Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-04-23
MARYLAND AND EMANCIPATION.
The Views of a Loyal Journal of slavehold.
ing State
From the Fred erick (Mdl Examiner of April 2nd.
The Rahallion and Slavarv

Quite sensation was occasioned in this
community last week, when the intelligence
reached here that number of contraband
slaves, the property of Virginia rebels, had
passed through Maryland, under military
escort on their way 10 Philadelphia. 1t was
looked upon as practical illustration of the
effect of the Rebellion upon the institution of
Slavery. No one appeared to know what was
to be done with these contrabands but the
conviction was universal that they would new
er again be reduced to the condition of Slaves
The solution of the sscontraband'' problem be-
came manifest in their transfer to a non- slave
holding State.
Undoubtedly, the war for the Union is not
undertaken for the purpose of abolishing
slavery but who imagines that rebels in
arms against the government have right to
protection for their slave property, under the
laws or from the armies of that government 2
Loyal shareholders have "A right to the pro-
lection of the laws, and they will receive it !;
but traitors forfeit the claim.
So far as we have yet Eeen able to discover,
the whole scope of the clamor for "Southreu
Rights, raised by the traitors who inaugural
ell the rebellion under the preteXt Of defend
ing those rights, comprehended the extension
of Slavery to the Territories, and geograph-
ical discrimination of interests, in which the
Slave States should at least have an equality
of Representation in the federal Congress,
with that of the Free States, without reference
to number of population. The policy of the
United States, domestic and foreign, had been
so long dictated by the slave holding States,
under the wiles and influence of the corrupt
democracy, that they could not see the scep-
ter of power depart, without rcbelling against
the equal laws and free institutions Of the Re-
public. The absurd and monstrous doctrine,
that in virtue OF the Federal Constitution
slavery is the normal law of the Territories, is
exploded notwithstanding the Interpretation
placed upon the Dred Scott decision by the
corrupt democracy; while the theory, that the
majority should not rule lest at any time it
might be tempted to invade the rights and
franchises of the minority is anti-democraric ic
and subversive of the principles of popular
government. No change has been made, or
proposed, in the fundamental law of the land,
to diminish or impair the Constitutional guar
antees, which were formerly held to be suffi-
cient for every interest, nclud ng Slavery in
States where it exists and ii follows, that the
pretext Of ssSoutherD Rights was no real or
Just cause tor the present rebellion. Never
theless, this pretext was advanced by the rebel
politicians to cover their misguided followers,
until, in the midst of the ruin and carnage
they wantonly brought about, it is at length
apparent that they have wrought the destruc-
tion of the 'sdomestlc institution they propos-
ed to defend by their uncalled for and baneful
championships.
The market value of slaves in Maryland has
deprecated seventy-fve per cent since the
breaking out of the Rebellion, and it is idle
to suppose, if the war could end this day,
with all the legal rights Of shareholders pre-
served in their integrity, that the value of this
species of property would be enhanced in the
present generation. On the contrary, there
is every reason to believe, that the deteriora-
tion in their value is permanent and that the
owners have been actually robbed of three
fonrths of their negro property by the Rebels.
~
column, well remarks that at the conclusion Of
the war, the remaining slaves in this State
will speedily be disposed of, at sale or by
and the institution practically
abolished. What thinking man doubts that |
this will be the result; or who, but reck less
politician with no slave property at stake, can |
hesitate to accept the compensation, recon- |
mended by the President.
The only objections, offered with a show of |
reason or probability, to the Presidents poll |
cy, are: First; the loss of Slave labor would |
seriously derange the operations of agricul- |
tire, and impair that great interest Second |
ly; that no proposition being made for the |
removal or colonization of emancipated slaves |
they would become an intolerable burden on |
the State. Let us consider these objections. |
The proposition is for gradual emancipation
not sudden and complete abolition of slave |
ry. The distinction is wide and radical; and |
it can not be denied, that upon the adoption |
of such policy by this State, the immigration |
of white labor would more than compensate |
for the aggregate loss of slaves, and by its su- |
perior industry prove economical advan- |
tage, as it has ever been elsewhere, to the /
agricultural interest. Indeed, whether this /
policy be adopted or not, the impression is /
rapidly gaining ground, that upon the cessa- /
tion of this war, the tide of immigration will |
pour into the Border Slave holding States, |
and the irresistable competition of free labor |
y H. a.
as political power, this new element of our
population will overthrow the institution of
slavery altogether. There is nc doubt that
the sudden abolition of slavery would materi-
ally derange farming operations in Maryland
but this evil is only to be apprehended, from
the extensive stampede to Pennsylvania and
sale to the south of slaves which will assured
y take place when the war is ended, unless
some provision be made for the emergency
beforehand.
By the Eighth Census, taken in June 1860,
here were 81 1873 slaves in this State. Since
our political troubles began, it is computed,
hat the number has been reduced about ten
thousand. OF these vast majority have been
'old or sent south for safety; or taken out OF
he State by emigrating rebels ;while the resi-
lue have escaped into the free States and are
lot considered worth the trouble and expense
IF recovering; so that the number of slave
,olders in the State must be considerably di-
Again OF the 46 $40 inhabitants of Freder-
ok county at the recent census 4 ,972 were
rec colored, and 8 3.243 slaves. The assessed
'alue of the slaves did not exceed half mil
ion of dollars; the county tax upon which
vas less than fifteen hundred dollars, reven-
ie wholly inadequate to the expense of enfor-
,ing the laws for the protection of slave prop
,Tty so that It is demonstrable, that Slavery
> positive burden upon the people of Fred
rick county |