Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-25

Practical Plan for the Abolition Of Slavery.
An English paper states that the follow
ing letter, from James Bridges, dated Edin-
burg, January 2s, embodying DR.. Chal-
mers's plan for the abolition Of slavery, has
Just been sent to Lord Brougham:
NY LoRD-On nv way from the North in
ls4l passed some delightful hours with DR..
Chalmers in his retreat at Burntisland, roam
ing over the links and rocks Of that piotur
esque neighborhood, in the course of which,
talking Of scheme for the abolition OF
church patronage by means Of an act for
enabling the people of any parish to buy up
their patronage, and leaving IL there, SO
that those who proved themselves worthy Of
| the right, by making a sacrifice for it, might
have an opportunity of so doing. n''Oh, my
| dear sir," said the Doctor, 'that reminds me
of my plan for abolishing slavery in our col
onies, which proposed to the Government.
proposed to them to buy up one day in the
week of the labor Of the slaves, and spend
no more money upon them. All the slaves
thus were to have one day for themselves,
to be employed in any way they pleased.
Some, of course, would be idle that day, and
some would drink. Bus some would work
and earn wages on that day and as these
were the well-to. do slaves, and would be
husbanding their wages, | proposed that it
should be lawful for them to buy up another
day from their masters for themselves, so
that they should become owners Of two days
| in the week in the process of time.
"'Well, having two days, l thought 1t
would be comparatively easy for them TO go
on buying day after day, till they had all
the week-in other words, were their own
masters.
1 never thought they should be com.
PEELED to buy more than six days, for re.
garded the Sabbath as already theirs, and
not their masters.
"T considered that this scheme would &C.
complish many objects besides. 1t would
cause no violent wrench on existing arrange
meDts; it would be no sudden revolution
on the contrary, it would leave things as
they were, excepting the one day for which
the masters were paid. The idle slaves
would continue slaves and their masters
would have their labor free five days in the
week; and with regard to the Others, the
well to-do slaves, they would, of course
| continue laborers all the week, and so the
| fields would be well worked TIL they haG
| achieved their emancipation.
"'There would have been no need on my
plan of the purgatorial apprenticeship scheme
that was found necessary on the instan
emancipation plan. The gradual process o
buyingup themselves by means of continued
lubOE hOulu nave SdN6u Juht anu IL WOule
have been capital way of preparing then
tor liberty, and fitting them for enjoying it
| privileges. That was my proposal
"'Well, sir, it was most admirable. Wha
was the answer of the Government
"'Oh, the answer was, that it was mucl
too expensive; it would cost FIVE or six mil
lionsl And the end was, that in few year
they gave twenty millions for not so good
| thing
Nov, my lord, l have addressed this let
ter TO your lordship at this crisis, because
seems to afford the only practical scheme o
| peaceful emancipation possible. DR.. Chal
mer's common sense was as conspicuous q
| bis genius; and as this is eminently the cas-
also with the distinguished persons whom
address, feel sure that your lordship will
appreciate duly his scheme. l am led Il
address your lordship, not only by the emf
nent, distinguished. and loDg-continued per
severiDg services which you have done to tn
cause of emancipation, but by the conviction
that you are the only man whose voice ha
any chance of being listened to in Americ
in the midst of the present convulsions. Th
| people of Boston, observe, have referred Il
| you at this time and your lordship has giveI
them good advice.
II hope your lordship will not only pardon
the liberty take, but make your powerful
voice be heard at this time, when America
and every good cause, is threatened witt
danger"