is said to be very nutritious. The slave trade, as is well known, is carried on on a large scale, the Captain

General, unless he is slandered, reaping an enormous revenue by winking at it. Their mode of proceeding is for several planters to unite, and send a ship to the coast of Africa, with an understanding as to what part of the coast she is to make for on her return. When she is about due small fishing vessels are sent out to intercept her, while a vigilant lookout is kept and signals are made from the shore to warn them in case cruisers are known to be in the vicinity. The human cargo is disembarked with all dispatch, and after being concealed in the woods, in case of suspected danger, are carried off on the first opportunity, to their respective plantations.

COOLIES. However hopeless the breaking up of the slave trade may be, by moral influences, or the police of other nations, it is not improbable that the Cooly system will, in the end, lead to its abandonment. The Coolies, indeed, do not stand the climate as well as the Africans, and in other respects are not considered as good laborers; but they require no outlay of capital, and the supply bids fair to equal the demand. Already there are at least thirty thousand on the island, and accessions are constantly arriving. The afternoon before we left, a ship came in from China, swarming with these half naked, miserable looking creatures. In Havana there are numbers of them employed as boatmen, servants, &c., and some of those we saw in the streets on Sunday had a very respectable, and even genteel appearance. Their treatment on the plantations, according to the uniform testimony we received, is much worse than that of the negroes.

The proprietor has no interest in preserving their lives or health, beyond the time for which he has secured their services, and it is no matter to him if they are turned off at the expiration of the apprenticeship with constitutions broken down by overwork and bad usage. The Coolies, however, are not always as submissive as could be desired. They have sometimes risen up against the miral, and cut him to pieces. When the proprietor comes to arrest the culprit, and inquires who did it, "We all did it," is the reply of every one of them; and as he cannot afford to hang or garrote all of them, the matter usually ends here.

The Coolies thus far brought to Cuba are exclusively Chinese. The planter pays the ship that brings them seventy-five dollars for each one delivered on the plantation. They are then apprenticed to him for eight years, he paying them six dollars a month for their services. As yet, the time of but few of them has expired. Those who have become free have mostly remained here, engaging in peddling and petty traffic of various kinds. It is predicted that many of . them will never get their freedom-that the planters will manage by some means to keep possession of them, the Government winking at it, of course, “for a consideration." One of the American residents said to us that if the United States do not get possession of Cuba soon, the Coolies will, as they are a sagacious people, and if they continue to increase as they have done, in a few years they will have the majority of the population.

CAPABILITIES OF CUBA.-I am no advocate for filibustering, or of any sort of annexation which implies that "might makes right;" but Cuba is worthy of a better destiny than the wretched despotism which now oppresses her. In the hands of enterprising Americans, and under the benign and elevating influence of evangelical religion, this island would be not only "the Gem of the Antilles," but of the world. The fertility of the soil is almost boundless, the labor required in raising crops is comparatively nothing, and the remuneration is well nigh fabulous. I am told that some planters, who have several estates, have an income of eight hundred thousand or a million of dollars annually. On new ground, sugar, which requires in Louisiana to be planted once in three years, will produce its annnal crop for nine or ten years, so that the planter has nothing to do but to reap the harvest every year. Compared with such agricultural mines California placers are small affairs. But notwithstanding these tempting proffers to man's love of money, by far the larger portion of the island is yet a wilderness. A published statement which I have seen gives only one twentieth part of it as under cultivation. Some part of this, it is true, is mountainous and untillable ; but a very considerable portion is as fertile as that which yields so enormous a revenue. I understand, too, that at the eastern extremity of the island there are two ports with harbors equal to that

of Havana-though for all available purposes to the Cubans, they might as well be in Africa.

In addition to the sources of agricultural wealth, there are other abundant materials wherewith an enterprising people would enrich themselves. Copper mines are already partially and productively worked; an abundance of coal lies buried in these mountains, ready to supply the fleets of steamers which rendezvous or call here, whenever any one shall dig it out and bring it to market; while the forests abound with mahogany, cedar, and other such woods as are used for furniture and the most costly fabrics. The Cuban cedar, the material of which cigar boxes are made, grows to a much greater size than our trees of the same name, the trunk sometimes reaching a diameter of three feet or upward. With its varied products and resources, and its position, the wealth of the island, great as it now is, might be multiplied ten-fold.

EDITORIAL MISCELLANY.

