Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-01-28
Emancipation.
tFrom the Catholic Telegraph

Thousands and hundreds Of thousands Of
slaves have been emancipated by the march
of our armies, or their abandonment by their
masters, but we do not hear that white labor
has suffered anything in consequence. On
the contrary, wherever we direct our atten-
ton, we discover q greater demand for the
labor of the white man. than we ever knew
before. This condition of things will con-
tinue, and as the slave mart disappears, a
constant improvement in the position OF the
white labor will be universal recognized
We regret that there are so many attach
ed to the slave system, that they can throw
obstacles in the way Of emancipation. All
the arguments we have heard OF tor the
preservation of slavery are not only selfish,
but hostile to the white man, who has to
earn bis bread by his hands. In the border
States, particularly where slavery has helped
to make the people poor, there is an attach:
ment to the institution which Is not found
in States further South, where there is more
wealth and more genuine independence. -
10 exclude the poor white man appears to
be the hight Of craftsmanship in those
States, on the ridiculous ground that the
labor of the negro il q necessity; but every
one knows that such is not the reason. -
Trey fear to SEQ the white man improve his
condition in society; they fear to lose the
political power they have heretofore enjoy.
ed, and would prefer upholding . bastard
aristocracy, mean in every sense ofthe word
"a system which does not desire the good
of the greatest but the smallest number,
rather than come down q little from these
high places and acknowledge that labor i.
This is the true spirit Of slavery at present
\ T. haof.tiku IN tha vhita fho n
colored man. 1t strives, even whilst dying
to crush him. 1t is an irrsmed,ablo disor
der--and how strange it is to find the very
class which its destruction would most bene
fit, the loadest in its support! 1t holds tbs
the sword ut the breast Of the white laboreI
or if permitted to work at some unhealthy
employment from which the slave is care
fully prevented, 1t is with every mark o
contempt for his occupation and person.
| Now, that we have the power as well a
Justice on our side, and worlds public opin
ion to defend US. why are so many obstacles
thrown in the way of the suppression O
slavery? The bold stand taken by thost
who had military command in Maryland
aided by patriotic citizens. who had wi
enough to see that the white laborer mus
conquer, have emancipated that State from
its thraldom. We owe no gratitude to an!
one else for the success of the measure il
that commonwealth. The light of secont
term has dazxled the eyes Of the Presiden
on many occasions, which history will no
reflect to his honor. Her record IL aocumu
lating, but the shorter it will be. the bette
for him. But the power is in the hands o
the people--it is for them to relieve this in
finite mischief Of slavery, and if one leade
hesitates, or equivocatcs, to choose another
whose well-known policy on the subject, aid
ed by mind vast in It's capacity, thought
full, prudent, wise, and with manners con
sistent with the dignity Of place, will finis
: the mighty work. When the last stone
to be placed on the pinnacle, steady hear
and strong hand are necessary.
We want peace restored speedily--a peac
profitable to the whito man who earns hi
bread by the sweat of his brow. We wis
10 see him not SO slow, but that hc ma
have one foot on the ladder by which hec ca
ascend to fortune. While slavery lasts b
cannot do this; tho Institution is not in th
harmony of things-it is perpetual dis
cord; it bears 1.-THE ineradicable taint Of sin,
} and as Christians, as patriots, rs brothers G
our kind, we ought to leave nothing undon
or untried to remove it forever from ou
midst Now is the time to do it legally, q
well as justly, and for the welfare OF all tn
neonle