Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1849-03-22

ment that single slave treads our soil.
deplore the necessity ofthe continuance
of slavery in any Of the States, regard
the institution as a great evil to both
races, and would rejoice in the adoption
of any safe, just and practicable plan
for the removal of all slaves from among
US. Hitherto, no such satisfactory plan
has been presented. When, on the &C.
casion Of the formation of our present
constitution of Kentucky,in 1899, the
question of The gradual emancipation
of slavery in that State was agitated,
its friends had to encounter great ob
stacle, in the fact that there then exist
ed no established colony, to which they
could be transported. Now, by the
successful establishment of Furnishing
colonies on the western cast of Afri.
ca, that difficulty has been obvia,ed.
And confess, that, without indulging
in any undue feelings of superstition, ii
does seem to me that, il may have been
among the dispensations of Providence
to permit the wrongs, under which
Africa has suffered, to be inflicted, that
her children might be returnsd to their
original home, civilized, imbued with
the benign spirit of Christianity; and
prepared ultimately TO redeem that
great continent from barbarism and
idolatry.
Without undertaking to Judge for
any other State, i, was my opinion. in
1899 that Kentucky was in condition
to admit of the gradual emancipation
of her slaves; and how deeply do la
ment that system, with that object,
had not been established If it had
been. the State would now be nearly
rid of all slaves. My opinion has ne.
yer changed and have frequently pub.
licly expressed it. / should be most
happy if wha, was imprac,icable a,
that epoch could now be accomplished.
After full and deliberate considera-
ton of the subject, it appears to me
that three principles should regulate
the establishment of a system of grad
ual emancipation. The first is, that it
should be slow in its operations, eau.
,ious. and gradual, so as to occasion no
convulsion. nor any rash or sudden dis
turbance, in the existing habits of so
ciety. I'd. That as an indispensable
condition. the emancipated slaves should
be removed from the State TO some
colony. And. thirdly, that the expen
ses Of their transportation to such colo
ny, including an outfit for six months
after their arrival at it, should be de
frayed by fund to be raised from tht
labor of each freed slave.
Nothing could be more unwise thar
the immediate liberation Of all III,
slaves in The State, comprehending boil
sexes and al! ages, from that of tende
infancy to extreme old age. 1t woul'
lead to the most frightful disorders ant
the most fearful and fatal consequences
Any great change in the condition o
society should be marked by extrem
care and circumspection. The intro
duction of slaves into the colonies wa
an operation of many years duration
and the work of their removal fror
the United States can only be effccte
after the lapse of great length G
time.
think that period should be fixe
when all born after il should be free q
specified age, all born before it n
r naming slaves for life. That perio
| would suggest should be 1855 or eve
! 1860, for on this and other arrang,
r menls of the system, if adopted, l il
. cline to liberal margin, so as 10 obv
! ate as many objections, and TO unite (
!, many opinions as possible. Whelht
J, the commencement of the operation
, the system be little earlier or later,
D not so important as that day should |
e permanently fixed, from which we cou
look forward, with confidence. to Il
i final termination of slavery within d
d limits of the Commonwealth.
/, Whatever may be the day 6xe
d whether 1855 or 1860, or any 9th
e day, all born after it | suggest, shou
n be free at the age Of twenty-five, b
O be liable afterwards to be hired o,
!. under the authority of the State. for
. ,hraa x,ao., - -