Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-04-23

number Of slaves; the number at the bfst
period being II, bs4, 6hd st the latter, ID, ,624.
This loss, however, Wss a real gain, and fur-
niahed a ray Of hope that the evil had Feach-
ed its climax IN 1850, however, the slaves
again show tendency to increase, especially
Ia Prince GEORGES, while In both counties
the white population made unwonted pro-
greSs. II slavery had been abolished ten
years ago 10 this District, the population Of
the city and Of tho surrounding counties
would RoW be ten per cent greater than II ls
shown 10 be by the census Of 1880.
dismiss &c contemplate any attempt 10
deny, In tho face OF these facts, that the eX-
istense Of slavery fully explains the slow
nrlgress OF Washington Ia wealth and popu-
latiOn during the last seventy years. II fur
ther illustration we're needed, however, Il is
furnished in the parallel growth of the com-
paratively free counties Of Northern Mary
land. Take for instance the folio wing coun-
ties In Western Aarylanu:
Whasi SlB'I Whies S1v's Whissi Sls's.
1870 100 1850 1870 1860 1850
Washington. IL ,4T2 2s6 20 ESQ O9O ESQ ,lS6
Allegnany =. . G,6s9 25s q ,8SS ia 27 os2 600
TOtaI......1sOn OIL 1.SI2 As ,609 asa 58 col 2,lOl
These figures show that where the propor-
tion Of slaves is small the progress in popula-
ton Is rapid; and 1t is further apparent that
the ratio Of increase is inversely to the num-
Der or proportion of slaves. Thus in the
former table, the increase of population in
Montgomery county, where the number Of
whites predominated in 1890, was much
greater than in Prince Georges, where the
slaves oHtnumbered the whites. And Gem
pairing this last table with the preceding, It
is apparent that the advance in the two coun-
ties Of Allegheny and Washington, where
slavery Is merely nominal, has been many
times greater than in Montgomery and Prince
Georges; while ofthe two, Allegheny, with
scarcely one slave to twenty whites, has out
stripped Washington county, which had
nearly one TO ten. Yet stronger illustrations
would be afforded if absolutely free counties
were put In comparison with these slavehold
ing districts around Washington.
Il is therefore demonstrated bevond the
point of plausible denial, that the great mass
Of the people Of this city, who own no slaves,
are deeply interested IN the success of this
measure. If they own houses or vacant lots,
II they carry on trade or sell merchandise, If
they sell books or print newspapers, If they
carry on any branch Of business except those
Of negro trading and negro catching, they
cannot fall to be benefited by the abolition
of slavery,
ofthe moral effects of the measure upon
the country and upon the world, need not
speak. Thai it will elevate us In the eyes of
all civilized nations is not doubted; that It
will awaken q thrill of patriotic pride and
enthusiasm in the great heart Of the nation,
no man doubts. Even the opponents Of eman-
cipstion on this floor have not ventured TO
shock the moral sense Of the House BY an alb
solute defense Of slavery as a thing desirable
In itself. No man has veutured to assert that
/ the measure will be injurious to the general
interests Of the District The respected and
venerable gentleman from Kentucky rSr.
Orittenden did declare that he was no friend
of slavery; that If the adoption of slavery
WAS now an original proposition before the
House, be would vote against It. / rejoice,
cir, at such declarations as those, coming, as
have no doubt they do, from a truly loyal,
patriotic heart; they are the harbinger of
better days for the Republic But, sir, ex-
pect no applause in South Carolina and Mis-
sissippi for the passage Of this bill, and none
from traitors anywhere. It is our duty to
abolish slavery here, because Congress, by the
Constitution, has the power to do it; and
slavery being great wrong and outrage upon
humanity, we should at once do right and
mass this hill