Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-18
Emancipation OF slavery I'm the DIS
trict OF Column bia.

The President has signed the bill providing for
the emancipation of the slaves in the District Of
Columbia, and il has become law of the land
This measure was uncalled for in the present
crisis Of our public Affairs. and is an act Of bad
faith on the part of the party in power. II will
not be forgotten that the Republicans everywhere
announced during the Presidential canvass of
1850 that il not their intention to interfere
with slavery where it existed. but only prevent
it, farther extension. A year ago by solemn
resolution the Republican Representatives in
Congress with few exceptions reafiirmed this
position. How has this pledge been keptg
Ii Is violated in spirit by the act
abolishing slavery in the District of
Columbia. In the celebrated debate between
DoueLas and LINCOLN at Freeport. Illinois, in
l55o. in response TO an inquiry of the former
whether he pledged to the abolition of
slavery in the District of Columbia" the latter
responded "a follows: CAS- a member of Con-
gress, ] should not. with my present views. be in
favor of eHdeauoring to abolish slavery in the
District of Columbia, unless il would be upon
these conditions: FIRST. That the abolition should
Il
of the majority of qualified voters in the District;
and, Third, That compensation should be made
to unwilling owners"
Only one of these conditions is embraced in
the bill approved by the President for the aboi-
ton of slavery in the District of Columbia, viz,
compensation to unwilling owners The aboli-
ton is gradual. but immediate; and the con-
sent of the people of the District is not taken
into consideration. Yet Mr.. LINCOLN cordially
approves q measure with features which, less
than four years ago. his calm and deliberate
judgment pronounced unfair and injurious to
both master and -,aveslf the President and the
Republican members of Congress csu thus VIC
late their solemn pledges to the country in one
instance what confidence can be placed in any
that they have or may maker The recent legis-
lation of Congress seems. in the language OF
Mr.. LINCOLN. to be Gin favor of endeauoring' to
TO make two hostile nations of what should be a
united and prosperous government.
Z The following is careful synopsis of the law
Section declares that all persons in the
District of Columbia. held to service or labor by
reason of African descent, are freed of and from
all such claim, and that slavery shall not hereaf-
ter exist in the District
Section two authorizes all loyal masters to
present. within ninety days. statements OF the
names. age. value. &c of the slaves freed by this
act.
Section three authorizes the President To ap-
point three Commissioners to determine the val ue
OF the claims presented, and make awards: t pro.
vIdes that the entire sum appraised and apportion-
Ell shall not exceed an average of $500 for each
slavein the District
Section four directs the Commissioners to re-
port within nine months To the Secretary of the
Treasury who Is directed to pay ovee the amount
awarded, aud IN case of conflicting claims. II Is
provided for their al Indication by equity proceed
ings in the Circuit Court of the District of Co
Iumbis
Sections five and six regulate the meetings OF
the Commissioners their mode OF procedure aud
provides that their compensation shall be 81 ,OO0
each.
Section appropriates million Of dol
lars 10 pay for The negroes set free.
Section eight Furnishes with Imprisonment any
person who shall take negroes of the District
with the intent of enslaving them.
Sections nine and ten provide thai the Clerk OF
the Circuit Court of the District shall keep reg
ister OF persons freed by The act ard issue certl-
hcates OF freedom to each person 50 freel. the
payment OF twenty five cents therefor
Seton eleven approprntes 800 400, 10 be ex-
pended under the direction OF the President to
ard in tile colonization and settlement OF sucl
free persons OF African descent nav residing IN
said District. including those to be- liberated b,
this act. as may desire 70 emigrate Co the Repub
lies OF Hayti or Liberia. or such other cOuntr,
beyond the limits OF the United States rs tn,
President may determine.
Section twelve repeats all laws. Sfate and Fed
eral, and all city ordinances of Georgetown ant
Washington. inconsistent with the ect
The President names as Commissioners unde
the law J r. GoonLoE, $ +. VINroN and JANE
; BENNETT.