Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-12-14
Ema ncipatiou and Compensation.

Tho President in his message assum es,
says the Harrisburg TdtriOt md Union,
that large number of "contrabands'wil
necessarily be liberated by the present
war, and recommends that provision be
made for coonizipg them to some country
purchased for that purpose. 1t is also
recommended that authority be given to
take, in lieu of taxes, certain valuation
of these troublesome persons in States de-
string to get rid of them. The abolition
leaders in Congress go much farther than
this, and demand that all the slaves be
emancipated, the Government affording
reasonable compensation to- loyal owners
for the loss of their property. We sup
pose that there are few persons who stop
to reflect upon the impractibility of this
undertaking from its very magnitude. If
this war last another year, at the existing
rate of expenditure, the total war debt of
the United States cannot be much short
of 81 500 600 900, the annual interest on
which, at seven per cent, would amount
to SlO5 100000. Add to this the ordi-
nary expenses of Government after the re-
turn of peace, which would not be less,
with the u most economy, than 500, ,OOO,-
600 year, and we find the necessary ex-
-..z.s &c ~ auo,,,,ont , pount;pcr to G1G5 .
900 900 annually. With the return Of a
moderate degree of prosperity we could
not expect a revenue of more than $685.
600 900 from customs-so that at least
100000 900 annually will have to be
raised by direct taxation
Now should Congress enter upon sys-
tenn Of general emancipation with compen-
sation to loyal masters, the burden upon
the Government wo uld be greater than it
could possibly carry. The Secretary OF
i War estimates the lowest value Of slave
property in the Southern States at $780,
OOO, 900 which is not more than one fourth
the actual value in times Of peace. Ia
king one half of this amount as represent.
ing the property of loyal masters, and the
Government woul become liable for the
payment of $3.50, 900, 900, ,and an expendi-
ture of an equal sum would be required to
purchase territory for colonization and
means of transportation. But estimating
the total cost at not more than $500 ,000,-
/ 600, that sum at seven per cent. interest
would increase the amout ia be raised an
nually by direct taxation to Sl35 900 900.
Pennsylvania, which contains about one.
tenth of the population and wealth of the
Union, would be compelled to pay over
S13,oOo,oO0 annually, in the shape of di-
rect taxes, to the General Government; in
addition to what she pays indirectly on du'
ties on imports, and in addition also to
taxes for the support of the State Govern
ment and the payment of interest on the
State debt.
Taking only dollar and cent view o
the case, we do not believe in the ability
of the General Government to fulfill any
pledge it may make to compensate loya
, masters for the loss Of their slave property
People will begin to ask why they shoul'
be taxed to pay for what they receive n
equivalent, and what contributed to til
, wealth and prosperity of the country.
While this policy of emancipation wOul
depopulate and impoverish the South, an
heap enormous burdens upon the North,
= would at the same time be a relinquisl
ment by the Government Of an importar
object of taxation The Constitution give
to the slave States the three 6fths slay
representation in Congress upon conditio
that in imposing direct taxes, slave prof.
erty shall be rated at its actual value
While slavery remains in the South, it
-, an object of taxation, and could be mac
. defray the expenses of the war-but if Il
: Government undertakes to carry out
general system of emancipation, it woul
. sweep away at one blow some two billion
3 of taxable property, and to that extent d
"a stroy its own resources.
80 The only sensible, rational and econon
ical manner of dealing with this questic
is to have it just where the constitute
-, left ito the control of the individu
- States. The moment the general Cover
OF ment NEEDLES with slavery, it cmbar
:; upon a sea of difficulties and nothi
te better illustrates the wisdom of the frame
10 of the Constitution in reserving to ca
!, State the exclusive power oyer its own d
mestic CONCERNS, than this fact.
Wpnnp Han w