Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-05-09
The Progress of Freedom.

The first fruits of the Presidents PROPOSE
ton to aid the states in cmancipating their
slaves, already begin to appear. la the last
legislature of Delaware a resolution offering
emancipation on condition OF assistance from
Congress was voted down by a considerable
majority; yet the next election will, in all
probability, turn on that question alone and
Che friends of Freedom in the state expect to
gain the victory. An effort is making to
unite the members Of the Republicans Union
and Douglas Democrat parties for the sup
port Of a state ticket which shall carry en-
ancipation with Congressional aid after the
plan of Mr.. Lincoln. Judge Fisher, the
present member Of Congress, is spoken Of as
the emancipation candidate for Governor !;
and with him to head the ticket, and the
question squarcly put before the people. there
is every reason to believe that Delaware may
declare for Freedom at her next election, in
November.
In Missouri, too, the emaneipationists are
active and hopeful OF success. We hear that
number of the most respectable men in the
state viii " take the stump on this ques-
tion during the coming summer and autumn.
We print on our first page to-day extracts
from letter by Mr.. b Gratz Brown and
speech by Mr.. Charles d. Drake, two of the
most esteemed citizens Of Missouri, on the
subject Mr. brakes address was delivered
on the 14th Of April, before the St. Louis
Mercantile Library Association. lie says,
that q to provide in some well considered,
equitable and gradual way for the eventual
removal OF slavery from our son. would do
more than all other things to lift Missouri
speedily out Of her present unhappy condi-
ton, and start her forward 10 fresh and
higher career of prosperity
Nr Brown, in his letter to the st. Joseph
Nc,c Era, urges that to save Missouri from
financial ruin slavery must be abolished , and
adds, what experience has proved, that il
the people now declare for ireei1m, the few
slaves who remain in the state (lRe-h&lf har
lag already disappeared since the rebellion
brokc OUT would quickly le taken from the
state, and that would become Tree alta tritlIug
cost. As Mr. Brown believes II to the in
tercst of his state to become free h. means
to urge Freedom upon the people. II says
" Like all other great reforms that spring
frsm the popular heart, tins too must depend
in a great measure upon inces-ant agitation.
| do not hesitate II confess myself an asl-
taior in this behalf and intend 10 continue
ar agitator, # life be spared me, until Mis-
souri, takes her stand amid the free states VI
the great West He VIII not be alone in
the work
Blu, not only in Missouri and Delaware
in aryland aud Virginia, too, the spirit Of
liberty is abroad, and the people ar moving
towards ffcelon. In Maryland the sllSe-
holders have one adsanttge, emaueiptti II
cannot be decrecl without change ia the
state constitution. Bat the emanetpation-
lists hope to 1t ey this, and i tacy should
fail, there is no doubt that even IN equal
taxation on the slave property i'll the -tlte
will make slavery 50 Improbable as - drive
it from the state At prcseut, We t"!c'c,
slaves cannot be ttNed Ell higher value than
three hundred dollars, AMI tie s.Irehoiiers
escape. therefore, tlleT just scare Of The bur
d.ns of taxation. THIS once changed, as II
mus. be, and a serious blow Is struck at
slavery in Maryland. Ii Is but tcw months
ago since New Yorker trayeiin. in Eastern
MARYLAND. asked why certain ambitious pol
iticians did not take the lead in an cmtnci-
patton movement. L. VAS replied, that 10
do so would be to ruin their prospects Of pre-
ferment. Already this is changed, and be-
fore the next state election the best men OF
che state will b. found in the front Of an
emancipation party.
rs for Virginia, the following extra from
the Wei!sbur.h (Nal H"aH, commenting
on tn. recent vote on the constitute m, tells
u story of progress which IS not less aston
ishias than hopeful
a.. Was there ever a greater revolution Ia
public sentiment, than has been wrought IN
the public mind Of Western Virginia during
the last very few months on this very Sub
iect? The late election tells the tale. In
counties where. eighteen months ag1, the
venerable RufFncr was treated with contune
ly and insult for having years before been the
author of pamphlet advocating gradual
emancipation, the people alter one year tu-
ition in the rough school Of war endorse hi-
views BY vote which is wonderful for its
unanImity. In counties whcrc, few months
ago, to question the divinity Of slavery was
to count at least political martyrdom, the
soyercigns have voted Que hundred 10 one
70 rid Of the institution. When the OIL
fetal vote of last Thursday comes 70 be pub
.ished. those who have doubted the liberal
ling effect of the war upon the minds of the
people on this subject viii be astounded.-
Preston rolls up her 800 majority for free
state; Wood her 800 TO Is MonongalIa,
Marshall, Wetzel, Tyler, Harrison, the home
Of Garlic. and Marion, the den Oi the Hay
mopds, the Nelson's. and OF more traitors
than any othsr county Of equal population
can boast, all uniformly give tremend aus ma
iorities for the new constitution, and, where
a vote was taken, for gradual emancipation.
Verify, slavery is doomed in Wesi irginia
from the date OF that vote, and unless the
educat, nary process be quickly stopped, 1t
will no, be long before the Valley, Piedmont
and Tide Water will experience the same
-Eccaag Post.