The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-12-12

h.ne,ns wages to white labor is mathematically (
certain. Labor is like any other commodity IN the
markets increase the demand for it and you increase
the price Of it, Kseuse Inc sppy % o. ,Ss
and by precisely so much you increase the demand
for wages of white labor. t
But It is dreaded that the freed people will swarm
for tn and cover the whole land. Will liberation |
make them any more numerous f;qualIy als'rou,
ted among the states OF the whole country, and |
there would be but colored to seven whites.
Could one in any way greatly disturb the seven3
There are many communities having more
tn an one free colored person to seven whites ana
this without any apparent evh from II. Inc Dis,
trict of Columbia and the States Of Maryland and
Delaware are all in this condition. The District
has more than one free cooied to six whites, and
vet in its frequent petitions to Congress believe
il has never presented the presence Of free coored
ne, sons as one of its grievances.
But why should emancipation South send the
freed people North People OF any color seldom
run less there be something to run from. Here
tofoIe, enslaved people, 10 some extent, have ned
North from bondage, and now, perhaps, from 6oth
honda ge and destituton, but if gradual emancipa-
tion and depor tatIon be adopted, they VIII nave
neither to fee from.
Their old masters will give them wages at least
until new hands can be procured, anc the freed men
ia turn, will gladly give their labor for wages TN
new homes can be procured for them in consenial
climates, and with people oi their own blood and
race. This proposition can be trusted on the mutu-
al interests involved, and, any event, cannot the
Nor th decide for itself whether to receive them
Again, as practice proves more than theory, IN
any ease. has there been any irruption OF coored
people Northward because of the abolisSment of
slavery in the District last springi What have
said of the proportion OF free coo-ed persons to the
Whites in the District, is iiom the census of 1860,
having no reference to the persons called contra
bands or those made py the act OF Congress abol-
ishing slavery here.
The plan consisting of these articles is recon-
mended, not but that restoration of the national
authority would be accepted without its adoption;
nor will the proceedings under the procla-
nation of Sepr. 22 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 recommends
| tion that Congress provides by law for compensa-
| ting any State which may adopt emancipation be-
fore this plan shall have been acted upon is hereby
earnest iy renewed. Such would be only an advance
mart Of the pIan, and the same arguments apply to
| both. This plan is recommended means, not
in exclusion Of but additional TO all others for re-
| storing and preserving tbe national authority
throu bout the Union. The subject is presented
| exclusively IN its economical aspect.
| The plan you'd, am confident, secure peace
more speedily and maintain it more permanently
tbaa can be done by force alone, while the entire
cost, considering amounts andsmanner of payment,
wo uld be easier paid than will be the additional
co ST of the war, If rely solely upon force. 1t
is most likely that it would cost no blood at all.
The plan is proposed as permanent constitutional!
| law. 1t cannot become such without the concur
renee OF, first, two-ttirds of Congress, and after
wards, three-fourtbs of the States The requisite
three-fourths of the States will necessarily include
| seven of the slave states. Their concurrence, if
obtained, will give assurance OF tLeir seyerallY a.
| doptng emancipation at no very distant day upon
the ne W constitutional terms. This assurance would
end the struggle now, and save the Union forever.
| | do not forget the gravity which should :harac-
terze paper addressed to the Congress of the ma
tion by the Chief Magistrate of the nation Nor
do forget that some of you are my seniors; nor
| that many of you have more experience than in
the conduct of public affairs, trust that in view
of the great responsibility resGng upon me, you
will perceive no want of respect to yourselves in
any undue earnestness may seem to display.
Is il doubted that the plan propose, if adopted,
wonld shorten the war, and thus lessen its exper-
! dture of money and of blood.
Is it doubted that 1t would restore the national
authority and national prosperity, and perpetuate
both r~op.vrv0Punu unItsu and
earnest appeal from US -
Ian we' can they, by any other means, so cer-
ainly or so speedily assure hesa vita obiects3 We
can succeed only by concert Ii is not scan sny of
US imagine better 2" but scan we all do better 7"
tits no object, whatsoever is possible /: still the
| question recurs, scan We all do better ?''
Ihe dssmas OF the quiet past inadequate to
me stormy present. The occasion is piled high with
dinculty, and we must rise high with the OCCASION
AS our case is new, SO we must think anew and act
anew. We must dsenthra ourselves and then we
shall save the country.
FefioD Citizens. We canuot escape history. We.
Of this Congress and this Administrat ion, will be
remembered, in spite of ourselves. No personal
slsnlheance or insignfcance can spare one or a n
other of US. The fiery trial through which we pass
Will light us down to honor or dishonor-to the la
test generation.
We say "We are for the Union" The world
Will not forget that We say this. We know how to
save this Union. The world knows we know how
to save it. We-even we here-hold the power and
bear the responsibility
In giving freedom to the slaves we assure free
dom to the free-bonorable alike in what we give
ana what we preserve-we shall nobly save or mean
ly lose the last best hope of earth. Other me ans
may succeed-this cannot fail.
The way Is plain, peaceful. generous, ust--a wa,
and God must forever bless.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN