Year: 1865

established is worth it all. Nor need any man eX-


pect TINT the Union be restored as it was


lie has more of happiness and security to expect in


the lhlon as 1t will be. We never can have the old


Unl0n until rebellion restores to the homes they left
and to the embraces OF those who loved them the
ga3ent men whom it has slain If peace could
come at once it could not give strength the wasted
and ghastly forms that rebellion has starved in the
filthy dens OF Libby and AndersonviIle 1t cannot
command our burned cities and towns to rise from
their ashes and resume their former beauty and ac
tlyty; nor can it expunge from history eradicate
from memory the evidences Of the savage ierocity
and cruelty Of the rebels


1t may be said with gratitude to the Almighty
that the Nation IS not drifting but marching steadily
to Notwithstanding, it may be- over hard won
battle-liells, but with wonderful rapdity of pro.
gress, stimulated by revolution that never etogrades
The verdict OF the American people, recorded after
careful argument and supported by overwhelming
and unprecedented najorities, speaking through the
constitutional expression of the will of the majority
(frOm which there is no lawful appeal if men were
base enough to desire t is that slavery is the cause
and soul of the rebellion, and that its immediate ex-
tnctiOn and perpetual prohibition are necessary to
the safety and preservation OF the country Hence.
forth and forever, the Government will stand upon


the basis of Justice, and the people, with their per-
ceptions and convictions of the wrongfulness of
human servitude quickened and strengthened by the


fierce assault which that system has made upon their
rights will not rest satisfied until there shall not be
II man upon this continent who has either " the
power the wish to hold slave" 'Charty dc.


tests slavery because it oppresses the inferior race
policy condemns it because it corrupts the superior
race. The moralist calls it a crime the historian and
economist II scourge. 1T is called in question over
the whole surface OF christianity" as the enemy of
prosperity, lrceabor and substantial progress while
III this country it is also regarded us the enemy of


reegoyenment and the rights OF the people The
wonder is that America has not long since followed
the example Of England, France and even Russia


The very month that witnessed the Inauguration of
the present Administrations witnessed also the enull-
cipat0n of twenty millions OF sers in the Russian
Empire How long shall it he said that Il monarchy.
once very despotlr Is more free than representative
democracy


Within II lew days Congress will consider and vote
upon an amendment To the Constitution prohibiting
slavery. II the amendment should lack the requi.
SHE vote ut the present session, there cannot be
doubt OF It's passage at the next session


In view of this iuct it remains for you to consider
what steps you will take with reference to the nsti-
tuition OF slavery in Delaware 1t is in your power
to make Delaware Free State, and earnestly re-
commend that step, as eminently wise and beneficial
The neighborng State of Maryland, having discover
cd the cause that has so long retarded her progress
has adopted immediate and unconditional enancipa.
ton; and in Missouri the experiment of gradual
emancipation has convinced her people that her best
interests demand the immediate abolition Of slavery


l endeavored, in my inaugural Address, to show
that the State of Delaware was ndissouby connect
ed with the Tree States by the cords of geographical
position ana commercial necessity that the Northern
States We're market; that we look TO them for
immigrants and for the consequent increase in the
value OF our real estate; that the result of our con-
slant intercourse with them was gradually to nssimi
has Nv ;foJ
interests that slavery in this State, being merely
nominal, Is worthless element of labor and
that the interests OF the State required that the re-
mains OF this retardng institution should be at once
eradcated.


| am convinced that the last two years have
strengthened my position. BY the emancipation of
Maryland, we become surrounded by free territory
inviting on all sides the escape of our slaves Pre-
carlous as property in persons of will and ree.agen-
cy always Is that species of property is rendered
doubly insecure There is no law of the land re-
curing the rendition Of tugitives from labor Once
escaped to the neghboring border of free territory
the slave is subject to claim OF his former master
In addition to this there is now neither market nor
demand for this species of property. citizen of
Delaware cannot lawfully either import or export
slave. lie who holds slave within the State can.
not sell here, because he who does not hold slave
does not wish to buy.


DelleVe tLat state The conviction OF candid men
OF all parties, when | say, that slavery in Delaware
does not exist as II source of profit that we have all
its disadvantages without its advantages Gf it has
any and that if it could be at once abolished the
value of property would be largely increased. Our
land, naturally fertile and now very cheap, would
attract hundreds of energetic men. who are kept
away only by the nominal existence of slavery, All
that our State wants is infusion OF the energy of
entirely free labor and the utter destruction of the
deadenng and disloynl influence of slavery There
is no explanation other than the influences of this
institution, Of the rapid progress of many OF the