Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-04
Emancipation.

We commend to the public the able criticism
In this mornings InteHigtHeer upon the strange
speech delivered on Wednesday last by Senator
Sherman, upon the pending proposition to eDan-
cipate the slaves in the District OF Columbia
In view Of that journals thorough exposure Of
the iEccngrulties of Dir. SIS speech and the cur
rent pressure upon the Stars space, we will con.
tent ourself with simply remarkiBg that the
effort in question was very lame apology on
its authors part for doing what he evidently felt
10 he cruel and unstsissWanlike Injustice TO the
citizens Of this District In order to pTopitiate the
abolition continent of portion Of his own con-
shluents, while avOwing and justifying the
prejsdces Of the latter sgains. the policy he was
sustaining as applicable TO themselves-that of
enforcing negro equality upon white men.
We confess that Nh. sherman Is among the
last Senators of his party from whom we should
lcok for speeches In favor Of an ultra abolition
measure. The fact that he, too, has taken coca
Zion to mount the abolition hobby In this case,
satisfies US that the prospect for the defeat Of the
bill in the House, is slight indeed. Under these
circumstances, we take II for granted that those
among us owning negroes worth more than $3.50
which 10 proposed TO he paid for them from the
u. :. Treasury, will lose no time in exercising
their undisputed legal right to place them be-
ycnd the reach OF Congress. In every northern
State that has abolished slavery, at least nine
tenths OF those worth more than the amount
allowed for them in so doing, that course was
pursued. This is the only defence now left to
the shareholders OF this District az sinst the acts
Of those who are legislating to deprive them of
their property without a fair equivalent, merely
that they may strengthen themselves individual
ly with abolition sentiment at home.
With reference to the effects Of the enactment
Of the proposed law, we have to say that II will
throw on the treasury of the United States the
expense Of paying $500 for each slave In the
District not valued by his or her owner at $3.50
As every such negro Is incapable Of providing
for his or her own wsnts, II will throw upon the
citizens and other taxpayers of the District the
burden which the well-abused black coden
now rests on the owners OF such elaves-the obli-
CATION Of supporting them-numbering about
l5O0 in all. Ii will also, by aiding to create the
impression that Congress hereafter designs legis-
lating to force free negro equality and free negro
support and sustenance upon the white popula-
ten Of this District, bring hlther within the next
year population Of between so 600 and 100, coo
negroes liberated by the natural contingencies Of
the war. In 20 doing 1t will generate here at
least the state Of feeling the part of our fellow
citizens towards negroes as class, existing in
Ohio, according TO Senator Sherman, and 90 EN-.
der their future condition here far worse than
their present condition with slavery existing
among Us.
In a national point Of view, 10 will stimu-
late abolitionism to renewed exeytions against
slavery In the States, and thus In fact az well as
In name, postPoning peace between the sections 1t
viii cost the national treasury hundreds Of mil
lions more than IL Congress should seek TO satisfy
the masses Of the South that 10 is not the purpose
Of the Government 10 interfere with slavery In the
srates.
All these evils are 10 be encountered through
the enactment Of this proposed law, only that
Individual Senators and Representatives may
render Themselves more popular with absiitionism
Al home, and thus continue In public life
While we entertain these views with reference
&c the ultimate effect Of the enactment Of the bill
In question, we are free 10 confess that we by no
means regret the certainty that slavery is no lon
ger to be powerful element In the politics Of the
country as heretofore, which 10 TO be one of the
grand results Of the war. The suffering, misery
and expense Of the wal upon the country, North,
south, East ard West, has radically cured us at
least, Of ali sympathy with pro-slavery politics.
So we shall hail with joy the advent of the day
when IL becomes simply the industrial element
Of our sfairs Ii should be, of almost incsculable
Pecunisry value 10 the industry Of the hole coun
try. When tba; day arrives, Its twin disturber
of the public peace, the other American political
element that ha, done quite as much TO make the
war and its consequences-sbolition demagogue-
lsm-will die natural death Of course
Wetheretore deeply regret that the Senator's and
Representatives Of the border States failed to vote
en- masse fer the Presidents resolution offering the
aid ofthe general Government to States that NAV
oedispoSed to adopt an enlightened system Of
gradual emancipation embracing plan Of negro
colonization. We regard that a. most important
In guaranteeing hat we shall not hereafter have
another civil sectional war, and believe that in
due time all the border States viii gladly adopt
the policy, from which they will profit enormous.
ly, pecuniarily and individually.
III Something satisfactory Ia the musical way
h. 80 for in sha eonn..,. A. -.