[THE recent speech of Mr. Iverson, of Georgia, in the Senate of the United States, is remarkable in many respects. Neither the necessities of party, the hopes of political promotion, nor the advantages of “ sage reflection," have yet been sufficient to divert him from the path of bold, daring, and fearless vindication of the South, in the Union or out of it. Beyond question there are men as good and as true as Mr. Iverson, and actuated by as honorable motives, who have taken refuge in the ranks of the conservatives, and are unable to see very clearly safety and security anywhere else but in the Union. Yet, we are forced to admit a greater congeniality of feeling with him than with any of these, however distinguished for character or ability. While the republican party of the North marches on to power, day after day and year after year, without one single reverse, we must be excused for not admitting the South to be in a position of security greater than at any other period. On the contrary, we think the danger was never so great before.]

guard in both Houses of the British Parliament who sympathized with him or approved the movement; and yet, in less than a quarter of a century, all England became abolitionized, and perpetrated, by a decree in Parliament, one of the most arbitrary and outrageous violations of private rights which was ever inflicted by despotic power upon peaceful and loyal ́subjects. And so it will be in this country. The same spirit which brought about emancipation in the British islands, will produce it here whenever the power is obtained to pass and to enforce its decrees. When the present republican party, or its legitimate successors in some other name, shall get possession of the government-when it has the President, both Houses of Congress, and the Judiciary-what will stay its hand? It cannot stand still; if it does, it dies. To live and reign, it must go on. Step by step, it will be driven onward in its mad career until slavery is abolished or the Union dissolved. One of these two things is as inevitable as death.

I know that there are men, even in the South, who, like the distinguished Says Mr. Iverson: Sir, he knows Senator from South Carolina, argue but little of the workings of human that slavery is stronger and safer now nature, who supposes that the spirit of in the Union than it has ever been— anti-slavery fanaticism which now per- that the South, by unity and concert, vades the Northern heart will stop can always combine with a party at short of its favorite and final end and the North sufficiently strong to carry aim-the universal emancipation of the election and control the action of slavery in the United States by the the Federal Government. In my opinoperation and action of the Federal | ion, there never was a greater mistake. Government. When Mr. Wilberforce began the agitation of his scheme of emancipation in the British West India Islands, there was not a corporal's

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Sir, there is but one path of safety for the institution of slavery in the South, when this mighty Northern

avalanche of fanaticism and folly shall cies may arise from the river or from press upon us; and that path lies the sea, we should have it always at through separation and to a Southern hand. It is as necessary for protection confederacy. This is the great ulti- against tides and overflows, for the best mate security for the rights, honor, and development of our numberless waterprosperity of the South. Sir, there courses, for draining our swamp-lands, are even now thousands of her sons and making them healthy and producwho believe that the slave States, form- tive, as for improving the dry field, the ed into a separate confederacy, and subsoil of which is too often filled united under such a government as ex-with stagnant water and putrid humidperience and wisdom would dictate, ity, injurious to vegetation and to would combine elements of more polit- human life. ical power, national prosperity, social security, and individual happiness, than any nation of ancient or modern times; and, sir, I am among the number. This is not the time or place to enter upon the discussion of this proposition; if it were, the demonstration of its truth would be easy and irresistible. But whether this be so or not; whether the Southern States would be better off in a separate confederacy, or in the present Union, one thing is certain; and that is, that no Union, or no slavery, will sooner or later be forced upon the choice of the Southern people. I do not say, sir, how or when the South will decide the question; but I will say that there is a large and growing party in many, if not in all, of the Southern States, in favor of separation now for causes already existing, as an object both of necessity and political expediency.

Mons. R. Thomassy, whose name has often appeared in our pages, has become a permanent resident of Louisiana, and is giving much attention to the subject of our rivers and their overflows, our levees, embankments, and drainage, and writes often and well upon the subject. He advocates, with ability, the opinion that the Mississippi itself may be used, through its copious sedimentary deposits, as an ample and abundant means of reclaiming and protecting our lowlands, and furnishes us a letter to the same effect, from one of the most scientific and experienced engineers of Holland, a country in many respects similar to Louisiana. We give the letter:

Mons. R. Thomassy, at M. Thomassy's, member of the Imperial Court, Paris:

letters concerning the draining of marshes in

SIR: I have read with much pleasure your

Louisiana, and I agree with you on the proposed system of colmates.

unfit system-a terrible violation of the laws

of nature.

The other system (system of embankCol. Isaac W. Hayne, of South Caro-ments) has great difficulties, because it is an lina, will receive our thanks for his able argument (in pamphlet form), made in the case of the slaver Echo, at Columbia, S. C., as special counsel for the United States. It exhausts the subject for the prosecution.

A pamphlet, by James L. Baker, published under the auspices of a recent tariff convention at Philadelphia, has been forwarded to us, entitled, Exports and Imports. It is ingenious and specious, but it will require abilities far beyond those of Mr. Baker, to revive and establish the fallacies of the protective system, and satisfy intelligent men, in the language of the caption of one of his chapters, that "protection to one branch of industry is protection to all."

