Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-02-02
EMANCIPATION OF sERFs IN MoLpAvIA

The following is the text of the decree, dated the
2Sth of November, by which Prince Ghiks has
emancpated the serfs in Moldayia:
"The law voted, in 1874 by the Extraordinary
General Assembly, relative to the entrsnchisement
of the serfs belonging TO the State. to the meropo
ls to the hiehoprics and 10 the monasterios in gen
era provided, ut the time, for the pro gre-sive
purchase of the seris OF private persons, by set
ting apart for the purpose the sums arising from
the tax of the freed men, The 0bject Of this phi
lnnthrOpic measure was to arrive, In series of
years. at the abolition OF slavery in this country,
and it reposed principally on the hope that most of
the owners Of serts moved by emulation, would
spontaneously aid in the liberation of human be-
ings in their pOssessi0n. We, however, regret to
have to state that very few among them have thus
far responded to this humane appeal, while, on the
other hand, the small sums set apart for the re-
deeming slaves nave not by any means effected
their plete manumissiOn. Among the duties
which our position imposes on us and among the
reforms which we have attenp pied to realize, we
find this question is one of those which must be
dealt with before any other, because it springs
from the laws of humanity itself, and greatly con
Germs the dignity Of the country. Al the moment
whch all Europe testi6es such great interest in
the Principalltie., and contemplates hxing their
future deetinies, it is the duty of country, on
its part, TO take step in advance. Many years
have passed since slavery was abolished in all the
civilized States of the Old World; the Moldo ALA
CHA States have alone preserved this disgracefu
vestige Of barbarous society; in these Princi pail
ties alone slavery forms part Of the general social
order. Such an anomaly neither ought to nor can
any longer exist such state of thinge is in oppO-
siion to the sacred dogmas of the Christian re-
gion to all the principles Of humanity, and to the
vital interests of the State; it is, in fact the plague
Of society," plague which we must not try 20
keep from observation as has hitherto been at
tempted-for it is impossible TO hide it-but one
which we must try TO remedy a. soon possible
In consequence, Prince and Christian,
consulting the dignity Of the country and the SEN
timents Of own heart, now call the serious
attention of Council to this important question:
we count on its active cooperation in aiding us to
solve this matter in a spirit in conformity with the
great laws of humanity and at the same time, not
to forget the indemnity which is due to the posses
sors of slaves; and we recommend IT to prepare
bill on the subject, and to submit it to us in order
that it may be discussed by the General Dvan.
our opinion is, that the basis of this measure should
be-l, The immediate abolition of Slavery in
Moldavia; 2, The regulation and the mode Of APP
portioning the indemnity be accorded TO the
possessors of slaves. We hope that the co-opera.
ton of cur eountrymen, without distinction. will
not fail US in this humane question we do not
doubt that the Ministers themselves will devote
their efforts to carry out to ts full extent the task
which we thus eonfde 10 them and, for this pur.
pose, we reckon on the zeal and on the principles
of humanity which they have constantly displayed.
&c. GHiKA.
"Countersigned, "R MAURoJENI."