The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-05-28
The Duty of Our Shareholder.

Emancipation in Maryland is a fore
gone conclusion We have already in
formed our readers that at the Union
caucus in Annapolis, it was unanimously
agreed that the Convention was bound
by the popular verdict to the adoption
of immediate, uncompensated smanci-
patton. It's final disposal in the Con-
vention and its ultimate adoption by
the people are only questions of time,
and it may be well, in view of the com
ing change in our domestic institution,
to take into consideration the duties
that will devolVe unon our Shareholders
in reference TO their depend en- s.
There are many, we have reason to
know, who have made up their minds,
in consequence of the convictions forced
uaon them by the exhaustive discus
.ons of this question, to give up owner
ship IN slaves with good grace, and TO
submit to the decision Of the people,
the progress Of enlightened ideas, and
the demands of the hour, with a good
injured willingness.-But there are
many others who are bitterly opposed
to the Anti-S'avery reform movement
which has been the natural consequence
and the legitimate fruit of the Rebel
lion, and who manifest their bitterness
upon all occasions in very decided
terms. The first duty Of these stick
lers for an efete and nearly defunct
system, it appears to US, will be
TO reconcile their minds to the
change, and 70 salty themselves
that what must be viii be; not to
quarrel with fate, but to try to compre-
bend the fitness of its unalterable de
crees, and to accept Emancipation in
the spirit that will lead 70 the cultiva-
ton of desire to make the best Of it
honestly and in good faith. Let them
consider whether they are not swayed
by passion and prejudice, and whether
the advocates Of Anti-SlaYery have not
reason for the faith within them,
which might, properly represented, con-
vince even their skepticsl minds We
have no fear of the future. That will
work out its own salvation. The en-
HANGED value Of their lands, the IN
creased product of their farms, the SUI
perior economy of hired labor over
involuntary serYitude, will all, by their
unerring appeals to the pocket, demon
straits more satisfactorily than labored
argument the errors under which they
have always rested.
In some cases it may be that the
freed servants will prefer to seek new
homes and new employers, but a great
majority will cling to the homes of their
attachment As s general rule, it will
be to the mutual advantage Of both
parties to retain their connection. II
will be attended with less inconveni-
ence to the masters, and cause no de
rangement in the daily routine Of rural
life But the master must not forget
their altered relstiOns He must look
upon them as not only entitled to fair
wages, but to kind treatment Ills feel
ings, as well as his opinions, must I'm
dergo a change. The hardship and OPP
preston consequent upon habitusl
dornineering must be laid aside, and be
substituted by justeonduct and equits
able dealings
More than this viii be required to
make amends for the tardy justice rem
dered to this oppressed race 1t viii
be the duty Of their former owners 70
elevate them in the scale Of being BY
facilitating instruction 70 the extent Of
3 rudimentery education. at least, by
having them taughI the mechanic arts,
by opening Sunday Schools for their re-
ligious training. by civilizing and hu-
MANNING them in every practicable me-
thod. The motives for keeping them
in a condition Of ignorance no longer
exists; the dangers of Gcquainting
them with the lessons of the Bible have
disappeared There viii be no more
dread of Abolition emissaries-their oc-
cupation win be gone There viii 90
no further apprehension Of runaways
their race Is run
The only trouble We can fOresee win
be the want of negroes in sufficient
numbers 20 derive from given amount
Of land its higher rates OF productive
power. They must be encouraged TO
remain, and this encouragement will
be an easy matter They are readily
wrought upon By kindness, and easily
persuaded by eonsiderate attention to
sheir wants Let them have fair wages
as sn inducement 70 hard labor, and
the advantages Of evening schools IS 3
reward for faithful exertion. Beneh-
eencs on the part Of the masters vail
be comparatively inexpensive, but ia
returns in affection, IN fidelity, IN de-
votion to their interests, in gratitude
for their kindness, will be tentoid
Common sense and sound policy dictate
such a course a. the only rational one
for the master to pursue. His arbitrary
power viii be gone, and he must adapt
himself At once and in earnest 70 what
ever course rightly directed Intelligence
may suggest And as emancipation Is
inevitab!e. would it not be well 70 be-
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