Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-21

NIT the revolution to go on, and overturn and de-
ssroy both, is right upon US, and it must be deci
ded quickly The revolrtionists have the direc-
ton of the Government, and will use the power
in their hands for the accomplishment Of their
emancipation schemes, unless the people prompt
ly interpose and crush them, and restrict the
prosecution of the to the objects to which the
country is solemnly pledged
Emancipation of Slavery in the DIS
trict of Columbia.
The President has signed the bill providing for
the emancipation of the slaves in the District of
This measure was uncalled for in the present
crisis of our public affairs, and is an act of bad
faith on the part of the party in power. 1t will
not be forgotten that the Republicans everywhere
announced during the Presidential canvass of
1860 that it was not their intention to interfere
with slavery where it existed but only to prevent
its farther extension. A year ago by solemn
resolution the Republican Representatives in
Congress with few exceptions reafirmed this
position. How has this pledge been kepti
abolishing slavery in the District of
Columbia. In the celebrated debate between
DOUGLAS and LINCOLN at Freeport, Illinois, in
1858. in response to an inquiry of the former
whether he was pledged to the abolition Of
slavery in the District of Columbia % the latter
gress, should not, with my present views. be in
favor of endeGporing to abolish slavery in the
District of Columbia, unless it would be upon
these conditions First, That the abolition should
be gradual. Second, That it should be on a vote
Of the majority of qualified voters in the District
to unwilling owners"
Only one of these conditions is embraced in
the bill approved by the President for the aboli-
ton of slavery in the District of Columbia, viz,
compensation to unwilling owners. The aboIi-
ton is MOI gradual, but immediate; and the con-
sent of the people of the District is not taken
into consideration. Yet Mr. LINCOLN cordially
approves a measure with features which, less
than four years ago, his calm and deliberate
judgment pronounced unfair and injurious to
both master and slave. If the President and the
Republican members of Congress can thus VIC
late their solemn pledges to the country in one
instance, what confidence can be placed in any
that they have or may make? The recent legis-
lation of Congress seems, in the language OF
Mr.. LINCOLN, TO be Gin favor of endear0TiRg' to
widen the breach between the two sections. and
to make two hostile nations of what should be a
united and prosperous government.
The following is careful synopsis of the law;
Section one declares that all persons in the
District OF Columbia, held to service or labor by
reason Of African descent are freed of and from
all such claim, and that slavery shall not hereaf-
ter exist in the District.
Section two authorizes all loyal masters to
present, within ninety days, statements of the
Names age, value, &c. OF the slaves freed by this
| act.
Section three authorizes the President to ap-
point three Commissioners to determine the val ue
OF the claims presented. and make awards; it pro
vides that the entire sum appraised and apportion
ed shall not exceed an average of $500 for each
slave in the District
| Section four directs the Commissioners to re
port within nine months tc the Secretary OF the
Treasury who is directed to pay over the amount
awarded; and in case of conflicting claims, it is
|
ings in the Circuit Court of the District of Co
| lumbia.
Sections FIVE and six regulate the meetings OF
the Commissioners, their mode of procedure and
provides that their compensation shall be $4,000
each.
Section seven appropriates one million of dol
lars 10 pay for the negroes set free.
Section eight Furnishes with Imprisonment any
person who shall take negroes out of the District
with the intent of enslaving them.
Sections nine and ten provide that the Clerk OF
the Circuit Court of the District shall keep reg
lister of persons freed by the act, and issue certi-
fcates of freedom TO each person so freed, the
pay ment OF twenty five cents therefor.
Section eleven approPr!ates 100000, to be ex-
pended Under the direction OF the President, to
aid in the colonization and settlement of such
i free persons of African descent now residing in
said District, including those to be liberated by
this act, as may desire to emigrate to the Repub-
lies OF Hayti or Liberia, or such other country
beyond the limits of the United States as the
President may determine
Section twelve repeats all laws. State and Fed
eral, and all city ordinances of Georgetown and
Washington. inconsistent with the act.
The President names as Commissioners undel
the law j. r. GooDLoE, S. f. VNroN and JANE:
s. BENNETT.