Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-04-09
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BILL.

We are glad to see, says the Philadelphia
Bulletin, that Northern men have the courage
10 speak out clearly on the subject Of remov-
ing slavery from tho District of Columbia.
The bill passed by the Senate is no wild aboli-
Tion scheme, driven hip and thigh. without
reason, uader the influence of blind fan,ti
-cism. It is i vel! arranged bill, in which the
rights OF all concerned are duly considered. /.
al d there can he no reasonable objection to it.
1t is, We think, very clear that tho national
Government never bo0nd itself to perpetuate
slavery in the District of Columbia. The ami
mas of the Constitution is against the coHtin-
nance Of slavery. This is shown in the pro-
vision Tor the cessation of the slave trade in
.e0S In the fact that the words s.slavery"
and SLAVES" are carefully excluded from tho
instrument. and in the we'll known principles
Of the leading MEN of that time. The spirit
Of compromise, OF disposition wisely to
adjust all difficulties, rather than to drive any
thing TO extremes, led the trainers Ut the Con-
siituiion to tolerate even the slave trade for
limited period to insert the provision in re-
ia'ion to the restoration of fugaiive slaves,
and 10 consent TO the representation Of three
aiihs Of the slaves in Congress. But the sx-
pcctation was that slavery would gradually be
abolished, II time were only given for an ad
JlstUent of difficulties, ana Tor the prevalence
Of a correct public sentiment. The idea that
Congress must forever he governed by the ac.
lion Of Maryia and Virginia, in regard 10
sis'ery, is preposterous. 1t was altogether
proper, as in the case of the allowance of the
slivc trade until 1903, that there should he no
audnc haste in the removal Of slavery from
me District, bnt that time should be given
.nF lis removal IN the States around u, in case
.aey showed a disposition to eSeIt thenselves
% accomplish his object. II such d;sposi
SioH hal Heea siiowp, no dopb: Congress would
Aavo pleased to wait and Cooperate with
Nary isnd ane Virginia, so that emancipation
sh the District should haye been simultaneous
"iih that IN the neightoripg States. But it lie
well enough to know that no such disposition
has been shown, and Congress therefore is not
TO wait forever
u is, toD, The clear DUTY Of the General
government 10 regard the wish Of the vast
majority cf the loyal American people. They
pave waited patiently. They have allowed
saFe laws, OF which they entirely disapprOred,
70 lie in force upon the national territory.
They have allowed themselve to he in post
Ion OF completely with an institution of which
tley disapproved entirely. They have allowed
scenes to transpre in sight of the Capitol
mnich outraged all their views OF American
hOeriy. Now hat they feel that they have
waited long enough, and that they have right
70 carry their views into effec:, We can see no
principle upon which their representatives
.ae representatives Of an overwhelming ma
!o'i,y Of the loyal peolle-can refuse to obey
Weir will. It will be observed that there Is
10 disposition to emancipate these slaves
shhout compensation to their masters. In
rus the law passed by the Senate differs
ron all wild abolition projects. II IL truly
,rmarkabe that not single Senator from The
;'''h objects to paying compensation tur
Iese negroes. The State of Maine has pass.
''so'pt'ons expressing tho entire Wiling