Free and Slave Labor.
Dublin Core
Title
Free and Slave Labor.
Description
The general impression seems to be that free labor is the cheapest; but we will suppose a case of the utter annihilation of slave labor in the United States, what then, when all competition was withdrawn would be the price of free labor?--Lou. Morn. Cour.
It would be either greater or less than it is now, or continue the same. If greater, the masses of white working men throughout all the States would be the gainers--and of this they could not complain. If less, the slaveholders of Kentucky would be the gainers--and of this they could not complain. If it should continue the same, [?]dy would be the gainer or loser, under this aspect--and so nobody could complain.
The fact is, free labor is cheaper,--(we do not say in this or that particular branch of industry,)--far cheaper in the main, because it produces more, and wastes less.
The question of special interest to Kentucky is, not how the price of free labor would stand, were slav-labor totally annihilated in the United States, but what would be the price of free labor, were slavery extinguished within its particular limits. To answer this question it is only necessary to refer to the price of labor in Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, and other new free countries. Labor is high, because the demand for it is great. Such would be the case in Kentucky--for it is not barrenness of soil or any natural disadvantage that retards the growth of her population,--it is slave-labor alone. Abolish this, and the northern hire of free laborers would swarm over the immense tracts of uncultivated land in Kentucky, extracting from the virgin soil its still hidden wealth. Meantime, till the supply had equalled the demand, there would be of course an increase in the price of labor, and in prices generally--until the equilibrium should be fairly established,--so that all would be gainers.
It would be either greater or less than it is now, or continue the same. If greater, the masses of white working men throughout all the States would be the gainers--and of this they could not complain. If less, the slaveholders of Kentucky would be the gainers--and of this they could not complain. If it should continue the same, [?]dy would be the gainer or loser, under this aspect--and so nobody could complain.
The fact is, free labor is cheaper,--(we do not say in this or that particular branch of industry,)--far cheaper in the main, because it produces more, and wastes less.
The question of special interest to Kentucky is, not how the price of free labor would stand, were slav-labor totally annihilated in the United States, but what would be the price of free labor, were slavery extinguished within its particular limits. To answer this question it is only necessary to refer to the price of labor in Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, and other new free countries. Labor is high, because the demand for it is great. Such would be the case in Kentucky--for it is not barrenness of soil or any natural disadvantage that retards the growth of her population,--it is slave-labor alone. Abolish this, and the northern hire of free laborers would swarm over the immense tracts of uncultivated land in Kentucky, extracting from the virgin soil its still hidden wealth. Meantime, till the supply had equalled the demand, there would be of course an increase in the price of labor, and in prices generally--until the equilibrium should be fairly established,--so that all would be gainers.
Source
The Cincinnati Weekly Herald and Philanthropist 9:30, p. 2
Date
4.9.1845
Collection
Citation
“Free and Slave Labor.,” No Stain of Tears and Blood, accessed October 22, 2026, https://productsoffreelabor.com/items/show/116.
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