Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-13
Gbe Aaitp annrnaG
EVANSVILLE. IND. '''1'
WEDNESDAY :. .DEcEMBER Is.
KeniuckY q Free STATE.

We publish in another place one OF |
the most remarkable public documents |
ever promulgated in our adjoining and |
sister State of Kentucky. 1t is no more
nor less than proclamation announc-
ing that, henceforth and forever, inyol-
untary -servitude, except for crime, is
abolished in that Commonwealth. Gen.
Palmer says, enough is known to war
rant the statement that the amendment
to the Constitution, prohibiting slavery
within the boundaries of the United
States, has been ratified by the Legisla-
lures of three .fourths of the States, and
it. is henceforth the law of the land.
Therefore, says the General, Slavery
has now ceased in Ken lucky, and with
it fall all the laws of the State heretofore
in force intended fer its support.
1t is difficult matter to comprehend
the yastness of this social change, and
the consequences likely to grow ont OF
it. One of its first effects-unless the
people Of KENNEDY sze infatuated to an
extent hard to realize, and refuse to ac-
cept the result of the constitutional
Amendment-will be settlement OF
the labor question in that State. The
relation of master and servant is deb
nitely determined, and each will at once
prepare to accommodate himself to the
change. The former master will be
prepared to cfer, and the former slave
TO accept, fair compensation for services
rendered, and the two will cooperate in
developing the resources of the State
and adding to its wealth.
Another result will be a removal OF
the uneasiness which has hitherto pre-
vailed among the Kentucky slayes-an
uneasiness manifested in ieverish
anxiety to be changing their location.
Realizing that they are as free and in,
dependent in Kentucky as in any other
State of the Union, they will prefer to
remain there, and secure such reward
for their labor as it will be to the inter
est of their former mas ers to allow
them. They will, unless we greatly
mistake their character, become ani>
mated by a leudable ambition to i'm
prove their circumstances by becoming
freeholders and taxpayers. The negro
has always been remarkable for his
attachment TO localities, and when be is
able toScaiI particular patches of ground
and particular cabins his own, his at
tachment to the soil will be greatly in.
tensifed, and his exertions to improve
and add to their value greatly increased.
Another result will be apparent, we
think, in the removal of the bitterness OF
feeling that now exists in the minds and
hearts o. the Shareholders, as q class,
against their former slaves. For some
time past, they have nominally had
controllof their negroes, and yet have
been utterly unable to secure that obe-
dience to- which their relation seemed to
entitle them. : This has had tendency
to irritate them to such an extent as to
rake them look upon their servants
with the worst possible feelings, and in
turn made their servants saucy and UNI
manageable. The official declaration of
freedom, to all the slaves will break up
the former irritating relation, and mas
terz, looking upon their negroes as free
men, will treat them in such manner
as to win their confidence aud slaves,
no longer regarding their masters as
attempting to exercise over them an I'M
WArrantable authority, viii be disposed
to carry out their wishes in more
cheerful and agreeable spirit. = AiA
Still another result, beneficial to
Kentucky, blythe adoption of the 0onsti-
tutionAl Anendment and the abolition
OF slavery; win be the attraction she
viii have for foreign and native born
immigrants; No State in tbs. Union
possesses greater or more attractive
Inducements to the poor man seeking
pleasant home, than Kentucky. With
a salubrious climate, soil unusually
fertile, and mineral resources rich be-
yond all calculation, Kentucky offers
advantages to immigrants presented
by few other States in the Union
With slavery abolished and free labor
given airplay these resources would b
developed, and the State would increase
in wealth with q .rspidity never dreamed
of by the adherents of her former
policy. IA s...s......n
These results are not unpleasant &c
contemplate, and we should think would
20 far towards alternating all bitterness
of fsslin Ga he par Of, those who thnl
have prosperity and happiness forced
upon them contrary to their wishes. ).
Evansville ia vitality interested in the
prosperity of Kentucky, and her citi;
gems may well rejoice that the blight
which has paralyzed the energies ofsthat
State has been removed. We may look
to her, now, las destined to econtribute
yet more largely To- our commercial
prosperity, because the dark dividing
line that has hitherto, to some extent,
prevented that cordially which shoald
exist between thetwo States, will have
been removed, and we will be bound
together in the bonds of mutual interest
and prosperity. Our merchants should
cultiyate this spirit of eordiality and
good will, because the way is now open
for them .toidoso. as it has never been
before. .AE&F0gT s1IFVeTsEg
COMMISSIONERS APPoINTED. The fol-
lowing Commissioners of Deeds for,ths
State of Indiana in other States were
appointed BY Governor BakeFTon, Fri
days rsrs fs@r-* 4 =, lbssesgg g. i s~f % & .