The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-09

When we alluded, a few days ago. to the Bills
drafted by the Chairman of the Committee on Col
ored Population, we did not think, as we then
stated, that they would be very seriously pressed
upon the attention of the Legislature But it now
seems that the views of Mr.. JACOBS are likely TO
meet with little more favor from that body than
we had supposed, for they have been earnestly
seconded by one of its most influential members.
Mr.. LONG asked leave, on Monday, to introduce
an order instructing the above named Committee
to Establish police for the control of the free ne
''gro population of the State,' and he submitted
and advocated series of resolutions indicating
the line of policy to which he desired the action of
the Committee to conform. The consideration of
these was postponed until a subsequent day, and
in the meantime the Committee has reported its
measures to the House. We have not yet had the
opportunity of examining them, but we have
every reason to believe that they accord with the
resolutions which Mr.. LONG desired the House to
endorse. We may, therefore, safely venture the
assertion that they will he obnoxious in the ex-
IRENE to the vast majority of our people. Two of
the most Objectionable of Mr. LoYG's propositions
read rs follows:
giving of freedom slaves by will or deed executed since
the 18th of March, 1882.
A negroes heretofore become free by manumisson or
WILL since the 18th of March 1882 shall be compelled to
leave the state or return to slavery"
Such laws as are here applied for would be
douby useless, for they would fail to answer the
purposes for which they were enacted, and would
materially retard the prosperity of the State
Apart from their manifest injustice towards large
and ht1,o 40 e
gard for the interests of Maryland would compel
US to oppose them The inhabitants of the lower
counties might by such legislation be relieved,
for the time being, of some of the evils thew now
complain OF, but what they gained would be more
than counterbalanced by the heavy losses which
the residents of the upper counties would sustain
That the free negroes would leave the State in q
body Immediately after the passage of such Acts
no one can reasonably doubt. However desirable
that result might be to some there are very MANY
others to whom it would be more than
unwecome. In Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Car
roll, Frederick, Hartford, and Washington counties
there are over 43, 900 free blacks who are en-
ployed in me1ial services and in agricultural
operations. OF these there are in Baltimore
county alone more than 1000 males, between
fifteen and sixty years of age. The withdrawal
OF such proportion of the laboring class could
not but be severely felt by all, and to many of
the smaller farmers it would be absolutely ruin
Gus. The demand for laborers, thus suddenly
created, could not possibly be supplied in time to
prevent the most disastrous consequences The
steady and competent hands whose introduction
here might amply compensate us for the departure
of the negroes would come in tardily from the
other States in which they have already settled
A turbulent and migratory class might rush in
and swarm over the vacant fields but it is ques-
uonable whether our position would be then bet
tered or made worse In any case the destruction
OF the institution of slavery would be precipitated
1t is an undeniable fact that hostility towards the
system is chiefly manifested by those who are
removed from all contact with the negro. They
who are most familiar with the condition of the
SUBJECT race, and who have learned to regard it
not only with consideration, but with something
OF kindly affection, well content to live as our
fathers did before us. They know that its situa-
ton is far from being an uncomfortable or I'M
happy one; and as they have practical experience
10 guide them, they are not likely to trouble
themselves about the impracticable issues
that are raised in the North But when
the northern half of Maryland shall be occu-
pied exclusively by whites whether they be
new settlers or born upon the soil, totally DIFF
lerent feeling will soon spring up among them
regarding the institution of slavery. From hav-
ing lost sight of the negro, they will lose sight
OF MS real relation to his MASTER and the political
distractions for which narrow minds have such an
affinity, will affect men here as they have done
elsewhere; and wherever they acquire any active
lnfiuence the promulgation of extreme views will
be the consequence. Having the legitimate right
TO express their sentiments upon this topic and
being called on to take part in the government
OF the State is easy to foresee that the people
OF those counties from which every negro has
been long baniShed, will soon begin to com.
PLAIN that slavery is burthen to all, and
to agitate for its abolition. 1t seems to us clear
that even if the inhabitants of our northern coun.
ties are wi li"g to bear the loss, they mus
incur through the Punishment of the free negroes
mat the ultimate consequences we have glanced a
will rapidly follow the enactment of the laws pro
posed. We are satisfied that any effort to uphold
slavery by resort TO such means as the Legsla
tnre is asked to adopt, will pave the way for it.
downfall. There is surely no occasion for trying sc
dangerous an experiment as these sweeping mea-
sures involve. Whatever changes of our political
condition time may have in store for us. should
as far as possible, be brought about crcumspectly
and slowly Any alterations of established Gus
toms necessarily affect certain individuals O,
localities disadvantagcously, and unless they arr
introduced by those who are capable of taking 6
comprehensive survey of the questions to be deter
mined, a caiamltous confusion is certain to ensue
1t seems now as if the subject to which our atten
ton is here directed, is too much in the hands o.
gentlemen whose desire to redress their pecula,
grievances may lead them unconsciousy to do inius
tice to the people at large The increase of the FREE
negro population is, admit an evil or certainly
will become very serious one after the lapse of
few years. Amy legislation that will prevent this
would be acceptable. Laws to prohibit them from
coming here in future to reside, or to preclude
those who voluntarily leave the State from returning
to 1t, would iufiict injury on none and would re
iieve US of the agents through whom discontent
are mainly engendered and fomented. With E
little care and patience, our colored population il
manageable enough, and we trust the Lepislatnr,
will set itself to work to devise means to improve
ITS condition, and abandon the consideration o
projects which will drive the negroes to destruc
ton, and infict incacula able damage on the people
of one-half of our State
THE COOPER OPERA TROUPE.
The performances Of opera by the English Com
pany now at the Front Street Theatre are the very