Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-12-13

quent petitions to Congress L believe II has
never presented the presence Of free col.
ored persons as one fits grievances.
But why should emancipation South
send the freed people North People Of
any color seldom run unless there be some.
thing to run from. Here before, colorod
people, to some extent, have sed North
from bondage, and now, perhaps
from both bondage and destitution,
but if gradual emancipation and doporta.
ton be adopted, they will have neither to
fec from.
Their old masters will give them wages
at least until new, laborcrs can be pro.
cured, and the freed men in turn will
gladly give their labor for the wages, till
new homes can be found for them in con
genial clmos, and with people of their
own blood and race.
This proposition can be trusted on the
mutual interest involved aud in any
event, cannot the North decide for itself
whether to receive them
Again as practice proves more than
theory, in any case, has there been
any irruption of colored people north.
ward because of the aboishment Of
slavery in this District last Spring!
What have said of the proportion
of free colored persons TO the whites,
in the District, is from the Census Of
1860, having no reference to persons
called contrabands, nor to those made
free by the act of Congress abolishing
slavery here.
The plan cosisting of these articles
is recommended, not but that restoration
Of the national authority wonld be ac-
cepted without its adoption nor will
the war nor proceedings under the
proclamation of September 22d, 1862
be stayed because of the recommendation
of this plan. Its timely adoption,
doubt not, would bring restoration, and
thereby stay both.
And Notwithstanding this plan, the
recommendation that Congress provide
! by law for compensation any State
which may adopt emancipation before
this plan shall have been acted upon,
is hereby earnestly renewed. Such
would be only an advance of the plan,
and the same arguments apply to both.
THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS PLAN.
This plan is recommended as a means
not in exclusion of, but additional to, all
others for restoring and preserving the
national authority, throughout the Union.
The subject is presented exclusively in
its economical aspect.
The plan would, am confident, Sc.
cure peace more speedily and maintain
it moro permanently than can be done
by force alone, while all it would cost,
considering amounts and manner of
payment, and times of payment, would
be easier paid than will be the additional
cost of the war, if we rely solely upon
force. 1t is much, very much, that it
would cost no blood at all.
The plan is proposed, as permanent
Constitutional law. 1t cannot become
such without the concurrency, OF first,
two thirds of Congress, and afterwards,
three fourths Of the States will necess-
arily include seven ofth Slave States.
Their concurrence, if obtained, will
give assurance of their severally adopt,
ing emancipation at no very distant day
upon the new constitutional terms
This assurance would end the struggle
now, and save the Union forever.
do not forget the gravity which
should characterize paper addressed to
the Congress of the nation by the Chief
Magistrate Of the nation. Nor do for
get that s7me of you are my seniors
nor that many ofyou have more expert
euce than | in the condnct of public
affairs. Yet trust that in view of the
great responsibility resting upon me,
you will perceive no want of respect to
yourselves in any undue earnestness I
may seem to desplay. 1t is doubted,
then, that the plan propose, if adopted,
would shorten the war, and TINS lesson
its expenditure Of money and of blool
Is it doubted that it would restore the
National authority and National pros
perity, and perpetuate both indefinitely!
Is it doubted that we here, Congress
and Executive can secure its adoption
Win not the good people respond to
united and earnest appeal from us?
Can we, can they, by any other means
so certainly or so speedily assure these
vital objects We can succeed only by
concert. 1t is not "Can any OF us i'm.
aolne DetleI DuI Van we all 90 Det-I
teri"
Object, whatsoever is possible; ; stil
the question recurs, "Can we do better ?"
The dogmas Of the quiet past arc
inadequate to the storm present. The
occasion is piled high with difficulty,
and we must rise with the OCCASION
AS our ease is new, so we must think
anew and act anew. We must olsen
thrill ourselves, and then we shall save
our country.
Fellow>Citizens We cannot escape
history, We, of this Congress- and this
Administration, will be remembered, in
spite Of ourselves. No personal signif
canoe or insignificance, can spare one or
another of us. The fiery trial through
which we pass will light us down in
honor or dishonor, to the latest genera
| tion.
We say "We are for the Union"
The world will not forget that we say