True Hydraulic Engineering Skill, is, for Louisiana, a matter of much importance, and when so many emergen

Before the construction of embankments, the waters of the rivers spread themselves over a large surface, and did not rise (far from it) to the height they reach now. But soon each one built up, separately, embankments around his possessions, or some neighbors gathered together to surround their fields with a common embankment; so that sepa rated little Polders were formed. It was only at the beginning of the fourteenth century organized, and that the embankments were that commissions for embankments were placed under a common government, and put by the Comtes or Ducs of Gualdre under their own jurisdiction or ban (whence the name of Bandyk is derived).

Firstly, the embankments were low; but, from time to time, they were elevated and enlarged. During recent years, the embankments of the Betuwe, the Wahal, and the Rhine, have been raised considerably. Works of fascines and creches in the rivers are from time to time augmented. From all this the situation of the river has, without doubt, become more injurious to the Polders. It has added to the elevation of the water, and has and overflows which makes one look with contributed to the great number of crevasses anxiety to the future, however strong may be the measures adopted.

From this short historical resume, one may see clearly that the system of embankment was, from the first, a terrible error against the laws of nature, which are never violated with impunity, either by ignorance or egotism. As to the soil of Polders, it is still what it was of old, and has become from

time to time, by the solid and slimy elements which the rivers carry there by their yearly inundations. In stopping these inundations, the country was deprived of the benefit which the rivers were granting anew every year. This loss was instantly accompanied with many difficulties and dangers, which were increasing as the people persevered under that

bad system.

Our ancestors have shut up their country and districts in kinds of caves, as if that state of things could remain so forever without changing! In not perceiving that these countries were overflowed and enriched in advance

by the mud during the winter, as well as augmented and raised up from time to time, they have caused the loss of this precious mud into the rivers, into the sea, and elsewhere, whilst their lands were sinking down each day more and more. Yes, it is already so much so that they must now turn the water several leagues distant, by a double play of windmills, to carry it up to the river as to a garret, when in former times the country was drying itself with water gates.

the question as one of natural law, and exhibits erudition and rhetoric.. What he says in relation to the South and the Union is very beautiful :

Mutual self-respect is the only term of association upon which either individuals or societies can or ought to live together. How long could our Union endure, if it was to be preserved by submission to a fixed policy of injustice, and acquiescence under an accumulating burthen of reproach? We are willing to give much for union. We will give territory for it; the broad acres we have already surrendered would make an empire.

We

We will give blood for it; we have shed it freely upon every field of our country's danger and renown. will give love for it; the confiding, the forgiving, the overflowing love of brothers and freemen. But much as we value it, we will not purchase it at the price of liberty or character."

A union of suspicion, aversion, injustice, in which we would be banned Although the system of embankments is still maintained, and though there are differ- not blessed, outlawed not protected, ent reasons which may still compel their whether by faction under the forms of existence, it is, and it remains still, a danger-law or revolution over them I care not, ous system, and I prefer much more your system of colmates. But what to do now? It

is too late.

I send you herewith a part of what I promised you, and in return, I recommend myself, and hope to receive, from time to time, such good advices like those you have given me. Accept, sir, my sincere regards.

W. A. SHOLTEN.

has no charms for me. The Union I love, is that which our fathers formed; a Union which, when it took its place upon the majestic theatre of history, consecrated by the benedictions of patriots and freemen, and covered all over with images of fame, was a fellowship of equal and fraternal States; a Union which was established not only as a bond of strength, but as a pledge of justice and a sacrament of affection; a Union which was intended, like the arch of the heavens, to embrace, within the span of its beneficent influence, all interests and sections, and to rest oppressively or unequally upon none."

SOME kind friend at St. Louis calls our attention to a passage in the article which appeared in our January number, entitled " Slavery-The Bible and the Three Thousand Parsons," reflecting upon some of the doctrines and practices of the Roman Church. We need scarce

OUR friend, Dr. J. Lawrence Smith, of Louisville, Kentucky, has made a report upon the subject of Artesian Wells, with direct reference to a new and very extraordinary one recently opened in Louisville, Kentucky, by the Messrs. Dupont, which reaches to the depth of 2,086 feet, discharges a jet of water to the height of 170 feet, and has a flow of 330,000 gallons every day. The water is ascertained to have the most valuable mineral properties, and may be used as a remedial agent in diseases of the stomach, liver, kidneys, in scrofulous affections, etc. Dr. Smith gives a brief account of several other wells, to wit, the one at Paris, and those in Bavaly say to our friend that an editor canria, Artois, in Charleston, S. C., St. not be held responsible for the views of Louis, and Lafayette, Indiana. In ana- his contributors without trammeling that lytical chemistry, Dr. S. has few equals. freedom of discussion, which is the very touchstone of all truth. In an impartial and neutral position, it is our part as frequently to receive the complaints of Protestants as of Catholics. said in the February number, page 173, "It is our delight to set forth the vir 8

THE address of J. P. Holcombe before the Virginia State Agricultural Society, of which he sends us a copy, discusses, with many new lights, the right of the Stale to institute slavery. He considers

VOL. I.-NO. III.

We