Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-02-10
The Abolition of Slavery Before
the Kentucky Legislature.

/ On the 10th ult., there was 4 very ins
teresiing debate in the Kentucky Senate
on the subject of the abolition ofslavery.
The debate occurred on the following
resolution, which was offered by Mr..
Cook
"Resolved, That it is the duty of this
Legislature to pass such laws as will most
speedily remedy the demoraized con-
dition of slavery, and SO dignity labor as
to invite free white laborers TO settle in
the State"
The following abstract Of the principal
speeches which were made on this reso-
luton will show the progress Of anti
slavery sentiment in the Kentucky Leg
islature and foreshadows the action OF
that body on the constitutional amend
ment:
Senator Marshall said: This resolution
does not call the mind to contemplate
the amendment of the Constitution of the
United States, but to prepare for it. The
current of events had made the tenure Of
the master to his slave very weak indeed,
and had formed in the State strong
wish for freedom, the enjoyment of which
he was becoming more impatient Of every
day, and, unless we interposed in some
way to control them, we would lose all
their labor at once. We owe il to our
constituents to prepare the State for the
rapidly coming event of universal free
dom. We must do something to retain
this labor in the State, or our whole do
nestle arrangement will be broken up,
and we left not only without field hands,
but even without servants for all and any
labor at ALL Let us, then dignity slave
labor, and by making the transition easy
from system Of slavery to that of free.
dom we " i'll retain this labor in the State,
and will gradually prepare our people
for the tune Of universal freedom, which
is surely coming, and which we cannot
help.
Senator Bristow stated that we could
consider this question from two stand
Npoints. He had come to the conclusion
that the highest interests of patriotism
prompted its utter and total abolition, that
there would be 40 peace until il was done,
and he therefore preferred voting for the
proposition to amend the Constitution of
the United States, bat was not allowed
by the Senate TO do so. The other aspect
was the one presented by the institution
in Kentucky. 1t was wrecked, was in
deed effete and burdensome. Doors were
opened at every point inviting the negro
to pass from slavery to freedom, and
there was no power to close those doors,
or prevent the negro from passing
through them. He wished to remedy
this by persuading the negro to remain
and do our labor-Iabor which must be
done and if not done by the black man
must be left undone--by making him as
near free as il was possible for US to do
TO give the negro every assurance in our
power that we intend TO free him at the |
earliest practicable moment. He would |
then be cured of his impatience to seek |
that freedom by running off, and could be
persuaded by compensation to remain and
cultivate our fields. The largest slave
holders in bis district were now making
contracts with their slaves, paying them
to stay with them. 1t was the only means
of retaining them. He therefore favored
the passage of such laws as would confer
the greatest amount of freedom upon the
slave consistent with the constitution of
Kentucky.
Senator Robinson said this resolution
was of no account, and the committee
which reported II did not need that the
House should pass II in order TO instruct
hem to 60 and bring in bills regulating
he institution; that they had already I
been instructed TO do that thing by an
,ther resolution. He explained that he
would vote against the resolution because
le thought it useless, although be sp-
proved of what the resolution said on its i
ace.
Senator Marshall replied that this res 9
lution was offered in order that the COM
nittee might determine whether it was q
forth while to go on and mature bills /
Or il the Senate intended to kill them, it :
'as useless to offer them for their con- I
liberation. Their vote upon this resolu 5
on would determine their willingness to D
o something in the matter. v
The vote was then taken, and the res s
luton was adopted by IL to 10.
This vote will bring the bills squarely
efore the Legislature, and it also indi- ]
ates that they will be passed. v
The Select Committed of the House =,