Year: 1860

Mary's, Calvert, Howard, Kent, Baltimore,
Worcester, Somerset Talbot, Queen Anne's,
Prince Georges and Charles Counties"
Said bill has been thrown back to the peo-
pie for their approval Or rejection, and like
everything else, at this day, comes before
the people clad in the habiliments of politics.
Instead of taking proper and impartial
view of this bill, so as to come to some de-
finite and just conclusion as to what dispo-
sition shall be made of it, it will be found,
as is usual here, that the politicians have
raised hue and cry of SANDER and condem-
nation upon the man that framed and intro
duced it into the last Legislature. tits not
my object to endorse this bill, for [ do not
approve of it, but wish to take just and
impartial view of the subject, so as to place
the odious stigma, if there is any connected
with it, where it rightly belongs. The pub
lie are aware, that whilst the last Legisla-
ture was in session, several memorials were
sent from this County to Annapolis, praying
that some action be taken for the better con-
troll and management of the free colored po-
pula ton of this county. There we're also
many other memorials received by the Legis-
lature, from different parts of the State.
aiming at the same end Now, I am liber-
al enough to conclude that this bill, as it
now stands, was framed from the subject
matter contained in these several memorials,
and upon the basis of a compromise made
to suit the representatives of the various con-
stituencies interested in the matter. am
strengthened in this conclusion from the fact
that the representatives from some of the
Eastern Shore counties were in favor of a
much more stringent law, whilst perhaps,
Baltimore and other counties included in the
bill did not desire the passage of law teem-
ing with such harshness and severity, as the
one now in question Again, in submitting
this bill to the people, it seems that the re-
presentatives of the different counties did
not desire the enactment of law that might
not suit their respective constituencies, and
very wisely determined-if they had con-
stitutional right to do so-that the people
should settle this question for themselves,
after having time for future reflection upon
the subject. Whilst the last Legislature
was in session, the free negro question was
favorite topic with the politicians of this
county. They all agreed that our Delegates
should take some step by which the grievan-
ces set forth in their petitions, might be re-
dressed, but they never offered word in
the way of suggesting the means by which
this end could be accomplished; and. now.
when they find that the free negro bill in its
present shape, is unpopular, they are the
first to sing the song of SANDER and condem.
nation against it's framer. Not word have
they yet said, as to how this monstrous
wrong can be corrected. 1t may be said
that / have already written much, that
amounts to nothing, upon this question, but
be that as it may, shall continue to write
until the masses shall no longer be swayed
by the selfish pratings of political dena-
gogues, who are capable Of seizing hold o.
either side of a question, when their own
ambitious ends can be thereby attained
This question is an important and momen,
tous one and the agricultural and mechani.
cal interests of our Stlte demand at the hands
of, the people proper disposition of it
The day that you attempt to enslave the free
colorod population, OR attempt the enforce.
ment Of inhuman, oppressive and tyranical
laws upon them, that day do you lay the
corner stone of Abolitionism in this State
There is no use dodging or evading this
question for whilst it is known that no free
negro Will remain here subject to the op
pressivc features Of this law, is it also known
that the free negroes constitute one third O
our entire agricultural labor. Remove then
and what would follow? White labor, a
advanced rates of hire, would ill their places
the profits of agriculture would be THEREBY
diminished, and lastly would come the tug
of war to be decided at the ballot box. A
before stated, certainly object to this Law
as it now stands, and shall now proceed t.
give my objections.


[ object to Sec l., because it places tn
negro under the control of board of Com
missioners, without exacting from them any
, bond or guarantee for the performance o
their duty, who may cheat, oppress and de
fraud them at their will, leaving the negr'
entirely at their mercy, and without an,
means of redress. object to Sec 9TH, be
cause it requires poor man to give bon'
and security for the negro's hire, when now
it is optional with the negro to live wit


whom he may please and demand securit.
or not as he may think fit. The poor man
under this section, is too much at the mere


of the Commissioners, for he is bound t.
give them such security as they may exact
and pay to them the whole sum when due
whereas. under the present system he Cal
pay the negro his wages in small sums
through the year, as he may chance to hav
it,, thereby, ahording a great convenicnc
both to the negro and himself; should h
not be able to give the required security h
would be thereby deprived of the free negr
labor-the only kind many have any chanc
to procure-entirely.


| object to Sec. g., because it liads ou
children, indiscriminately, from four t.
twelve years of age, at the present time
and hereafter all that are four years Of age
thereby at tender age, tearing asunder al
parental ties and dissolving that parenta
guardianship and fostering care, positively
needed for the rearing up of mankind.
further object TO this section of the bill be-