Description
Slavery Passing Away in Missouri and Kentucky. - The St. Joseph (Missouri) Herald contains the following:
Capt. (Washington T.) Woods, Sheriff of Platte County, was in the city a few days since, and from him we learned something of the negro stampede now going on in the lower counties. During the last 2 months the darkies have been leaving Platte County at the rate of about 30 or 40 per day.
By the census of 1860, Platte County had a slave population of 3,313 and our informant thinks that there are but 200 or 300 hundred left. From all portions of North Missouri we have like information. The slaves are leaving by day and by night. Few owners pretend to stay the exodus. Many pack up their ‘‘duds” and walk boldly off in broad day, while others quietly retire in the night.
Should the flight continue at the present rate, by the time 1866 rolls around, the slaves of the State will scarcely be worth counting."
Upon this the Nashville Union remarks: "The same thing is going on, in a much less degree, in Kentucky. The slaves as a mass are determined to be free; they have caught the spirit of freedom and they will not remain in bondage. Nothing but the establishment of a strong military police, a standing army for the slave owners, will suffice, henceforward, to check the absconding of Negroes. The Fugitive Slave law is dead, and will no longer return a bondman. Let Tennesseans recognize these facts and adapt themselves to the imperative demands of the times. Our peace and prosperity depends upon the speedy removal of slavery from our midst."Date(s) of Creation
9/11/1863
