, 1862-12-20

must largely attend immediate emancipation in
localities where the adverse circumstances are
very great 1t gives assurance that their poster
ity shall be forever free.
The plan leaves to each State choosing to abol-
ish slavery now or at the end of the century, at
any intermediate time, or by degrees extending
over the whole or any part of that period, and it
obliges no two States to proceed alike. 1t also
provides for compensation and generally the
mode of taking. This would seem to further
mitigate the dissatisfaction of those who favor
perpetual slavery, and especially those who are
to receive compensation. Doubtless some OF
those who pay and not to receive will object, yet
that the measure is both Just and economical, is
certain-the liberation of the slaves is the de-
struction Of property acquired by descent and by
purchase, the same as any other property. 1t is
no less true. for having been often said that the
people of the south are no more responsible for
the introduction of this property than are the
people of the north, and when it is remembered
how unhesitatingly we use cotton and sugar, and
share the profits of dealers in them, it may not
be quite safe to say the south has been more re-
sponsible, than the north for its continuance.
If the stakeholder objects that his property is
to be sacrificed, is it not Just that it be done at
common charge, and if not less money or money
now easily paid, we can preserve the benefits OF
the war alone is it not economical to do it P Then
let us ascertain the sum we have expended IN the
war since compensated emancipation was pro-
posed last March, and consider whether if the
measure had been promptly accepted IN some OF
the slave States, the same sum would not have
done more to close the war than has been other
wise done. If So the measure would save money,
and in that view would be prudent and econom-
ical measure Certainly it is not so easy to pay
something as it is to pay nothing, but it is easier
TO pay large sum than to pay larger one, and
it is easier to pay it while we are able.
The aggregate necessary for compensated
emancipation, of course would be large, but 1t
would require no ready cash, nor the issue of
bonds any faster than emancipation progressed,
and these might not close before the end of the
thirty-seven wears. At that time we should prob
ably have one hundred millions of people to
share the burden, instead of thirty-one millions
as now, and not only so, but the increase OF our
population may be expected to continue tor
long time after that period as rapidly as before,
because our territories will not have become full.
l do not state this inconsiderately at the same
ratio of increase which we have maintained on an
average from 1890 to 1860, we should, in 1900,
have population of 103,20S,415, and why may
we not continue that ratio far beyond that period,
with our abundant room Were our territory as
limited the British Isles, certainly our popua-
ton could not expand as stated. We have 2663,-
600 of square miles; Europe has $4,000, with
a population averaging Is ID persons to the
square mile. And why may not our country, at
some time, average as many? Is it less fertile !?
Has it more waste surface by mountains, rivers
lakes, deserts and other causes Is it inferior to
Europe in any natural advantages If not, then
we are at some time to be as populous as Europe.
When this NAV be- we may Judge by the past and
present; but much depends on whether we main
tain the Union. Several of our States are above
the average of European population of 73 IL to
the square mile.
Massachusetts has 157, Rhode Island 1913, New
York and Jersey, each so. Two other States
Pennsylvania and Ohio, are not far below, the
former having 63 and the latter SO. The States
already above the European average, except New
York, increased in rapid a ratio since the pas
sing of that point, as ever before, while not one of
them is equal 10 some other parts of our country
in natural capacity. In the aggregate we find its
population and ratios of increase for several de-
cennial periods, as follows;