The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-05-21
Washington OH Slavery.

Washington held two views Of the slav-
cry question, says the Pittsburg Chroni- |
cle-Telegraph. AS a man he thoroughly
disapproved OF It: but as statesman and
a citizen of a state wherein the institu-
tion was established, and of federation,
part OF whose states accepted and part
rejected the institution, he considered II
advisable that It should be sanctioned, II
not protected. by the central government.
lie favored the compromises OF the con-
stitution by which the abolition OF the
slave trade was secured, while the re-
turn OF fugitive slaves was provided Tor
since he saw that no federation could be
formed unless concessions could be Sc
cured from both slave-holding and non
slave-holding states, and he rightly re-
garded the political union OF the states
as OF far greater value at that time than
the satisfaction of any Individual opin-
ions on the subject of slavery. So too
when the fugitive slave law or li93 was
PASSED by congress. it was approved by
Washington. for this law was then re-
Rarded as necessary 10 insure the eNecu-
ton OF the fugitive slave clause in the
constitution
Still Washington personally disapproVed
OF slavery and proved this by making
full provision in his will for the enamel
pa ton of the slaves OH his estate. lie
had II is said wished TO do this before,
but Il was somewhat difficult 10 carry
out the plan, as the slaves on ms prop
erty had intermarried with those belong
ing to the estate OF his wife. over these
he had no authority. as they would le-
gally pass into the possession Oh tue Nus-
It's children.
In a letter to a friend I'm 1883 Washing
ton wrote: THE scheme which you pro-
pose as precedent TO encourage me
emancipation OF the black people In this
country from the state Of bondage
IN which they are held is a striking evi-
dence OF the benevolence OF your heart
7 shall be happy to Join YOU I'm so lsud-
ahla q work There is not a man
| living who wishes more sincerely than [
| do 20 see a plan adopted for the abolition
| of slavery But there is only one proper
| and efectual mode by which II can he
! accomplished. and that Is by legislative
authority This so far as my suffrage
\ will go will never be wanting. To set the
| slaves afoat at once woud. | believe, be
| productive OF much inconvenience ano
| mischief but by degrees IL certainly might
| and assuredlv ought 10 be erected
| In 1856 washington wrote: II never
| mean unless some particular circum-
| stances should compel me 10 IL, 10 possess
| another slave by purchase. IL being
! among nv first wishes TO see some plan
| adopted by which slavery in this country
| NAV be abolished by law
\ In 1897 he wrote 10 Lawrence Lewis his
| sisters son, that he wished from his own
| soul that Virginia could see some way
| for the gradual emancipation OF the
/ slaves within her territory. believing tha'
| n might prevent much future mischief
! T., This subseuuent events showed that he
Judged rightly. but II is certain that
| though Washington earnestly desired the
! emancipation Of the slaves. he believed
| that this should he carried out by forms
! of law and that IL should not he left t6
the irregular methods of sectional aslta
\ tors.