St. Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1845-1863, 1862-04-03
Franz the H,ashiagton Star.

DlL1s ~ EMANSItAlE lnh
SLAVES IN THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA SHOULD NOT PASS.
1st The measure is not asked for BY
the owners, who ar, the principal par
ties.
ID. II is not asked for by the general
people of the District. iF
81. No evidence exists that Il is asked
f,r or really desired by the Slaves thcm-
selves. if unincised thereto BY the origina-
tors Of the measure.
4th. 1t appears to be urged on par
~ and sectional grounds alone, in the
face Of the misery aud desolatian which che
Indulgence of party aud sectional passions
has already produced. azr t
9th. There is 10 necessity for the isea-
sure at this precise time. any more thar
FIR The last aix,y years especially a. all
the grnsscst features Of slavery were re-
moved from the District BY the Legislation
Of 1850. - "a. ....
9th If the proposition to enact such
measure is not purpossly designed b
frus,rate a restoration If the Union. ],
is exactly adapted to thst end. since ],
will supply the rebel leaders with come
Of that proof of their accusations against
the government "f the United States
which they have hitherto so much need.
ed. The lassagc of ,u,h bill will be
playing directly into rebel hands. whilst
it will emhaIrass .he friends If the un-
ion throughout the loyal border States,
snd the Whole South; aud. by arousing
new doubts in their Einds. will para
lize then efforts. and thus indefinitely
protract bloody and expcnsiv. civil
war. If there is che thing in the world
clearer than all the rest it is that nrw
agitations ON the slavery question should
have been held in abcyance till after the
war, SO that the war could have been
prosecuted without distraction by all ths
loyal people of the country. Ths
course that is now pursued is caleula'
ted to rc~uGitc the South aud divide the
North.
7th. The attempt to pass this in I
hurry at this juncture il suggestive o
the doubts of its advocates If it coult
be passed when both sides Of the ques
ton could he more fully aud fairly rep
resented. 1t locks like an attempt I.
take snap-judgmcnt iu the absence Of on,
party.
9Th. The attempt to abolish slavery
here without the previous concurrence o
Maryland, will be considered an &C: o
bad faith. the terms Of the cession o
the territory of the District having beer
always understood to comprise the con
sent of Maryland to any act Of aboli
ton.
9th. The proposed compensation il
manifestly inadequate. and in many ca
ses would reach only to . half or .
quarter of the value of the property pre-
posed to be surrendered. Numercu.
widows. orphans. and aged and helpless
persons of both sexes who have been
left dependent on the wages of servants,
would in great measure be deprived eI
the means Of subsistence.
10th. The compensation proper to be
paid in each case can be ascertained only
by an actual appraisement Of the property
in question.
IL. The present statue of slavery In
this District was determined by the SOL
emn compromise of 1850. in which the
loyal bord,r States have still an equita.
BILE interest. 1t becomes the people Of
the free and slave States to respect sad ad-
here to chat settlement in . faithful and
loyal spirit.
18th. The standard bearer Of the re-
publican party announced priUr to the
last presidential elecfioo th.s sknu-k h,.
party claimed the power Of aboliahins
slavery in this Dis.ric. IS . bare con-
sti,utional right. yet that they did no,
intend to avail themselves of that pow
er. The following extract from the speech
of Mir. Lincoln at Quincy. H.. is found
in Follett & Fosters edition Of Political
Debates. page 1877. II will chow tsaas
consistency and good faith should ns-
strain the party now in power from vi.,-
la,ing principles. the profession Of which
gave them power: y -
Il surI,re," said Mr. Lincoln, ..that