The national Republican., 1862-07-24
Opinions Of MARYLAND siavshoidsrs.

Opinions Of Maryland Dlavshoidsrs.
MzssRs EDrroRs: A the subject Of emanci-
pating the slaves in the border States isnow 30
prominently before ~ country, through The
wlss and affscHooats address Of The President
10 ~ Rspresentativss Of those States, . fact
In ooaneo>ion Win The Stats Of Maryland may
provs lnisfestisg 10 some. ~
In late issue Of your paper, you advertsd
to the action Of Maryland In regard to exclud.
Ing the free oolored people from the State, and
b he oouclusion arrived at, "that Il would be
insrpedIsnt 10 exclude them, because part Of
the State was dependent upon free oolored labor
for the cultivation Of the SOIL" What wish
10 bring to your notice now Is, the question -
% whether Il would Or would not be more TO
the Interest Of The whole State II The whole Of
II were cultivated BY free labor, rather than BY
TO discuss the question o. to whether man
will work better II he is paid for his labor than
be would II be ,oere not, as the statement Of this
question gives but one conclusion; but wish
TO give you what are the opinions Of some Of
the parties Interested In the matter, and the
manner of their expressing those opinions
shall only notice 90 much Of the State as
have heard an opinion expressed Of: that Is q
single county in the southern part Of the State;
and II the other southern counties arc Of the
same opinion, the whole State ought not to re-
qulre much time In solving the question Of ID.
terest.
On one occasion, heard distinguished cit-
lien Of the State giving description Of on ex-
cellent estate which be had Just inherited, and
II there b any power In highly cultivated In
tellect, and any force In q graphic and eloquent
description, be displayed It on that occasion.
he seemed TO mingle the emotions Of gratitude
that be felt for the testator, for such precious
gift, with bis appreciation of the gift itself; and
really person who did not pay 2 due regard
TO the Tenth Commandment would have envieA
him as q man blessed indeed; but to bis great
astonishment, his hearer (snother extensive
owner Of the same class Of property upon which
be had expiated 90 largely told him that hs
had arrived at the conclusion that " free labor
iods the BEST" have never seen more dumb.
founded man than he was, upon hearing such
an opinion from such source. As some time
has elapsed since this conversation transpired,
the gentleman has bad On opportunity Of test.
Ing whether he could realize bis antioipations
or not. Should he see this publication, It may
remind him Of the past, and enable him 10 de-
eide II he was, or was not, mistaken In bis cal.
culations.
Another gentleman, from the same county,
In public place ussdllanguage, (as nearly as
can remember0 as follows, to some Of bis neigh
bors, oil being then In this city: I'M tell
you what my honest opinion is, though don't
like to express It, because It makes fellow
look as If he was q d--d abolitionist! don't
believe any longer In slavery. Free labor is
the best |"
Now Mr.. Editor, this gentleman shows the
weak spot 10 most Southern peoples courage.
While they claim to have physical courage,
they do not all claim to be adequate to free
expression Of an honest, intelligent opinion
upon this subject, for fear II might conflict
with the opinion Of distinguished Mr.. A. B. ;
and unfortunately the subject OF slavery Is the
forbidden subject Of the South, and conse-
quently too many keep their opinions 10 them
selves on that subject, at q time that they
would express them freely upon any other. The
times demand freedom Of expression and action,
and II there 10 any man who thinks he can
more delicately, affectionately, or wisely, call
Americans to reflection and conclusions on this
subject, than Mr.. Lincoln has, let him try.