The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-03-24

" ""l'o"e"; III NeSe NooId require US not
10 subjngsle or deal unjustly by our fellow
men who are less blessed than we are, but
to instruct, to improve and 10 enlish,en
them.
vast majority of the people of,be Uni
ted Slater, in every section Of them, | be.
lievs fegre,,he introduction of slavery into
the colonies, under the au,bo itv of our Brit
ish ancestors, lament ha, single slave
t'eads our soil, deplore the necessity oflhs
continuance Of slavery in any of Tho Stale,
regard the insiiulion as great evil 10 both
races, and wouh rejoice in the adoption of
any safe, just and practicable plan for the
removal OF all slaves from among us. Hi,h
erio no such satisfactory plan has beer prs
scented Wren, on the occasion of,hs
formation of our present Cons tuition OF
Kentucky, in 1899, the question OF the grad
ual emancipation ofslavery in that State
was agialed. its friends had 10 encounter
great obstacle, in the fact that there then
existed no established colony, TO which
they could be transported. Now, by tie
successful establishment Of fourishing col.
onies On The Western coast of Africa, that
difficulty has been obviatcd. And con-
fess, tina, without INDUCING in any undue
feelings of superstition, may seem 10 mo
that it may have been among the DISPENSE
tons Of Providence 10 permit the wrongs,
under which Africa has suffered, to be in
tiiciel; that her child.en might be returned
10 their original home, civilized, inbued
with the benigi spirit of Christianity, aud
prepared ultimately 10 redeem that great
Continent from barbarism and dolalry.
Without undertaking 10 Judge from any
other State, it was my opinion in 1899 that
Kentucky was in a condition 10 admit of
the gradual emancipation other slaves, and
how deeply do lament, that system, with
| that objecr, had no, been established. Ifis
had been, the Stale would now be nearly
rid Of all its slaves. My opinion has never
changed. and Lave frequently PUBLICLY
expressed it. should be most happy if
what was iinprartcahle a, tina, epoch could
now be accomplished.
Alter full and deliberate consideration
Of he subject, itappears 10 me that three
principles should regulate the establishment
of a system of gradual emancipation. The
frs, is, that il should be slow in ITS opera
ton, cautious and gradual, so as to occa-
sion no convusion; nor any rash or sudden
disturbances i'll the eXising habits of society.
ID. That, as an indispensable condition
| the emancipated slaves should be removed
| from the State 10 some colony. And, third
| ly, that the expenses Of their transportation
to such colony, including all outfit for six
months aiter their arrival at it, should be
betrayed by fund TO be raised from the la
| Dor ofeach freed slave.
Nothing could be more unwise than the
immediate Liberation Of all the slaves in the
Stae, nprchsnding, beth sexes and all
ages, from that offender infancy TO extreme
old age. !, would lead to the most fright.
| ful and fatal consequences. Any great
change in the condition OF society should
be marked by extreme care and circumspec
lion. The Introduction of slaves into tho
colonies was an operation of many years
duration; and the work OF their removal
from the United States can only be effected
after the lapse of a great length Of time
think that period Ahould be fixed
when all born after ii should be free at
specified age, all born before il remaining
slaves for life. That period would sug-
aest, should be 1855 or even 1860, for on
! this and other arrangements OF the system,
! if adopted, incline to liberal margin, so
as TO obvia!e as many objechons and to
unite as many opinions as possible. Whe.h
er the commencement of the operation of
the system be a little earlier or later, it is
not so important, as that day should DO
permanently fixed, from which we should
look forward with the confidence 10 the fi-
nal termination cfslavery within the limits
of the Commonwealth.
Whatever may be the day, fixed, wheth
err 1885 or 1860, Or any other day, all born
after it, suggest should be free al The age
Of twenty-five but be liable afterwards 10
be hired out under The authority of the
State, for a term not exceeding years, in
order 10 raise sum sufficient TO pay the
expenses al their transportation to the colo
nv, and 10 provide them an outfit for six
months after heir arrival there.
! If the descendants of those, who were
themselves 10 be free atthe age of twenty
five, we're also TO be considered as slaves
until they attained the san( age, and this
rule were continued Indefinitely as to time
| it is manifest that slavery would be perpetu
ated instead of being terminated. To
guard against this consequence, provisions
might be made that the offspring of tl.ose
who were to be free ottwerty> FIVE, should
be free from their birth, but upon the condi
ton that they should bs apprenticed until
they were twenty one, and be also afier-
wards liable TO oe hired out for a period
not exceeding three years, for The purpose
of raising funds to meet the expense to tho
Colony, and their subsistence for the first
six months.
The Pennsylvania system Of emancipa-