The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-10-20
PAYMENT for Eia,ancipated
Slaves.

PAYMENT for Ensancipated
slaves.
Extract from Hon. John A. J. Creswcl' $
great speech, at the mass meeting, in Monu'
ment Square, Baltimore, Oct ith. In dis
cussing the Constitutional Amendment, pro-
posed by Congress, Mr.. Creswell said:
"But it is in the last section that the peo
pie of MARYLAND have the most direct inter
est Besides securing the National debt
and relieving us from the Rebel debt, it pro-
hibits compensation by either the United
States or amy State for the loss or cmancipa-
ton Of any slave. | well remember those
words of Abraham Lincoln, meant to be
words of congratulation for Maryland
emancipation, but, in spite of himself, pro
phcsying coming evil maryland is secure
to liberty and Union for all the future. The
genius of rebellion will no more claim Mary
land. Like another foul spirit, being driven
out, it may seek to tear her, but it will WOO
her no more The day of fuliment has
come. The foul spirit has returned to tear
her The genius of rebellion, whom we be-
licvcd dead and buried, has been Johnson
lied into new life, and, with its accustomed
arrogance, again demands compensation for
former slave owners have organized move
mcnt for the capture of Maryland, resolved,
if they succeed, that they will impose ran
som of $50, 900, 900 viii they do it? Turn
II, lie Of lnta of
and see the spirit that animated them then.
When section 50 of the Sd article of the
Constitution, which prohibits ssieneral
Assembly from passing any law or making
any appropriation to compensate for eman-
cipatcd slaves, was under consideration, Mr..
Davis, of Charles, moved to amend by strlk.
ing out all after tn word Assembly and
inserting, Shall pass laws making appro-
priations to justly compensate the masters OF
claimants of slaves cmancipatcd from SER
tude by the adoption Of this Constitution,
and every Democrat voted forit, whilst every
| Union man voted against it, thus defeating ii
| by Is 10 80. (Sec del a'cs Of Convention, page
OLD GA Il motion by Mr.. Jones, of Som
ersct, to postpone, the result was the same.
On a motion by Mr.. Dent, of st. Mary's, to
strike out the original proposition, a like re,
suit was had; and on the vote on the aaop.
ton Of the section as it stands every Union
man voted aye and every Democrat no.
Undctcrrod by this signal defeat, effort.
were subsequently, made to ensure Il registra
ton Of all ma.umttcl slaves, giving then
number, ages, names and sex, looking tc
future action for compensation, but always
without success, owing to the preponderatlne
Union vote against them.
Thus it will be seen that the people o
Maryland are indebted to the Union party
alone for the security they now have agains
this crushing burden in the shape Of $780,
900, 600. or more, Of State debt.
That the shareholders still cherish Thu
purpose j., notorious in the former slav,
counties. Many avow it, though some den.
that they would do more than divert thu
school fund to their uscs-which, if posi-
bic, would he worse than the imposition o
an additional tax,
HOW Il LAX Oh SScU,UUJ.UbU, 10 lnucHinll,
former slave owners, would affect the oil,
free section consisting of Baltimore city ant
the counties of Allegany, Washington Fred
crick, Carroll, Baltimore, Hartford and Cecil
may be readily computed when it is mad
known that they have two-thrds of the as
scSsable property Of the State, and had i,
1860 but one seventh IF the slaves. The
would be required to raise $40, 000, 900, Wills
their slaves would be computed Mt a littl
more than $4,000 In Baltimore city
with two.ftths of all the property and bu
one fortieth of all the slaves the injustice G
such II measure would be more hagrant.-
She would be required to raise $4,000, 90
of the fund, and would receive for her slave
only S7j0,000
Against this monstrons wrong, it is true
we have now the protection Of our Stat
Constitution, but this MAY he amended by
: cciitths vote of the two Houses of tn
Legislature, provided majority of the pee
pie afterwards approve it. But the Const
tutioual amendment proposed by Congress
if adopted, will place the whole subject
r rest forever, and preclude all possibility
: such an outrage"