The Slave owners in Maryland have become thoroughly alarmed at the frequent stampedes of their slaves, and the consequent insecurity of that species of property. They are holding conventions, especially in the border counties, to devise measures to remedy that evil. The Baltimore American says that something more than speaking and resolving will have to be done, or the insecurity of slave property will result in the extinguishment of slavery in the State. It attributes the present condition of affairs to the regular system adopted by Northern Abolitionists, who seem to have perfected the underground road, and to the presence of free negroes in the State. The latter is a very undesirable element in the State, and is increasing daily; we should not be surprised if, within two years, compulsory legislation should be resorted to exile free negroes from the State. The American recommends a border police as the most effectual and mildest measure that can be devised to remedy the evil.
Lancaster (PA) Daily Evening Express, September 7, 1858, p. 2