The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-13
THE NATIONAL ERA: WASHINGTON D. c. MARCH 10, 1856.
DEsPoTIsM.

DESP0TISM.
| There is no Despotism more rigorous than
that of the Slave Power. The Press in the
South is in complete subsection to it. What
ever may be the convictions of its conductors,
they dare not utter them, unless in harmony
with the known will and policy of that Power
A newspaper in England may arraign the no
bility, and pronounce in favor of its abolition,
but Southern editor who should arry him
self against the Oligarchy, would bee eme at
once the subject of violence, to say not hing of
the pains and penalties of the law E ZEN the
Church has no liberty. Its laity anS clergy
must either sustain Slavery openly, or abstain
from all comment upon it, no MATE what
the conscientious opinions of any pc ton of
them. .
The Oligarchy itself is in bondage to its own
power. No member of it can take position
of antagonism to its privileges or pretansions,
without losing caste, and exposing himself to
prescription and persecution. The result Of
this iron rule is, unity OF purpose and action
among the Senators and Representatives whom
it sends to Congress. Still further-the per-
sonal rights of the individual membera of the
Order are restricted for the sake of strength
ening the power of the whole. The right of
property itself, of which it processes to be SC
jealous, is dealt with by the OGgarchy, as no
Legislature of the free States ever ventures
to deal with property rights within its borders.
For example, the right of manumissien exise
only by sufferance. The Oligarchy frpm time
to time have imposed restrictions ur sn it, to
| such extent, as in some States, a most to
prevent its exercise. Lately it has become
more rigorous than ever, and now Sc ms dis
posed to prohibit master from even sending
his slaves to free State for the pu pose of
liberating them. Hitherto the manum ssion of
| slaves IN Georgia has been forbidden b stat
ute of the State, so that persons desrous of
freeing their slaves, by will or otherw,i e, have
been obliged to have them conveyed to Ohio or
some other free State. In support Of such q
policy, it has been alleged that free colored
population is always dangerous element in q
community where the system of slave labor pre-
walls. But, very lately, as we learn from
Southern exchange, bill passed the Georgia
Legislature, prohibiting all persons from eman-
cipating their slaves, by will or while living,
whether the slaves be conveyed out of the
State or not-in other words, making it impos-
sible for man to divest himself of the slave
holding relation, unless he expatriate himself;
and should this practice be likely to prevail,
the same Despotism, we doubt not, would for
bid that. This is unmitigated tyrannyr and no
reason can be assigned for it but a des lily pur.
pose to maintain the supremacy of tlss Slave
Power, cost what it may to Shareholders indi-
vidually.
We observe that a similar measure is under
consideration in the House of Delegates Of Vir-
ginia. On the 4th instant, the bill to amend
and recommit the 18th and 30.h sections of
chapter 1913 of the Code, was taken up, con-
tanning the following clause" All emancipa-
tons Of siaUes made, or directed to be made, 1y
last ,oiu and testament, shall be null and poid."
Mr.. Claiborne moved to strike out this clause,
as an Infringement of the right of a citizen to
dispose of his property as he might think
proper. -
"Mr. Garnett was in favor of retailing the
clause. He maintained that public ssntiment
in the Commonwealth held the condition of the
slave to be superior to that of the free negro,
and the object of this clause was to prevent, as
far as possible, the further increase of the free
negro population of the Commonwealth, and
the consequent perpetuation of the institution
of Slavery.
Mr.. Mallory. With reference to the policy
of the measure, the remarks made by Mr.. Clni.
that there ny, we're three 9s { ssSussaa
sufficiently conclusive of the necessity of i'm.
posing some restrictions upon the emapcipating
power. He maintained that the clause ought
to be retained, for the reason that it would tend
to check this growing evil of free-negfodom in
the Commonwealth.
Mr.. Stanard moved to amend the clause.
by adding thereto the words, unless adequate
provision shall be made, by such last will and
testament, for the removal from the ST. te of all
slaves so emancipated.'
"Mr. Claiborne addressed the HoI again
in opposition to the clause. He decli red that
if the bill was passed with this obje' tonahle
feature, in less than five years pr position
would be made to enslave the free neg o popu-
lation of the Commonwealth. If tn would
not bring us into contempt among OF + fellow
men, the day was not distant when SUI h meas
ures will be sanctioned as would prod ice that
opposition to the retention of this clau e."
The vote was at last taken, and reulted---
yeas "a, nays So. So the House res solved to
retain the clause. An amendment was agreed
to, as follows; "Unless adequate proeion shall
be made by such last will and testament for the
removal from the State of all slaves so enamel.
pated, within twelve months after the death of
the testator."
"Mr. Garnett then offered the following
amendment:
"'No provision shall be considered adequate,
which is less than s. for such slave emanci-
pated, and no emancipation shall be made. to
take effect in futuro.'
"This amendment was adopted; wbereupon,
"Mr. Garnett moved to fill the blank with
$3.50.
Mr.. Craddock moved to fill the blank with
$50, and Mr.. Claybrook moved to fill with
800.
Before the question was taken upon any of
these amendments, the bill and amendments
were laid on the table, and made the special
order for another day."
1t seems evident that the triumph of the
Slave Power in Federal affairs, only embeld-
ems and stimulates it to increased passion in the
States where it is supreme.
POLITICAL ITEMS
The PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATIC STATE Con-
vENTIoN.-Harrisburg March The Penn
sylvania Democratic State Convention assem-
bled at three o'clock this afternoon.
The Committee on Organization reported