The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-12-25
DELAwARE's POSITION.

OELA w AXE D FUS1TlON.
Passing events have already convinced
the most casual observer, that Delaware is
destined to become free State. The in
Etitution of slavery has not for years had
a secure Judgment with our people. The
contiguity Of our northern extremity with
one free State, and the separation of near
~ our entire eastern line by only the mar
row waters of the Delaware river and bay |
from another, have had tendency to rem
der slavery less secure than in those states
more remote from free territory The |
probabilities of escape being greater here
than in State further south, the numb err
OF fugitives has been proportionably great
er. As our business and social commune
cations with the free states have increased
our opinions Of slavery and its consequent
ces have been modified, and our former
preJudices materially changed; while the
opportunities of gaining his freedom
by flight, have become more numerous.
This drainage upon "tho institution" has
not only affected it numerically, but greatly
detracted from former valuations of the
negro slave in the state of Delaware
AT the breaking out of this war, therefore
slavery here was undergoing slow but
certain process of extinction; this rebellion
will but excelcrate its lingering DEATH
AS it is, ace shall see the shaekels stricken
from the last slave; while otherwise, this
"relic of barbarism' might have maintain
ed a nominal existence in our midst for
years to come. We may therefore regard
slavery as an abolished institution in this
State The formality of Legislative enact
ment may speedily arrive, but cannot give,
practically, any greater certainty to its ex-
tipction than now exists, That there are
some IN this County who would regard its
adjustment with regret is true, for de-
mocraey will shudder with horror at be-
holding its fayorite idol shattered into
fragments; but the great mass of our ISco-
pie inspirited as they have been by the
cause of human freedom-and wrought
up as they are by this .uncalled for rebel
lion, to an immovable determination to
bring the issues involved in this war to
practical conclusions-will rcjeice with
unfeigned qualification over the dostrue-
ton of slavery as the generator of treason
and the only impeachment to American
greatness. The abolition of slavery in this
State is becoming popular, because it j.
right in principle, because it is allowable
under our constitution and laws, because
1t will add greatly to the prosperity anc
greatness of our little Commonwealth. anG
because it is in unison and conformity with
the great idea of American liberty
Slavery must die its advocates must be
sllenced this appanage of American trea-
son must be forever extinguishcd. The
Whlrllgig of fate is rafting discordant
requiem over the dying agonies of tho
medieval curse of America. and when lis
last vestige shall have been oblitersted in
the United States, every citizen of this
then Noble republic will feel prouder d
his country and her institutions. Their,
Is another fact which is giving popularity
TO the cause we espouse. 1t is success
The popular heart loves to hear the son,
OF triumph and the shout of victory, an
VIII uncontrolably participate in and az
prove of these jubilant demonstrations
Victory has already perched upon the bar
ner OF our cause, and the issue is ne longC
wavering and doubtful. We are the IN
nmphant party in the politics of the da
The democratic party did at the last ele
ton refuse to vote. 1t thus not on
acknowledged its defeat, but disbanded i
followers and proclaimed its own disc
ganization. To be called black rspubl
can was once considered insulting no
many voluntarily assume that name b.
few months ago the abolitionist was COZ
fined to the snow banks of the New En-,
land States; he now exists in SUISSE
county. Recently in this section of o,
State the self considered elite Of our fas
ionabie society, God save the mark y ga
tone and consequence to their respectful
ity by the most blatant enunciations
pro-slayery sentiments. To-day he W
has the audacity to advocate slavery
vairrously regarded as a twaddling cons,
yatlye, or southern sympathizer, as effe
ed with tho mania gfiicanic, or as CO.
pletely saturated in the reasonable n,
clivitics of the later-day democracy.