slavery in Maryland in a totally different light
from what I regard slavery in those semi-
barbarous countries, where they exist in such
large numbers; and where the opportunities
of civilization and Christianity have not been
enjoyed lo the same extent, that they have
been, and will continue to be, in the State of
Maryland. Instead of the negroes becoming
worthless and degraded, and vagabonds, I
anticipate that they will remain with their
kind and benevolent masters, those who have
protected them through life, and under whose
guidance and protection they will still be
willing to remain and labor. Gentle men ask
with a sort of an air of false philanthropy—
what is to become of the young children and
the poor old men and women? Are they to be
turned out upon the cold charities of the
world to get a living the best way they can?
Now, I venture to say, when emancipation
occurs in Maryland, if it ever does occur, and
as I believe it surely will, when this Consti-
tution is presented to the people for ratifica-
tion—that the old servants will still remain
with their former masters; that the young
negroes, that are now about your farm yards,
your houses, and in your cities and towns,
will still remain with their masters provided
they are willing to let them remain upon the
condition of receiving a bumble and moderate
pittance as some return for the labor they
may perform for their masters. It will not,
in my estimation, absolve the correlative duty
that now exists on the part of the master to
the slave, it is true it will dissolve the legal
relation. But who is there who has enjoyed
the labor and services of an old confiden-
tial slave, from the time when his labor
was valuable up to this day, who would be
willing to turn him out, as he would an old
horse on the common, to pet through the
rest of his life as he best could? No, sir,
our instincts are better than that. No such
passions, no such opinions, no such emotions
will control us. But on the contrary, we.
would still guard and protect them as we did
when they wore our slaves.
As a matter of course it will increase the
obligation of the slave to be obedient and
faithful, knowing that the relation of master
and slave is dissolved; knowing that there is
no longer the legal duty imposed upon the
roaster to protect, and clothe, and feed, and
care for him. He will then have nothing to
depend upon except his own good conduct, had
that will be a sufficient, incentive to fidelity
and good behavior. And the same .rule will
apply to the able-bodied among them. ln-
stead of going abroad and setting for them-
selves, they will remain with their inasters
and continue to labor, though perhaps in a
somewhat different attitude from that in which
they had been wont to da in former days;
will. receive perhaps at least bread, meat,
clothing and protection, if nothing more.
That will be the result, in my opinion. |
Then if it is necessary to control by strin-
gent laws this race which is about to be let
loose in our State, let the legislature pass
such laws as may be necessary to confine them
within proper limits. I think there is already
enough legislation upon the statute book in
relation lo free negroes. But if it is necessa-
ry to bind the cord still tighter, let the legis-
lature at its next session, or at any subse-
quent session, inaugurate such laws as will
mure effectually guard against the resalts
contemplated and anticipated by those who
are opposing this emancipation scheme. It
will place that Whole class of our population
upon a different basis. They will no longer
be governed by the eye of their master, not
curing whether they render a return for his
kindness, and care and protection. But when.
that relation is dissolved, and when they find
they halve nothing to depend upon except
their own good conduct, and their own .
fidelity, their actions will be controlled by
different influences and different impulses.
They will then know. and perhaps the
first time in their existence, will experience,
and appreciate the reality of self-reliance and.
the necessity for future probity and fidelity
in the new sphere of life upon which they are
about to embark, and fur the success of which
they must mainly depend for their maintenance
and support; and by that principle
they will be guided and governed in their
intercourse with the whites, who they will
ever regard as their superiors and bene-
factors.
I think that with reference to the subordi-
nation of this particular race, they are about
the same everywhere. I have grown up with
the institution in the State of Maryland. I
have witnessed its operations, and had some
experience of it in the Southern States for a
period of fourteen or fifteen years; I have
watched its operations there. I have seen
it in South America, in Brazil, in Rio Ja-
neiro, and I have seen but little difference
in them any" here. so far as regards their pe-
culiar characteristics. I have no doubt there-
fore that the best results can be attained by
the adoption of a prompt, firm and humane
system of police in the State of Maryland.
The same result was my experience in Missis-
sippi, as in Rio Janeiro, where there is a mix-
ed population of free and slave. In Brazil
I have seen slavery in all its primitiveness.
I have seen there the native African with the
tattooed brand upon his cheek, fresh from
the sandy wilds of Africa. I halve seen the
semi-Portuguese among them. I have seen the
race in its purity, and in a mixed state, and
their instincts seems to be everywhere the
same. They Cain ever be controlled, not by
harsh and violent measures, but by a mild and
firm discipline. In the city of Rio Janeiro I
have seen a long train of freemen and slaves,
arrayed together indiscriminently in the eve-
ning counting their "dumpts and vinctons," |
