The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-23
COMMUNICATION.
TIE NEGRO QUESTION.

MEssRs. EDIToRs-Will you give place in The
Exchange to the voice of Private citizen, on the
subject of the bills relating to the free black popu-
laton of this State, under discussion before the
Legislature?
During the twenty years that ! have enjoyed n
citizens privileges there has been perhaps no sub
ject that, citizen of Maryland, has interested
me more constantly and deeply than the slavery
question. l was born and have passed my life in
this State. Slaves have been held in my own
family, and are held by many of my intimate friends
and neighbours | may, therefore, presume to as in
innate knowledge OF the subject as lifetime
familiarity with, and study it, can give. have
been in the habit of discussing the subject freely
and fully with many persons of intelligence and
wisdom here and abroad, with view either to my
own better information theirs, and not, believe
without result in both cases. In a word, | am
satisfied that without presumption may claim to
speak the sentiments and opinions of a cass-and
a numerous one-neither fanatical, unreasoning
nor ignorant, that truly conservative class, indeed,
in whom the institutions of the South have always
found their strongest defence.
| venture the broad assertion that ana oppressive
legislation in the spirit of the bills introduced into
the Legislature by Mr.. Jacobs will create in this
State feeling more dangerous and damaging to
the rights and interests of the Shareholder than the
concentrated form of all his enemies beyond its
borders. Let any such act accept its title in ad-
vance-"An act to erect an antSlavery party in
Maryland''
| need not here recapitulate the arguments by
which every Gight-minded Southerner defends the
Institution of slavery as it has hitherto existed in
this State; enough that we believe them based
upon and entirely consistent with humanity, sound
philanthropy, and humble acknowledgment of
the hand of Divine Providence ruling in all hui
man relations. Especially are we accustomed to
point to the superior condition of our free JLack:
population over the class in the free States as
evidence that the humane duties of the strong to-
wards the weak are better understood and more
truly practised the soil where slavery exists
han elsewhere.
Let the STAKEHOLDER of Maryland beware how he
destroys this ground under our feet, and makes
the Constitution such that man of conscience and
humanity can no longer stand up in defence of it.
The eyes that must sink in shame before the taunts
and ordinations of those whom we have hitherto
confronted upon ground of truth and reason, will
turn with terrible Indignation upon him who shall
bring this disgrace upon us. The spirit he will
evoke will be something different from that which
we know by the detested name of ''Abolitonism.
Fanaticlsm is lmpotent in its insanity. Even sin
cere and intelligent philanthropy abroad is mad in
its ignorance of and remoteness from, the subject
with which it deals To both we have said, ''Let
us alone-we will manage our own affairs" Citi-
zens of Maryland neither fanatical nor igno-
rant, nor weak-and they a1W manage their orr,
affairs. And wo unto the stakeholder when that
hitherto imaginary antagonism between him and
the n-slaveholder of his own State shall become
through his own insane act, terrible reality! Wo
unto him when CHS foes shall be those of his own
householder
A few words to those gentlemen who appear sim
cerely to look upon this proposition of 'bindine
OUT free negroes as a truly humane MEASURE
They have considered it in theory only. Let them
in imagination go forward few months to its
practical working. A swarm of despicable, low
officials, will be let loose upon the most thriving
and worthy of the free black population-upon all
who have means to be plundered-for those will be
their chief mark. hideous traffic in wretched-
ness will spring up in this State, which will degrade
the white man who practises it lower than the
most AFFECT of the negroes in whom he speculates.
Within week, have heard of a country lawyer
who invested four dollars and fifty cents in negro
convict, and sold him for 81 900 to the South. He
has rid the State OF one negro convict. He out
weighs the benefit by remaining here himself
This "binding OUT system is even now practised
neighborhood recently, free black woman fed in
terror to a humane gentleman to protect her four
children against a magistrate, who was making
"eight dollars a head" by Selling negro children
and binding them out on the false pretext of vaga-
bondism. Can the legitimate STAKEHOLDER expect
that the spectators of these acts will choose to
draw any very nice distinctions between him and
these "bond-holders ?' Let him pause ere he ere
ates class of shareholders whose nfamy must GER
tainly become his
There is probably, on the average, not a family
in this State which has not its worthy free black
dependent-dependent not for material support,
but for kindness and counsel for protection in trou-
ble for all that a helpless race should and must
have from their superiors. Leave the class to the
protection of our social system it now is and let
US hope that the movement which has stirred so
many minds on this subject recently may result
only in turning them with more enlarged human
ity towards our feeble dependents. HARPER.