Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-03-12
COMPENSATED EMANCIPATION.

81 COMPENSATED EMANCIPATION
The st. Louis Democrat, in its number of the
!, 9th instant, expresses the opinion as being
uuquestionabe, that but for the opposition Of
the Democratic and "Union" members the bill
pending in Congress, upon its adjournment, for
the appropriation of fifteen million dollars to
pay for the slaves of Missouri, would have become
q law. Our contemporary adds that the Republi-
cans we're, with rare exceptions, in favor of the
measure, and would triumphautly have passed
ir had the opportunity presented itself. This dis
position, 1t thinks, was exhibited in both Houses
by the passage Of bills for the same purpose, al
though differing unfortunately in some Of their
provisions.
From what we can learn as to the disposition Of
Congress in the premises, we are Of the opinion
that the policy of the President, proposing to aid
any State in the work Of emancipation by appro-
priating money for the purpose of purchasing
slaves, had but very few jealous friends in either
House Of Congress or in any party. Just before
the adjournment of Congress we called the atten-
ton Of its members to the Presidents plan, as so
elaborately expounded and enforced in his last an
nual message, but which seemed, as by common
consent, to have encountered strange neglect
We have been informed that in the latter days Of
the session member from Missouri, who was ex-
ceedngly opposed 70 the passage of the bill the
failure Of which the st. Louis Democrat regrets
and who had prescribed to himself the duty Of
Watching to prevent its passage, received assur-
ances from several leading Republicans that he
need give himself no anxiety on the subject, as it
was not intended to consummate this policy of
compensated emancipation by passing any bill
making appropriations for the purpose of ransoming
slaves. The Boston Daily Advertiser, in COM
mentiDg on this omission, says:
There are few Of the omissions Of duty by the last Con-
gress which disposed regret than its failure
pass the bill for aiding he of slaves 10 Mis-
souri, This practical measure under the Presidents
fayore and excellent scheme for making the Border States
Free The general principle had been sanctioned by Con-
grrs and believe, approved by the good of the
country large. 1t had found advocates in the
States concerned, and in tbs particular
urged by leading public in Missouri with good pros
pect Of adoption by the Stab authorities. If passed the
measure purge great State from evil which is
the only obstacle in advance to magnificent future.
The ecton Of the o bear at least the
appearance ,f repudati Of the plan proposed by the
President and Congress eehteen months ago. and to dis
courage the advocates of emancipation in tho States by
showing them that the cooperation of Congress,
pledged to them, wss not to be depended upon.
The blg passed the Senate by fair majority the
18th Of February and under The circumstances it would
seem that its passage by the House should have been
secure. 1t came into the lower branch, however
ferred proper committee and there apparently either
neglected forgotten until the Last day but Of the ses-
zion when il was found mpos,ble to obtain vote of
two thirds to supnd the rules for its c0nderston ard
whrn he trends Of emancipation in Missouri Ken
tucky. Mar, land Delaware asked what Congress
will do to aid the cause, this mortfyng failure to obtain
an approprlat, will close their mouths.
Such is the support given by the last Congress to
scheme repeatedly urged by the President with the
solemn Of his eef in its importance and
and with arguments in support of that
belief
sWe cannot help viewing the failure of this bill as an
other example Of the culty Of obtaining fair hearing
for really practical measures, at me when men
10 mould the If affairs suit their pre-
judcrs theories. This wise and humane met
the most bitter opposition from the majority OF the Demo
cratic members Coagres-irom the class Of men who
the vulgar cry that white mu.t not be taxed to
fee neg,oes aud who deaf to generous impu.es
that they will pprse not only emancipation without the
of the Southern people, but EVEN emancipation
with their consent The hostility Of all this class, and If
ell who ud the services Of this cliss the
10 meet and did meet from the start.
I'VE apprehend, iowever, that the feeble support of
sohs If he friends Of ema, cpaon was much more dead
ly the success Of the bill. The conn laint made
that the bill # it the opt of Missouri to make TIL
sm ,pciparion gradual Instead f mmedste. The sppo
pratiou 90 twenty millions regarded
with dssst faction. One Senator Of note declared, in
voting for the BILL that be did because he knew that IL
must 70 back to tie Hou,e and in short considerable
class wrr. evidently cool not to say Indifferent 10 th
SUI port Of the measure because it not suffice nty
sw IL n it's operation Under these circumstances, who
will wonder that it not urged upun the attention If
the HOUSE Of Representative, and who VIII believe that
with re- al ly interest in its among who
were committed In IT. favor, it would have been impossible
10 bling up for action during h fortnight and that
1t in The possesson f the House, Thus MEASURE
vast capacity for good hos been lost from the inability Of
men either aide ~ copcede thrg o pr udce of
theory in the pesenc Of actual opportunity for
hg great practical benefit for humanity and for the
country" -
THE FRENCH MINISTER.