Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-08-28

I3iooouli iulO luC SOuiCQSlaCS
act recognizes the Government in Mis-.
tsouri of which Claibospe F. Jackson is Chief
tMagistrate.
Gen. ochiltree, of Texas5irtroduced res.
olution, which was unanimously adopted,
comp! F!imenting.the Stale fepsthe splendid vic
tory obtainedsby Gen. McCulloch and his
brave army, at the battle of Oak Hill, near
Springfield, Missouri.
l.
From the lAbbcrille Independent Press.
Enrolment of Free Negroes.
On motion of Mr. Branch, the Ordinance
providing the enrolment OF free negroes,
before introduced, was taken up.
iMr9BRooKH.-On the daT, left home, II
had q: :colversation with the luartermaster in
relation to this very subject, and he expressed
strong desire ttat such all ordinance as |
find before the Convention should be passed.
1 know the fact to my knowledge, which was
commented upon by him, that in the neigh
borhood Of Manassas junction and in the
counties around that point, there are large
numbers of able bodied free negroes who are
capable of rendering efficient service as team
sters; but all efforts made in that section to
engage their services III. such capacity has
proved entirely unarailing. From some cause,
they have shown great indisposition to en-
gage in that service, though pay has been
offered them as fully as could reasonably be
expected. 1t strikes me that this Law will
accomplish the desired object. 1t will bring
into the service of the State a large and 7alu.
able acquisition in their capacity.
1 find here that the provision is that they
should not be detained for longer period
than thirty days. move that thirty" be
stricken out and "ninety" inserted in its
stead.
Mr.. ClIAMBI1ss-would suggest that sixty
days will be long enough.
Mr.. BRooxE-I accept tie amendment.
The amendment was then adopted, aud the
question occurring upon the passage OF the
ordinance, it was decided in the affirmative.
The above, Messrs. Editors, is taken from
the Richmond Enquirer Of the 7th, and we
would ask, why cannot some use be made Of
the free negroes in our Stale during the pres
ent crisis, if not in time of peace? There
are about 10000 free blacks in this State.
Out of this number four or five hundred
might be employed usefully in some way by
the authorities, thus proving an advantage to
the State and improving their own condition.
Including women and boys more than thou
sand of these people might be employed in
the service of the State either in attending
our army in Virginia as cooks, wagoners, OF
washers, or in throwing up defences on our
own coasts. We have thousands Of rich men
and poor men in Virginia who are digging
and lifting heavy timbers, forming breas!works
to resist the progress Of the invaders, and &c
our own State should be invaded, our boys
and old mon may be called to the coast to dig
and wllce! dirt and rocks, to lifs henvy logs
and sandbags to protect Themselves, their
own iresides and the tlresidcs of the free ne
groes against invasion. If SO, why should
not the free blacks be called on to bear hand
in this work? Why not give them "place
in the picture" and make theln feel that they
arc Of some use TO the State? Why should
they be exempt while white men who cannot
afford 10 be absent from home, are called
away for months TO tell and sweat, to be en-
posed to burning sun by day, to drcnchirs
rain, to dcws and frosts by night, and ere
long 10 the slcct aud SHOW and storms of
Northern winter, Subsistiug good part Of
the tine on poor scanly fare, aud exposed to
tho deadly aim OF all insulting foe, or amid
chains and hand-cuila in gloomy dungeons ?
Why should the white men be thus exposed
| 10 defend their homes and their families black
and white, while the free blacks are allowed
to stand alool and take no part on the work?
If our free colored people have home It's
in this State, they should be required to
do something for the dc!ence Of their homes
as well as other people. Many of them need
employment, and they need some one to con-
troll their labor. Thcy might be paid seven.
eisht or ten dollars per month, figure lower
than men can afford to hire their servants 10
throw up entrenchments.
II it were necessary or proper at this time
might show that our free colored population
could be made an 'arm of the State, could
be employed as tanners, stone and brick m;.-
sons, &C., &C., and thus prove q benefit to tie
State and to themselves. OF this at another
time. At present, it seems to us that they
should have something to do in the present
struggle. 1t would make them safer and bet
ter citizens to .,ecl, and have it to say, that
they helpecl to rout the Yankees, for il the
Yankees should subjuga,e the South the free
negroes will fare but middling at their hands.
II.