Kentucky high in the world's regard. Or old Virginia, "the mother of Presidents" — will she take the lead in this good work? Indeed, she has already taken the lead — or at least some of her most sons were among the first to take the initiatory steps. As early as 1777, a plan was proposed by Mr. Jefferson, in the legislature of that State, for emancipating all the slaves born after that period, educating them — the males to the age of twenty-one, and the females to that of eighteen — and establishing colonies of them in some suitable place. Let Virginia resume now this plan of her eminent citizen, and carry it into execution; and her glory will be greater than that of being "the mother of Presidents," — she will be the mother of thousands of men — freemen, made such by her own act.
The example thus set by either of these would soon be followed by the two remaining border States, Maryland and Missouri, and then by others further south, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas. And to this course they are all urged, not only by principle, but also by manifest self-interest. Free labor is universally allowed to be, in the long run, far more profitable than slave labor. "That labor," says Mr. Freeman, "we should suppose most profitable, in which the laborer knows that he will derive the profits of his industry; his employment depending on his diligence, and his reward upon his assiduity. Then there is every motive to excite to exertion, and to animate to perseverance. Therefore, when the choice exists, to employ at an equal price free or slave labor, the former will be decidedly preferred, because it is regarded as more capable, more diligent, more faithful, more worthy
