The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1863-03-14

Leigh, distinguished Virginian, who,
Notwithstanding, is reported to have
said in debate, " wish, indeed, that |
had been born in land where domestic
and negro slavery is unknown" This
debate grew out of the apportlonment of
the ratio Of representa- ion between the
eastern and Yves ern sections of the
Sta c, the very cause which has since
led to the separation and independence
Of that portion of Virginia situated
beyond the Allegheny mountains, and
containing but small por ion of the
aggregat slave population of the whole
State. The great difficulty with Mr..
Monroe, and The difficulty which forces it
self upon us all, at the present day is the
necessity of devising feasible plans for
the deportation and establishment of the
negro race in some ,crri DRY, to be con-
trollcd and governed by themselves
This | hold to be as mpor ant as that
emancipation should be gradual, and not
forced.
1t will readily occur to every one that
The establishment within thc limits of
the State of Maryland of 10000 freed
men OF the negro race-thc present ne
gro population within herIimi drought
IN direct contact withthe existing free
white labor of the State, must nccessari
ly lead 10 consequences of the most seri-
Gus character. The two races cannot CO.
exist on terms of equality. and the expe-
rlcnce Of thepas: few months has dcvel-
oped a growing restles>ness upon ,his
subject among he laboring classes in
every part of thccountry where the negro
has been brought in competition with the
white iian i'll the exercise of his newly
acquired freedom. \ war of races is no
Improbable contingency. Ii has coui-
mcNced already, and it will be for those
who advocate emancipation without col.
onlzation to consider we'll whether the
result Of the struggle wi h the superior
race would not be to reduce she negro to
a condition far more objectionable han
he occupied before his enancipa ion was
decrecd, One thing is Ger ain, that the
labor Of the African race, in such con-
ingency, would be toiera ed bv the
win man MI so far as it might be
applied wi hout interference wi the
pursuits which he had either already Sc,
apart, or chose to st apar;, for his own
exc u>ivc cnjo!men or prof
But gentleman viii not misunderstood
me in reference to his Ian OF ''conpcn-
stated cnancra'i"u.' | recognize 10
power in the Fed, raj Government; to
Glcta any line OF policy in conflict with
powers which have been reserved b. the
adoption vi the Federal Cons tuition. -
| he ms tu ION of slavery is condition
OF our conf ac IF Union, for it i, evident
that no slavrboldiny State would have
become party to that compac without
a clear rcc"gn ion Of his f allure Of our
political system Slavery exists under
he Constitution. and cannot be inter-
tercd wi h without tue consent of the
slaveh"idlng States. In approaching
The suhjec do So in full view Of these
recognized rights. AS an offer of aid
from he free to the slave Suites to
enable them to rid themselves of an al.
United evil, |, for one, accept the pro-
posi- ion in the spirit in which it was
offered, and hest ate not to say, that |
believed the best interests of my own
State would be subscrved by giving to
this invitation on he part of the Presi-
dent and Congress the calm and unprc-
JUDGED consideration to which it is so
jus ly entitled. If, in The modes pre-
scrlbcd by the State Constitution, l.
should be the pleasure Of the people of
the State of Mary land to entertain Or
reject this offer, it is their privilege to
do either; and | sec no reason to infer
that, in The approach thus made TO the
slaveholiing Sta es, there is involved
any designed encroachmcnt upon ate
sovereignty, as recognized in the Con-
stu ion, or the right to regulate and
control their domestic institutions in
their own way.
But in wha ever light the Border
States may view this offer, Maryland
will not lose sight Of the fact that a
crisis Is now upon her consequent upon
the existence of war aud the diStrac cd
condi ion OF the country, which threa..
ems the sacrifice of every slave within
her borders. The fugitive-slavo law
can no longer be relied on for her pro-
&C ion, and the ac aholshing slavery
III the District of Columbia will prove as
: effective in Marylond as i has done
+ within the lini of the territory covered
By its provisions. 1t is certainly no
insult 10 her pride, in the midst of the
dangers that threaten us, tn be offered
the corporation IF the free 5 ates in he
mode proposed by the recommendation
: Of the President, 10 be entertained or
not, as our lntcres may dictate. Tha
our property in slaves is held by a most
precautions tenure needs no argument to
demonstrate. Large numbers have
already disappeared, while those hat
reuIaiu can 40 longer be made prof able
in the face Of no widespread demoral-
a! izat'onr which is essry.here, creeIing