Meaning: This quote by Henry Carey, an American economist, touches upon the impact of the abandonment of the older state on the growth of the domestic slave trade and pro-slavery sentiment. To fully understand the significance of this quote, it's important to delve into the historical context of the United States during the time period in which this statement was made.

The "older State" referred to in the quote likely alludes to the period following the American Revolution, when the United States was undergoing significant changes in its political, social, and economic landscape. The abandonment of the older state can be interpreted as the transition away from the traditional agrarian and mercantile economy of the colonial era towards a more industrialized and commercially driven society. This transition brought about profound shifts in labor practices, land ownership, and social structures, ultimately leading to the exacerbation of the issue of slavery.

Following the American Revolution, many states in the northern region of the country began to abolish slavery or implement gradual emancipation laws. However, in the southern states, where the economy was heavily reliant on plantation agriculture, slavery continued to flourish. The rapidity of the abandonment of the older state in this context likely refers to the swift industrialization and urbanization that was taking place in the northern states, which contrasted sharply with the predominantly rural and agrarian economy of the southern states.

As the northern states embraced industrialization and urban development, the demand for labor shifted from the agricultural sector to the burgeoning industries and factories. This economic transformation had significant implications for the institution of slavery. In the North, the emphasis on wage labor and the growth of industrial capitalism led to a decline in the reliance on enslaved labor. Conversely, in the South, the expansion of cotton and other cash crops further entrenched the reliance on slavery as the cornerstone of the region's economy.

The growth of the domestic slave trade, as mentioned in the quote, was intricately linked to the expansion of the cotton industry and the increasing demand for labor in the southern states. The domestic slave trade involved the buying and selling of enslaved individuals within the United States, often resulting in the forced separation of families and the brutal exploitation of human beings for economic gain. This trade reached its peak in the early 19th century, particularly following the invention of the cotton gin, which dramatically increased the profitability of cotton production and, consequently, the demand for slave labor.

The pro-slavery feeling alluded to in the quote reflects the entrenched support for the continuation and expansion of slavery, particularly in the southern states. As the economic and social divide between the North and the South widened, so too did the ideological chasm regarding the institution of slavery. Proponents of slavery sought to justify its perpetuation through various means, including religious, economic, and pseudo-scientific arguments. This pro-slavery sentiment was deeply ingrained in the political, social, and cultural fabric of the southern states, contributing to the polarization and eventual conflict that would culminate in the Civil War.

In conclusion, Henry Carey's quote sheds light on the transformative period in American history following the Revolution, during which the rapid industrialization of the North and the perpetuation of slavery in the South created a stark dichotomy. The abandonment of the older state ushered in a new era of economic and social change, but it also deepened the divide over the issue of slavery, ultimately leading to the tumultuous and tragic chapter of the Civil War. This quote serves as a poignant reminder of the complex and intertwined forces of economic development, social change, and moral reckoning that shaped the United States in the 19th century.