Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-28
SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA

The bill for abolishing slavery in the Dis
triot Of Columbia still bangs fire IN Con-
gress-why, it is not easy to see on any very
satisfactory grounds. Probably If any one
were to ask member of Congress why,
the reply would refer to the peculiar rules
Of Congress for doing busIness-or rather, as
is often said, rules for hindering business from
being done. We have heard that complaint
for as long almost as we can remember any
thing but we do not remember any earnest
effort by the members of Congress TO effect
any great reform Of the rules 50 often made
the pack-horse of failures to do what honest
men generally have said ought to be done.
As to the bill referred to, it seems to be con
ceded by all who write from Washington
that il trH pass before the session closes
We hope it will, and the sooner the better.
It ought to have passed long ago. Certain
i, is that all kinds of business in both Houses
get along with marvellous slowness this ses-
sion. Looking at affairs there from this DIS
lance, We should judge that there must be
an uncommon amount OF that feeling among
members which leads them to hang back
from all comprehensive and resolute act on,
in the hope that " something will turn up"
bye and bye to make every thing so as easy
as sliding down hill. \ good many of them
may find their own sliding down bill IN the
estimation Of their constituents to be more
rapid than agreeable, if they do not act with
vigor up to the responsibilities which rest
upon them.
Referring to the bill above spoken Of,
correspondent Of the Boston Trareller wrote
as follows, week ago
An examination Of the Bad Coie of The Dis
int CT Coium5i4, By y. sHethen, Esq, brings
many curious facts 10 view. This compilation
traces the laws back to the carly settlement OF the
colony Of Maryland. They appear to be confined
exclusively the laws Of that colony, those from
Virginia being omitted. According to strict
construction OF these Laws, there is really such
tuins as slavery in the District Of Columbia. be
original law provided that those only who were
held ss slave at the time Cf the passage Of the
act and their descendants 10 certain date, should
be Continued in slavery. Now as these descend
ants are ALL or nearly all, dead and buried, it is
not easy TO see how a law making slaves only Of
them, can be held IL make slaves Of others.
i be more those local slave laws are Examined.
the more absurd as well as wicked, they are
proved.
CONDITION Ct IHE PEOPLE q COLOR.
1t is not generally known that the colored peo-
pie Of the District number at least twelve tLou-
sand. This Is exclusive Of the companies row ar
irving here of the contraband persuasion. 1t
should be known, inasnuch as slavery is about
being abolished here, that the preparation Tor 1t
is progressing. The amount OF property held by
the coiored people Of the District is at least hct
a million Of dollars. They hold lands, houses,
horses carriages, carts fu nituro. and articles OF
convenience-such as bank, Insurance and gov
eminent stocks. Some Of them are owners OF and
interested in vessels. They own and have paid
for twelve churches OF IL large aud
handsome edifc-s. Their school houses are all in
the basen' nts Of their churches. They have
thirty different societies organized among them
selves. BY which they support tne most Of their
poor. 1t is fact on rec I'd by the government
that co.orsd person has eue teen tATied at fsf
pubic expense the Dlsniaf Of Columbia. II l.
also recorded fact, that not colured person II
this District, having any reputation Tor position,
has eUer btsH convicted Of capital oTIHss-
These are facts. They show, oonclusively, how
perfectly safe would be for Congress to exercise
its legislative power, and abolish slavery in the
District. L is about to be done.