New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-06-02
EMANCIPATION IN THE DUTCH
COLONIES.

The Netherlands Royal Gazstte publishes the
text of the law of August 8, 1862, for the
Abolition of Slavery in the Colony OF Surlham'
which differs only in some unimportant par
ticulars from that for tho islands. 1t Is com
prehensivo enactment ia five chapters and
thirty.nine articles, declaring tho General Prln'
cpes of Emancipation, fixing the comPensa-
ton to be paid and methods OF ascertalning 1t,
prescribing a term of surveillance or guardian
ship of the liberated slaves by the State, do.
termnng their obligations and privileges in
respect to labor and support, and closng with
certain general stipulatlops for their welfare
and Improvement
This law by its first article enacts that
Slavery in the Colony of Surinam shall be
abolished from and after the LIST Of July, 1868,
and the principles on which it is based are
enunciated in the three following articles, as
follows: that compensation shall be gwen TO
the owners Of slaves, that the guardianship
of the State shall continue for not more than
ten years aud that the colonization Of Suri.
nam by free labOrers shall BIO encouraged by
premiums during the next five years, the total
Of which is not 10 exceed one million OF gull
ders. about four hundred and twenty thousand
dollars. The wisdom Of this latter provision Is
in striking contrast to the improSident and
stupid prejudice which seeks to Danish from
TIN, country four millions Of its llborers at
moment when they were never sO necessary to
iis industry and are just discovered to be 40
small part OF IFS military strength.
The compensation to the owners IS liked at
three Hundred gullders. equal to one hundred
and tw,nty.slS dollars, for each slave without
difference "a to age or seI bat there IS a con
siderable number of cases specified in which
nothlng will be paid. Provisions for the pay
neut and precautions against fictitious claims
are fully aud carefully LAID doyn IN the law.
Ia respect to guardianship, it is wisely en-
acted that it. duties SHALL he performed by
pard officers who shall not be connected with
The administration OF ihe colonies, NOR shall
they have any prcuuiury interest IN any enter
prise in Surinam" We commend this judi
clous stipulation to the regard Of our Govern.
mcnt a. commentary ON the system put in
force By Gen. Banks in Louisiana, and by
Gen. Thomas n tie Misslssippi Valley, which
IN effect hand. over The emaucpatcd negroes of
tLo.c regions 10 the specializing lessees Of
abandoned cotton plantations. The care to De
e,crci.cd By the State is Literally aud hu-
namely set forth in the article which declares
that
"T. surveillance Of ,lc state 'o tbs protection OF tie
.manAps,ei aud with ,yio~ 20 Instruct them Ia family aud
.,s c ~ prevent dleao to regulate labor and aiio II
pfoino. secular asd ou n'uc'ou further 20 prescribe
tho co. nnsr aiding t. iulsc aud 20 mako pf9T.ion for
nurs tho scs .nd n .on-a 90 tate wh.'sver measures
ms, f,qs.s In behalf tn en-, pa ID negroes or To-
IT, pfe,esys ion Of publ, order
The Governor is authorized TO discharge
from surveillance those who may distinguish
tLemseko, b. their morality and diligence, and
they thereupon come unto the full enjoy
of the rights OF citizenship. Labor ia made
obligatory upon the freedmen. and they may
either enter into contracts with planters and
other employers. or failing that shall be en-
ploycd by the Government, at fix wages.
Nr.roe, not id-merly se,'ed on plantations
NAV bayc license for the practice of any
calling, profession, or trade, for when they are
capable. 4 working day IS legally fixed at
eight hours of labor ia the fields, and ten
hours IN buildings, aud n working Year at
three hundred working day.. Religious and
secular instruction il 20 De- encouraged aud ~
much as possible supported ny the State.
There are other buGlaGe and ju't provisions
IN his law which, as We'll a. those above cited,
ate evidences tina. the Government OF the
Netherlands in decreeng the emancipation OF
The slaves in It's American colonies has been
guided by Ear other considerations than merely
economical interests or political expcdiency, or
even military necessities. Ii recognizes the
necessity and duty OF u paternal care over
wroug,d race. and while 1t iusures them free
dom aims 10 secure Ia them oil It's blessings. and
10 root out the degrading influence entailed
upon them by long years of seryItude. We
are not yet 20 far advanced with our own eX-
pertinent with emapcpated slaves that we may
not proftat!y observe the method adopted IN
SurInam.