Year: 1862

BILL.


On the 18th Of December last, Mr.. Wilson
introduced In the Senate Of the United States
bill for the release Of certain persons held to
service or labor in the District Of Columbia
On the 10th Of the same month the bill was
twice read and formally referred to the Com.
mittee on the District. On toe 18th of the
present month Il was reported by Mr.. Morrill,
with certain amendments.


The fret section Of the act borrows the
phraseology Of the immortal ordinance of 1887
From and after the passage Of this act, neither
slavery nor Involuntary eervitude, except fol
crime. whereof the party shall be duly con
victed, shall hereafter exist 10 said District"


The second section enacts that all persons
loyal to the United States, after declaring their
allegiance, on the proper prese sentation of their
claim, shall receive an amount equal to three
hundred dollars for each person shown to have
been held by lawful claim.


The 6ual section appropriates sum not to
exceed one million of dollars to carry the act
into effect.


The elaborate report which accompanies the
bill, submits the following forcible points:


That II Is unbecoming that human bondage
should be legalized in the capital of free
nation.


That 1t is an offence to the moral sense of
the diplomacy of the Christian nations Of the
earth.


That the institution is at variance with the
traditions Of the people, and the fundamental
principles Of our Government, and that It was
never intended by It's founders that II should
spread into the territory of the nation.


II cites the annual message of Mr.. Jefferson,
In 1906, in which he congratulates the country
on The prospect of the overthrow of the slave
trade, and all further participation In the VIC.
lation Of human rights. Also, the act of Con.
sress passed in 1908, prohibiting the importa.
ton Of negro slaves, and the act Of 1850, to
suppress the internal slave trade in the District
Of Columbia.


The report closes with the declaration tha,
the absolute suppression Of the trafac In the
District, accompanied by the emancipation oi
any slave brought into the District by It's own
er. contrary to the provisions Of this act, Is q,
once the vindication Of . principle, and the
assertion Of power which find their natural
expression In . measure for the abolition of
slavery therein.


The logic and morality Of a law applicable to
any country or locality, providing that slaves
are not to be regarded as subject to transfer and
sale, is virtual abolition.


The bill Is perfect in all its parts. II is the
great eocial, humane, and religious movement
Of the day, for its bearing is practical, and not
theoretical.


In social point of view, 1t will Introduce
reform to some extent, at present not to be
fully appreciated.


1t will gradually emancipate and dignity
human labor, removing therefrom the inky
stain Of involuntary serviiude, and obliteratinp
the artificial and oppressive lines Of master and
serf-the last social relic of feudal DAYS. II
will open fields of enterprise for new popu.
lation, and supplant our preseut antique and
Objectionable system of labor.


In humane and religious point Of view, II
is but the vindication Ct principle ss old as
the rights Of man, and supporting the founda,
tions Of the entire structure OF Gospel equality.


Brand It with what opprobrious name you
please, II Is but the re-enunciation of the great
golden maxim, do unto others as you would
they should do unto YOU" sentiment only to
be uttered in free air and among free people,
and only properly valued by the man who can
acknowledge brotherhood In man.