Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-08-22
LETTER FiiOM suFFoI.K.
Tue People.
CAMr NEAR SurfoLK, VA, /
August ~. lsG2.

tAMr NEAR SUFFOLK, VA,
August II. lsG2
FRIEND llcREL;
Often have we mused of
late ON the uncertainty of the tenure of
slave property and musing have wonder
ed why the necessity of perplcXing our
selves as to the means requisite to rid the
country of the peculiar institution; and
we have as frequently thought that if
those who are so solicitous about the im-
mediate abolition of slavery, would only
make Il campaign in the Old Dominion,
they would slightly modify their views,
and be perfectly satisfied that the war is
the most efficient emancipator-that the
evil was like some simple bodily alice
tions, tending to % spontaneous cure 49,
They would feel assured that Providence
has an agency, and a powerful one, in the
ultimate settlement Of this ycXcd question,
in that it has been weakening for months
past, this immense fabric founded upon Il
system of human bondage, ut a rate truly
gratifying to every opponent of the prin-
ciple Of negro slavery.
Black Regiments of the Hunterian
style may not accomplish much in the
way of securing the liberty of the race, by
IL fight, but the ebony brigades, as we
term them, which we every day see on
their toilsome marches from the Southern
plantations, may safely be relied on TO
cripple and finally destroy the institution,
by means of Il novel process of converting
Il slave into contraband. And daily
are we reminded of the potency of this
agency, and Of the amazing tendency of
the negroes down this way, to shift the
proprietorship of themselves, and transfer
it to Uncle Sam. Rarely does the sun
rise that it does not shine upon u company
of contrabands varying from fifty to
hundred and fifty, marching along, affect
ing military step and style, and under the
escort of soldier; they take the under
ground railroad from the Carolnas or re-
mote sections of this State, come to our
lines sometime during the night, and are
brought before the Provost Marshal in
the morning.
In this exodus from the South country,
are seen blacks Of nearly all ages and
sizes, from the old man to the merest
shaver that can barely toddle. Some of
them have their effects tied up in old cot
ton handkerchief others have theirs he.
slowed in bag, whilst some have made
pretensons to shabby carpet sack They
file through the Streets looking as happy
as u sense of liberty can make them, but
much TO the disgust of the citizens, who
see in this continuous flight heavy loss
to seeesh property, now considered in the
light OF movable property They are all
sent to Norfolk, and thence to the army.
This influx of the colored population
occurs wherever the Union army has pc
netrated each camp exercises Il kind of
magnetic influence. The slaves have
learned that whilst the army is lighting for
the perpetuty Of free institutions, it in
tends that slavery shall be 50 weakened
mat II shall never again threaten our
liberties. This makes not u gradual
emancipation, but u reasonably rapid
one; as constant ,hoppings wear away
stones, so Will II steady stream of contra |
bands towards the Union lines, derive
from the strength Of the institution.
An antl-slavery man TO observe the fire.
quent professions of escaped negroes,
would be highly delighted at the proba-
'Nf'''N VI tHA0 NbllAlUul utDltllOH upon |
the system, and would he willing TO de. !
pend upon that principle innate in the
being of African descent, which impress
INN to seek refuge beyond the cabins of
Dixie, when our armies can shelter him
Already must this persistent course of
the negro have had an effect upon the sys
tenn all over the South we are sure it Ias
had in this State, for we have seen more
fugitive slaves in one day than Delaware ,
owns. We know of many men who have I
lost all Of their slaves; some districts are
almost virtually free soil now; and what is
more, the runaways still continue to come;
there Is no arresting the disposition. AS
an Initiative race, all will follow, believing
that throwing up intrcnchments or wait,
ing ON Yankee officers, with prospect
OF reasonable reward, is far preferable 10
labor in rice or cotton field
By this weakening process, slavery will