The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-02
Proposition to Enslave Ninety Thousand
Free Negroes In Maryland.
The following memorial 70 the Legislature Is in cirlun

The following memorial TO the Legislature Is In ciruh
ton in Marylani:--
we the undersigned citizens Of this STATE beg leave
respectfully 70 present to your honorable body that the
industrial, essentially demands firm and decisive iegsla
ton on the subject OF our slave aud free negro popua
ton (now amsuntng 70 90 600 or morc are in the main
Of idle and depraved habits that they copgregae In the
cities and villages and subsls by theft and the perform
Of short Jobs OF work by the day hour and that
no Of Sn worthy wSo
OF right entitled TO such work, but superseded
by such free negroes TO the great injustice Of such needy
II asso known that in the country those free negroes
will no. hire by the year. with but few excptions as
aborers farmers, but live mostly by dishonesty
by the aid Of slaves whom they corrupt and prefer
to marry. That few Of them compared TO the mass
rent farms, and thereby force our white renters
to leave the State for the West and other sections It
is also known that como Of said free negroes enter
into trades and mechanism Of various kinds, to the
great ipjory Of our worthy white mechanics. These
constitute only fraction OF our vast number OF free
negroes, but the effect upon the poor white sborer
renter and mechanic Is disastrous as is unjust Char
ty should begin at home first and should be Just
TO white citizen population before generous
to the free negro Even If the free negro such
work as well as the whites (Which deny), still that
would furnish jusying plea against the necessi-
ties and interests Of the poor white man.
Such plea is insulting TO citizens, for IL would
the free negro and citizen That rule would 10 sound as
between all citizens but extremely unjust between
citizens and free negroes This government instituted
for the benefit the white man. and as he has to sustain
its burdens by taxation and defend its safety by his
life it Is his legitimate and exclusive right 10 have all the
benefits II affords.
To allow the free negro TO compete with white clti
zen, in the industrial pursuits OF hie gross injustice
the part of the State. contingency contem-
plated by the trainers Of the federal constitution by
the trainers Of the constitution of this State.
But the vast bulk of free negroes foreign TO all
habits Of industry and live by stealing the fruits Of the
white mans sweat and toll, when he is quietly asleep
They drift about from place 70 place Whaling the slaves
and often act agents Of abolitonsts aid in the
escape Of slaves for which they paid by emssaros
from the North. They burden upon US, filing
county jails taxing heavily for court charges,
and finally are sent 10 the pententary, where have
to vote them large supplies of money for their support
negrosp cannot much ouger exist side by side In this
State One or the other must give way Many slave
holders in this State anxoasy awaiting the action
Of your body and If nothing is done to their pro-
pery they will take 1t further South and leave Maryland
free negro State The abolition Of free negroism Is es
scntal to the security Of property n well the
rights OF our laboring white population.
No more pareying, no more nmid and compromising
legislation will meet the issue Of this question the
State would preserve her integrity loyal ally OF the
ings poisoning and servilc strife in her bosomshc
will abolish free negrosm throughout her borders at the
earliest possible period
We therefore pray your honorable body TO pass laws
ensavng FREQ negroes or life 10 citizens,
be accompanied by an exemption from sale under
ton for debt
We also pray that strong military police for each cleo
ton district IN the State may be appointed 10 execute and
enforce all laws upon this subject and the slave laws of
this State also that universal pass system may be
adopted Various other essential provisions GERMAN 70
this subject will naturally suggest themselves 70 the wis
dom Of your body.
For all Of which your petitions, in duty bound, will
ever pray, &c.