Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-10-17

The discussion Of the question Of slavery
is taking 3 very interesting form in Mary
land. The immediate emancipstionists are
presenting arguments Of an economic
character, to convince Shareholders that
the advancement Of their true interests
will be promoted by emancipation. Some
are sanguine in the belief that the imme-
diate emsncipationists will succeed in the
election Of November We greatly desire
that 8 result so auspieious may be real
lied this year, but fear it is too soon to ex-
psct it But emancipation in Maryland
is sure to come. 1t cannot resist the force
of circumstances and prevalent influences.
Convince the Shareholders that the system
is impOverishing, that their true interests
lie in the direction Of emancipation, and
the work is done.
A committee of the Unconditional
Union Party" have issued calm address
to the people, dwelling more upon the eco
nomic than the moral features of slavery.
The address clearly shows the advantages
Of free over slave labor, and is well calcu-
lated to enlighten the minds and influence
the action of Shareholders.
The population of Maryland is, in round
numbers, 70p,OOO-of this number only
10000 are Shareholders.
In the northern half Of Maryland there
are but few slaves, and this portion of the
Stale is practically free. In 1860 the free
counties had $50, 147 cultivated acres. The
slave counties had l 747,6 The land in
the free counties was valued at S47, 85l, ,615,
while that in the slave counties was val
ued at only S81, 1861. The free lands
were worth S48:28 an acre, the slave lands
S23:9l an acre. The slave counties
are older than the free counties, and might
be supposed from that fact to have the
greater wealth, and thus larger amount
of taxable property; and yet the taxable
property in the free counties is SS5 900, 900,
while that in the slave counties is only
S69,000,00O Thus the impoverishing sys-
TEN of slavery is put in strong contrast
with the greater thrift and prosperity su-
perinduced by free labor.
In the free section of the State the white
population is 8S5, ,64S, in the slave portion
the white population is 18O,275. Slavery,
true to its despotic, controlling instincts,
has contriVed to rule the State politically.
The North, free part of the State is divided
into eight counties, while the slave part,
with population of whites two hundred
and ffty-fve thousand less, is divided into
fourteen counties, thus having a majority
of the State Senate-and in the Northern
part the election Of Delegates to the As
sembly is so arranged that 6, 641 white per-
sons have delegate, while in the South
ern portion S,S21 white persons have
delegate.
Thus q small minority of planters, rep
resentiug one fourth of the population,
have contrived to rule the State. These
are important facts to lay before the pee
pie, and are likely to have a powerful eff
feet.
The Shareholders, thus empowered, pro-
cured an amendment to the constitution
probibitisg emancipation by set of the leg
islature, and have fixed taxes to suit them
selves, and pay about one third as much
tax on slave, as on other property, and in
every way have so shaped legislation as to
favor slave, at the expense of free labor.
The political power of the State is in the
hands of the non-slavehOlders, and as soon
as they can be made to comprehend their
true interests, they viii order these things
differently. The Committee have done
good work in spreading such facts as these
before the people, SO well calculated to en-
Tighten and guide them in the right direc-
tion.
Ex-Governor Thomas of Maryland is al
50 doing good work in showing up the
advantages of free over slave labor. In a
recent speech at Rockville, he said
'rSo far from the abolition Of slavery |
being an evil, it would be blessing 10 the |
State Of Maryland. It was slavery that |
made land of the same quality in Mary |
land worth $50 an acre less in that State
than it was just across the line in Penn
sylvanis, where man earns his bread by
the sweat of his brow. Applause.
The moment Maryland is rid of slavery
her lands throughout the State, will be
worth $40 more per acre than they now
are.
Maryland cannot remain q slave State
long. By the voluntary act of her own
people, she will soon take her rank among
the free States of the Union