St. Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1845-1863, 1862-04-03
LEoNARD ToWN. MD- rHuRsDA I q 6klNG. APRIL 1852

q.
. references kosh 10 the act,sss existence |
& slavery in the nation, and to our con. !
oblieasieas, We hsys no riSht
4 sil to distnrb il in the States where |
6 exists. snd We profess that pws have
10 more incliDsaion 60 disturb it than
we have the right to do IL. We 10
lurshss than that-we don't propose 10
iissurb il where in any insfance, ve
lhink the Constitution noald pefmik ~.
We think the Gonssisasf66 wcUg4 Der.
nit us 70 distuf6 e in the District oil
Columbia. Sill We do not propose to
DO that unless Il should be in terms
which | don't saPpose the nation il very
likely soon to agree to-the terms Of
making the emancipation gradual and
the unwilling owners
Where We suppose We have the constitu-
lioual right We restrain ourselycs in ref
ercnce to the actua: existence of the in
sti,ution and tho difficulties thrown. about
it."
Mr. Lincoln here shows that he had
that there were 'dif6cultics''
akout abolition in this District.
18th. In his speech at the Cooper Ins,i-
iute, New York. February 27, 1860,
Mr. Lincoln claims the Republican par
ty 70 be conservative" in con,radistinction
to the Democratic party. He said
I'VE republicans. stick to, contend for
the identical old policy on the slavery
question which was adopted by our faith
crs who formed the Government under
which we live; whilst the Democracy
with one accord reject. and spit upon
that old policy, and insists upon sub
ssituting something new" The con.iu-
uation Of slavery In this District was
constitutional part Of the identical
old policy Of our fathers who framed
the Govcrnmeat." Why should we be
80 impatient Of their arrangements, and
Insist upon substituting something newt"
Can't We put up with What they did not
6nd fault with
l4sh. The geographical position of the
District in slave region requires that it's
status should Be assimilated to that re-
gion. Southern Members Of Congress and
Southern Presidents, Cabinet Officers.
and Judges. ought not to be
debarrcd the courtesy Of bringing
and safely training here for their
use. domcstics from their families at
home.
18th. It is pretty clear from what
drops in debates in Congress on this bill.
that it is but the beginning Of social and
political revolution 10 our midst. The
same power that can liberatc our negroes
against our will. can and perhaps will
confer upon theHa equality in civil and po-
liticsl privileges with the whites. SO. for
instance that negroes may vote for muni-
cipal or other officers; may hold such Of
fees ,hem:s Ives; andsit Is jurors. n,agN-
trases and judges in our courts.
10Th. Before schemes for negro enamel
patton are set on foot. the promoters of
these schemes should agree upon what
they mean ultimately 10 do. There is a
radical and fundamental conflict in their
views aud purposes. For instance. the
speeches and writings Of the President and
Postmaster General favor compensation
and gradual emancipation. with removal
Of the emsncipased blacks from the coun-
try such men as Messrs Lovcjoy. Sum-
ner. Pomcroy. &C.. scout these conditions,
and appear resolved to libcrate all the
slaves If they can. and keep them for q
perpetual burden and annoyance to the
whites.
17th. The consideration of this bin on
the abstract question of the right or wrong
Of slavery ought not to take place. 1t is
as much beyond the scope af ordinary leg
islation as any mere question Of religion
or morals. No being in heaven or earth
will ever accuse the men Of Maine or
Massachusetts, Of the sin of slavery in this
District. if sin it be. They should not be
anxious to assume responsibility and .
outlines which cannot attach to them
The reflection that in their own families
and States they are free from slavery.
ought to be sufficient for their peace Of
minds, since they are in = condition to
thank God that they are not as other men
and States are. Hands of is their true
duty, and self restraint from meddling in
other mems matters.
The example Of the West India Islands
is not at all to the point. The blacks of
Jamaica in 1885 were 6vc to one Of the
whites. There is no likelihood Of any
conflict of races there. Il would be more
to the point to show that il blacks. FORM
ing one-third ofthe whole population Of
England herself. had bech liberated. they
had gone on successfully. But We know
that no such thing ever took place. and
We see sha. poor whites in Englaad still
founder ON under heavy weight Of disa-
bilities All arguments from the West
India Islands are necessary fallaeious.
10Th. The people of the District of Co.
lumbia ought not to suffer from the VEN
geance felt by Northern men towards the
guilty seeded States. This city has stood
faithful in all the past troubles, and came
forward in the time of need TO
defend the Government. Let the guilty
suffer for their crimes; but the slxvcb"ldrrs
and people Of the District OF Columbia
ought not ~ be made the sufferers fcr sihs