Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-06-17
Vol. IV.---No. 40.


ect was to know il the Legislature would
blow hot or cold Oh this question, and
he wanted the substitute adopted that
the Legislature might be brought to
direct vote on the proposition.
The president stated that the second
resolution of the majority report should
have been read as part Of the first, and
proceeded to read it.
James T. Earle said no would ask the
convention if it was ready to vote for
proposition that would rid the State of
fifty per cent of its available labor p
Such step would at once drive one-half
of the negro population from the State
and were the people of Baltimore prepa-
red to be deprived of the half Of rs, 900
of their menials ? To do such thing
was not mankind. The proposition was
monstrous, and could not be sustained
by considerate body. Were the peo-
pie of Caroline county willing to be driv-
en- to such necessity? He was sure
they would not. He did net deny the
regard of the gentleman from Worcester
for the negro, bat the speaker differed.
He believed that the negro was intended
to be subservient to the white man, and
that God intended him to labor for tho
white man. He did not believe that the
white man was intended for mental labor;
and when it camo to that, much as no
loved Maryland, he would 60 to south
ern cline. The free negroes were idle
half their time, but if they were COM
peeled to work the good result would be
seen. To stop manumission would con-
fiet with the opinion of many honest
thinking people; but such guard should
be thrown around it which would compel
the party manumitting to provide for
their removal from the State, or, if they
prefer to remain, to 60 again into sla-
very.
Hon. A. Il. Sellers defended the ma
jority report. lie was satisfied that there
were no free negroes in the State who
would willingly 60 into slavery, and then
what social and political shock would the
withdrawal Of 90, 900 laborers produce. II
such bill was to be passed, it should
be entitled "a bill to appreciate slave la
Dor, and to deprive the poor man who
does not own a negro from filling his
land" Such thing would offend pub
lie sentiment. This was Shareholders
convention, by whatever name it might
be called, and the adoption of such q
proposition would shock the moral and
Christian sense, and damn forever those
who adopted it.
Mr.. Duke said he was not welded to
the proposition of the gentleman from
Worcester, but he wanted some legisla-
ton In the county where he lived the
free negroes would not work, and it was
the wish of the people that if they will
not work they may go into slavery.
Judge Mason said tho question was,
shall Maryland continue slave State, or
shall it become free State He then
spoke of the increase of the free negro in
comparison with the increase of the free
negro population, and remarked that If
it continued Maryland would soon be-
come free negro State. He spoke of
the removal of the free negroes as not
oppressive. Slaves would spring up on
the disappearance of the free; but if
things went on as at present the State
would glide into free condition within
the next quarter of century. The gen
tleman from Calvert surely did not know
what feeling of anti-slavery existed in
the State of Maryland. Let him take
the stump in favor of anti-slavery. (Mr.
Sollers--I hope the gentleman will not
mention my name in any such connec-
ton Judge M. begged pardcn-he
only made the remark as compliment,
or any other gentleman of equal talent,
and he would have thousands iocking to
his standard. 1t was not tho vagabond
negro who made slavery sit uncomforta-
bly, on the slave, but the thrifty who
are seen by the slaves, make the dissat-
isactfion.
Mr.. Dorsey, Of Howard, said he was
opposed to the call Of the convention, and
his county was represented because they
we're opposed to the convention. Slave
holders conventions had been held years
ago, and what had been done? Slave
holders who could not manage their own
slaves come here and talk and scold; but
what had been done The proposition
to make slaves of the free was monstrous,
and worse than the African slave trade.
The gentleman from Worcester had pro-
posed TO give every man negro. That
would be popular thing, but there was
but one way to accomplish anything, and
that was To hold the FREQ negroes in sub
lection. lie should, at the proper time.
move TO refer the reports of the majority
aud minority to the Legislature.
Mr. johnson said that the legislation
necessary was for State half slave and
balffree. 1t was impossible TO keep slaves
in the northern counties Of the States.---
The negroes would not do forced labor
while Pennsylvania was within ten miles
ofhcm. Tho people Of those counties
could not keep negro property, and would
not whilo negro is worth 81 400 in N.
Orleans. He opposed the return of free
negroes TO slavery as impracticable, for
while he did not think such thing mon
strous he could not get the people Of the
State TO think as he did. He thought
they should be governed by legislation.
The white man was held in surveillance
until he was twenty-one years old, be-
cause il was not until that time that no
arrived at discretion. The negro, in his
opinion, never arrived at the age Of dis
'retion, and be should by proper laws be
Kept in surveillance until be was l0l
years old. The principles should be we'll