The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 5, May, 1864: Devoted To Literature And National Policy

"The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 5, May, 1864" by Various is a historical magazine published in the mid-19th century, featuring essays, reports, and commentary on contemporary societal and political issues. In this particular volume, various topics are explored, including in-depth analyses of American finances and resources, particularly contrasting the economic growth of Free States versus Slave States during the Civil War. The contributors critically examine these differences and how they relate to the broader socio-economic landscape of the United States during that tumultuous period. At the start of this issue, the opening letter by Hon. Robert J. Walker focuses on statistical comparisons between Kentucky, a slaveholding state, and Ohio, a free state, illustrating the stark disparities in population growth, wealth, and education between the two. Through detailed analysis of census data from 1790 to 1860, Walker argues that Free States like Ohio demonstrate significantly superior progress in terms of economic development and educational attainment compared to Slave States like Kentucky. This argument sets the stage for a larger discourse on the implications of slavery on American society and economy amidst the backdrop of the Civil War.