The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-12-09


performed. The freed people would.
surely, not do more than their old pro-
portion of it, and very probably, for a
time, would do less, leaving an increased
part TO white bringing their
labor into greater demand, and, conse
quently, enhancing the value of it. With
deportation, even to a limited extent, en-
hancing wages to white labor is ma;he-
matically certain. Labor 10 like any 9th
rr commodity in the market. Increase
the demand for it, and you increase the
price of it. Reduce the supply of black
labor by colonizing the black laborer out
of the country, and, by precisely SO much
you will increase the demand for wages
Tor white labor.
But it is dreaded that the free people
will swarm forth and cover the whole
land. Will liberation make them any
more numerous Equally distributed
among the whites Of the whole country
and there would be but one colored to
seven whites Could the one in any
way greatly disturb the seven I? There
are many communities now having more
than one free colored person TO 7 whites,
and this without any apparent conscious
ness Of evil from it. The district of
Columbia, and the states Of Maryland
and Delaware are all in this condition
The District has more than one free col
ored person to six whites, and yet in its
frequent petitions to Congress, | believe
it has never presented the presence Of
free coored persons as one of its griev-
ances.
But why should emancipation in the
South send the freed people North ?
People of any color seldom run unless
there is something to run from. Here
tofore colored people have fled North to
some extent from bondage, and now per-
haps from both bondage and deslitution
but if gradual emancipation and depor-
taticn be adopted, they will have neither
to flee from. Their own masters will
give them wages, at least till new labor.
ers can be procured, and the freed men
in lurn will gladly give their labor for
wages, till new homes can be found for
them in congenial climes, and with PEG.
pie OF their own blood and race. This
proposition can be trusted on the mutual
interests involved, and, in any event,
cannot the North decide for itself whether
to receive them
Again, as practice proves more than
theory In any case, has there been any
Eruption northward because of the abol-
ishment of slavery in the District of
Columbia last SPRING? What l have
said of the proportion of free colored
persons 10 The whites in the District Of
Columbia is from the census of 1860,
having no reference to persons call con-
trabands, nor TO those made free by the
act of Congress abolishing slavery mere.
The plan consisting of these articles is
recommended, not but that restoration
OF the national authority would be ac-
cepted without its adoption, nor will the
war or proceedings under the proclama-
ton of Sept. 22d, 1869, be stayed be,
cause of the recommendation Of this
plan. Its timely adoption. doubt no,
you'd bring restoration, and thereby
stay both, and Notwithstanding this plan.
The recommendation that Congress
provides by law for compensating any
State which may adopt The emancipation
act before this plan shall have been act
ed upon, is hereby earnestly renewed.
Such would only be an advance part Of
the plan, and the same arguments apply
10 both. This plan is recommended as
a means not in conclusion of, but ad-
dlllonal TO all others for restoring and
preserving the national authority
throughout the Union. The subject is
presented exclusively in its economical
aspect. The plan would, l am conf
dent, secure peace more speedily than
can be done by force alone, while it
would cost less, considering amounts
and manner of payment aud times of
payment, and the amounts would be
easier paid than will be the additional
cost OF The war, If we RELY solely upon
force. is most likely that it would
cost no blood at ALL
The plan is proposed as permanent con
stitutional law. 1t cannot become such
without the concurrence, first, of two
thirds OF Congress, and afterwards three
fourths OF the States. This will necessarily
include seven of the slave States. If OBJ
tanned i. will give assurance of their sew.
orally adopting emancip patton at no dist.
ant day on the new constitutional terms
This assurance wonld end the struggle
now, and save the Union forever.
l do not forget the gravity OF a paper
addressed to the Congress of the nation
by the Chief Magistrate Of the nation, nor
do forget that some few are my seniors,
or that many Of you have more expert.
encs than in the conduct of public
affairs.
Yet | trust that in viewing the great
responsibility resting upon me you will
perceive no want Of respect to yourselves
IN any undue earLestnsss may seem to
display.
Is il doubted then that the plan pro-
pose, if adopted, will shorten the war,
and thus lessen its expenditure of money
and blood ? Is it doubted that it will
res store the national prosperity and per-
petuate both indefinitely?
Is ii doubted that ii we here, Congress
and Executive, can secure its adoption,
the good people will respond to united
and earnest appeal from us