SUEGEONS' REPORTS — MARYLAND — SECOND DISTRICT. 351 



by iiigbt, tbe walling up the waters of tlie Red Sea, tlu^ falling of tlie inantia, the gnsliing of sweet 

 water from the roeU, all those wonders that followed them in their wanderings throngh tiie desert 

 failed togive them faith iu their omnipotent leader. The lightning, the thunder, the smoke, the 

 quaking of Mount Sinai, and the presenee of Jehovah were necessary to teach this stiff necked 

 and stiiLiboru people the majesty and glory of their maker and preserver. Why should we think 

 the colored race too low in the scale of humanity ever to be elevated above their present low and de- 

 gradeil condition ? Are they not in. mortal ? Have they not the capacity for mental improvement? 

 If so, when did we expect their education to commence'? Statesmen and divines thought and 

 taught, wheu the colony in Liberia was founded, that the mysterious providence of their being 

 brought here was being cleared up. But it was found impracticable to arouse the mind of the 

 negro to appreciate the bright prospect held up to him; a home in Liberia was no inducement; ho 

 could not realize his manhood; all efforts failed to rouse him from his lethargy; and the jihilanthro- 

 pist was at fault. A deei)er darkness than ever hung over the ini[)enetrable mystery of his con- 

 dition. The civil war came; the armed heel of rebellion was raised to fasten heavier chains upon 

 the lu'gro. The white man's need iu the fiery trial made the coloied man a soldier; for the first 

 time, he realized his rUjhts as a man ; the duties of a soldier taught him the right of self-defense; 

 he felt his strength, and coped with mau as man. In a sh.ort time, military life will teach him to 

 value the liberty and appreciate the rights of which ho has been so long deprived, and which be 

 can now enjoy. At the same time, though, he will learn that the two ra(!es are antagonistic, but 

 be will quickly be made to feel the strong white arm, teaching him that true freedom is to labor 

 and receive the reward therefor, and to render strict obedience to the law. 



His constitution will admirably fit him for military service in the southern portion of our 

 country. To gratify the aspirations of his now awakened mind, he will seek a land where he can 

 sit under his own vine and lig-tree, with none to make bim afraid; his wile and children will be 

 around him, and be will feel that be is their protector and provider. The war will be found to 

 have accomi)lished that which before had been tried in vain. If the love of freedom, equality of 

 rights, and hope of advancement, if not for himself^ yet for bis little ones, induced the downtrod- 

 den of Europe to seek our shores, is there no reason to hope a similar effect may lead to similar 

 results in the mind of the colored man, and that he nr.iy be led to seek a home in his native Africa, 

 where the foundation of a mighty empire has already been laid by the Colonization Society '? Is 

 this too wonderfuH Four millions of people have been freed iu a day. Six years ago who would 

 have believed such a thing possible? Should this r««ult not follow, yet to watch the consequences 

 of freedom upon the colored race will be well worth the attention of the man of science, and be 

 deeply interesting to the physician. The latter will scrutinize the effects of mental development 

 upon the negro as regards disease, and may thereby add to our scanty knowledge of the reciprocal 

 action of mind and matter. 



Many foreigners iu Maryland have purchased houses and lands under ground-rent, yet claim 

 the privilege of alienage, notwithstanding they never intend leaving the United States. Q'hese 

 persons enjoy all privileges of citizens except the right of voting. By the law of Maryland, real 

 estate can only be held for one year by an alien unless he declare his intention of becoi;:ing a citi- 

 zen. To avoid liability to military service, they buy leasehold property. If practicable, such per- 

 sons should be uuide liable to draft. 



The duties of the commissioners should be more specifically defined ; to them should be given 

 the enrollment, and they should be held responsible for all records connected with the enrollment 

 and the draft. All enrollments should be made alphabetically, thereby saving much time and 

 labor. Books similar to bank check-books should be used for all exemptions. 



Surgeons of boards of enrollment only receive the pay and emoluments of assistant surgeons 

 in the Army, exclusive of fuel and quarters. Surgeons are required by the law to be licensed and 

 practicing jdiysicians and surgeons. Thej are the only professional men necessarily in the board. 

 The provost-marshal and comnnssiouer had to learn their duties; but the law recpiired the surgeon 

 to be prepared to perform the duties of his responsible jwsition on taking his office, yet he receives 

 less pay for his services than the ])rovost-nuushal, and only the same pay as the commissioner, 

 the former being also entitled to three months' extra i)ay alter his discharge. Snrgeons cannot 

 bold their offlcial position, and fait.htally perform the duties, withont materially affecting their pri- 



