Milwaukee (WI) Sentinel, "Another Stampede of Slaves," September 17, 1863

EMANCIPATION IN MARYLAND.

   [From the Cumberland Civilian and Telegraph.]

                        EMANCIPATION.

            Early in the Summer we informed our readers that one of the most important subjects that would claim their attention during the Fall campaign, would be that of emancipation. It is now made manifest. The nomination of the HON. H. II. Goldsborough and Wm. L. W. Seabrook by the Union League Convention is based upon the subject of emancipation and he call of a State Convention, to both of which measures we give out hearty and unequivocal support. We do this because we believe that materials interest of Maryland will be greatly advanced by their success. We are aware that some who claim to be devotedly attached to the preservation of the Government, and are anxious for the speedy and complete suppression of the Rebellion, and opposed to the discussion at this time of what they are pleased to term side issues, and especially to the subject of emancipation; claiming as they do, that the war has completely doomed Slavery in Maryland, at least, if it has not in the entire slaveholding States; and that, therefore, as the agitation of emancipation in the State would have a tendency to destroy the harmony and break up the unity of the Union party, it should not be insisted upon at this time.

            Granting to these gentlemen all honesty for their views, we must beg leave to differ from them in total. The views of those who desire to rid Maryland of Slavery by proper constitutional and loyal enactment, is that loyal men – slaveholders who, in view of the certain destruction of this interest by the war inaugurated by the traitors, have stood up unflinchingly for their country— should not lose all they possess of slave property, but should be to a certain extent indemnified for the loss to which the rebels have subjected them by the depreciation, and perhaps, entire loss, of all they possess of the description of property referred to. If there is nothing done— no legal measure adopted by which their slaves can be manumitted, and they indemnifies, and the same spirit of stampeding is carried on that is now in progress, by the time the war is over, Slavery may indeed cease to exist in the State, and loyal slaveholders will be in the same category with the disloyal, for both will have lost their slaves. This the Emancipationists wish to prevent. That we are not mistaken as to the probable exodus of the entire slave population from our State, it is only necessary to refer to what is daily taking place in our midst, as chronicled by the journals of our State. We quote the following, which have recently appeared.

                                                ANOTHER STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.

            Within the past week a large number of slaves have absconded from different parts of this country our own neighborhood contributing to some extent, to the exodus. At the rate at which this thing has been going on for some time past, our country must soon be drained of this species of population. – Knoxville Register.

            Now, in view of such startling facts as is the above, is it not madness in the owners of slave property to oppose a system of emancipation which will secure to them at least a small portion of the interest they have to such property? Such is our view on the subject independently, therefore of the great advantages which we think will certainly inure to the State from the abolishment of the slave institution, we advise and counsel our fellow slaveholders to give this Emancipation project their hearty support.

                                                STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.

            Almost every day we hear of a new stampede of slaves in our county. Indeed, so frequent have they become of late, that no surprise or comment is excited hereby. Our people seem to have settled into a state of apathy and indifference upon the subject – The latest case we have heard of came off on Sunday night last.

            Some fifteen or more negroes, (men, women and children,) belong to persons residing in and near Cedar Point Neck, absconded that night, and breaking open a barn took out a flat-bottomed boat, which they carried to the creek and thus made their escape. One gentleman, we understand, lost on this occasion eleven of his negroes. During the past week not less than fifty negroes from this vicinity have run off, and in several cases masters have been left without hands to work and secured their growing crops. – Port Tobacco Times.