The effects of African slavery in the United States, upon the condition of both races, was eminently beneficial to both.  In no condition, and under no other circumstances, had the African made such advances toward civilization:  indeed, I doubt if he has not attained in this particular to the highest point susceptible to his nature.  He has increased more rapidly, and his aspirations have become more elevated, and his happiness more augmented.  With his labor directed by the intelligence of the white race, the prosperity of the world has increased in a ratio superior to any antecedent period.  The production of those staples which form the principal bases of commerce has increased in a quadruple ratio.  Cotton alone increased so rapidly as to render its price so far below every other article which can be fashioned into cloth, that the clothing and sheeting of the civilized world was principally fabricated from it.  The rapidity of its increased production was only equalled by the increase of wealth and comfort throughout the world.  It regulates the exchanges almost universally.  It gave, in its growth, transportation, and manufacture, employment to millions, feeding and clothing half of Europe—­increasing beyond example commercial tonnage, and stimulating the invention of labor-saving machinery—­giving a healthy impulse to labor and enterprise in every avocation, and intertwining itself with every interest, throughout the broad expanse of civilization over the earth.  To cotton, more than to any other one thing, is due the railroad, steamboat, and steamship, the increase of commerce, the rapid accumulation of fortunes, and consequently the diffusion of intelligence, learning, and civilization.

Sugar, too, from the same cause, ceased to be a luxury, and became a necessity in the economy of living:  coffee, too, became a stimulating beverage at every meal, instead of a luxury only to be indulged on rare occasions.  How much the increased production of these three articles added to the commerce and wealth of the world during the last two centuries, and especially the last, is beyond computation.  How much of human comfort and human happiness is now dependent upon their continued production, and in such abundance as to make them accessible to the means of all, may well employ the earnest attention of those who feel for the interest and happiness of their kind most.  If these results have followed the institution of African slavery, can it be inhuman and sinful?  Is it not rather an evidence that the Creator so designed?

But this is not all this institution has effected.  Besides its pecuniary results, it has inspired in the superior race a nobility of feeling, resulting from a habit of command and a sense of independence, which is peculiar to privileged orders of men in civilized society.  This feeling is manifested in high bearing and sensitive honor, a refinement of sentiment and chivalrous emprise unknown to communities without caste.  This is to be seen in the absence of everything little or mean.  A noble hospitality, a scorn of bargaining, and a lofty yet eminently deferential deportment toward females:  in this mould it has cast Southern society, and these traits made the Southern gentleman remarkable, wherever his presence was found.