Free Labor Goods.

Communications.

Free Labour Goods.

COLLINS, 10th-mo. 1846.

It has long been the sentiment of my mind, that it is wrong for us willingly and knowingly, to aid in supporting any cause, the effects of which produce sin and misery. That Slavery is the cause of much, very much misery and distress, perhaps no one will pretend to deny; and that even some of the Abolitionists are supporting, this cause, by trafficking in, and consuming slave-earned goods. It seems inconsistent with reason, that we should pray for the of we are maintaining, by constantly dropping weights in the scale which we fain would raise. Let us withhold the weights, and the scales will soon come to an equilibrium, when a little would weigh down our scale. But as future events are hid from us, so that we cannot always determine the issue of any course which we may pursue, it is necessary that our reason be directed by unerring wisdom, and that all our actions proceed from pure motives. Then we need not fear the result; for whatever evil may come in by and bye, we may rest assured does not proceed from any act of ours, but had its origin in another source.

Have we not a sufficient number of Abolitionists deeply interested in the cause, who will establish a free produce market? Will they not appropriate a portion of the money which they are using for other branches, in this cause, to assist in bringing about such a trade? I think this would be the most effectual step towards freeing the blacks, that has yet been taken, if it could be judiciously managed.

Let such individuals be selected to manage and oversee the business as may be confided in; such as feel their interests bound together with the interests of all others. Let them go to the Southern planters, and in the spirit of meekness and love, say to them: “We wish for some of your cotton, sugar, and rice, but we are fully determined not to traffic in slave-earned goods; therefore, if you will set your slaves at liberty, and hire them, we will purchase the produce of their labour, and pay you an extra price for it.” This might encourage some one to try the experiment of employing men, instead of slaves, and perhaps others might follow the example, induced by the prospect of a more ready market; and as there are already some free plantations, there could soon be a sufficient quantity of goods obtained to make a beginning. Then these articles might be kept by themselves and fitted for market.

It has often been urged that we should be likely to be imposed upon, by having slave-earned goods presented to us instead of free goods. But I think a remedy for this might be found, by having the price of free goods stationed a cent or two at least lower on a pound of sugar, or a yard of cloth, than the market price of slave goods of the same quality.

Some may think this would be doing too much; but let us pause and view the subject a little. This would be bearing only a small share of the burden which we, ourselves have been heaping upon the slaves, by being accessory with their masters, by buying and consuming what they have compelled the slaves to raise.

No matter how many hands the goods come through; the consumer is the one for whom they are intended. Were there no consumers of slave goods, there would be none handed forth, consequently no slaves wanted. So that the sin of Slavery does not wholly rest upon the slaveholders, but in part upon the purchaser and consumers of the goods; who, for the sake of gain to themselves, have as it were, agreed with the slaveholders to cheat the slaves out of their hard-earned wages. They have done it in deed if not in word, until it would seem as if nearly all classes of community had become coworkers with the slaveholder.

How can Abolitionists continue in this? Will they not overthrow this iniquitous trade by introducing the free trade as here proposed? If they would reserve a share of the money now devoted to the Anti-Slavery cause, for the purpose of procuring free goods, and keep back the money designed for buying slave goods, and turn that into the free scale also, this might enable them to give a price for free goods sufficiently high to encourage the slaveholder to produce free goods by changing his slaves into free men and women. And let it be remembered that each weight thus kept back and put into the free scale counts two, or weighs down as much as two on any other consideration. And should we not be willing to sacrifice a little time and money to recompense the slaves for the wrongs we have done them; and how can we do this in a better or more safe way. This would give them an opportunity to stay with their old masters, or choose new ones just as they could agree; and they would not be compelled to leave their state, town, or neighbourhood, to find their liberty at the risk of their lives, not knowing where to find friends, or daring to return to those they left behind.

There are some individuals who are doing nearly without cotton goods, and others who are purchasing very reluctantly; and would be willing to be at more trouble and expense to procure free goods. Such as those would willingly contribute a little towards supporting a trade in free goods. There is another class who seem all unconscious of its being any crime to use the products of slave labour, but feel compelled to buy goods where they can get them cheapest. Doubtless such would take free goods, so that the free market would soon increase, and continue to increase, until it gained the whole trade.—Slave goods would then soon grow dull in market, for no one would wish to purchase them, as long as they could get free goods at a lower price.

If there could be a channel like this, ever so small, once put in operation, with good, faithful attendance, it would soon deepen and widen. The immediate effect of this would be the undoing of the heavy burdens to let the oppressed go free; and at the same time assisting the poor people who are now almost compelled to purchase what is worse than stolen goods, though many of them are innocent of it because of their ignorance. Thus, many would become supporters in the Anti-Slavery cause unawares.

I ask again, will not Abolitionists withhold their money from buying slave goods, and introduce it into the free trade.

Some people seem to think because there are some few articles of slave labour which we cannot consistently discard the use of, that they may be excused for using the whole. The article of paper, for instance, we must have; but I do not consider that we are supporting Slavery, in the use of it, for no one buys cloth for the sake of the rags. Not a vestige more is bought than would be if the rags were thrown away. However, I do not wish to discourage any, and all other means of assisting the slaves, which may be pursued consistent with truth and righteousness, but hope they will refrain from using the produce of their labour until it can be changed into free labour; wait a little longer for goods; do with a little less for the sake of the oppressed. Some think themselves entitled to the labour of the slave because they are labouring in the abolition cause. Let such consider that although they are working with good intent, how much faster they might progress by moving straight onwards, instead of taking two steps forwards and one backwards. Therefore, if we wish to progress in the cause, let us cease to support Slavery.

I could freely purchase goods of any merchant having a quantity of slave goods on hand, if he had become sensible that in buying these goods he had been oppressing the slaves, and was firmly resolved no longer to partake in this trade; for I should consider such goods free. But I cannot feel justified in taking goods out of any store where, in all probability, they will draw upon the slave to fill the vacancy.

I rejoice that there are several free produce associations already established in the country. With much respect for them, I wish them good success in their undertaking, but think they would progress faster in the cause if they would adopt this plan of buying and selling. True, it would take more capital to carry it on, but I presume there are many, not yet called Abolitionists who for the release of the slaves as we, and I trust many of these would come forward in this cause and cast their mite into the treasury to assist in carrying out this new plan.

But while we are endeavouring to assist the slaves, let us not be unmindful of the pitiable condition of the slaveholders. They are bound with fetters stronger than iron. If we had a father, a brother, or a son, who was a slaveholder, how soon should we fly to him with entreaties for him to disengage himself from so vicious a calling. And let us not forget to plead earnestly with the master to release his slaves from bondage.

AMY TAFT.