St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-10-24
THURSDAY, OCTOBER -

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seek to enforce his claim; it shall be 4 full and
sufficient answer to such claim that the person
whose service or labor is claimed, had been
employ ed in hostile service against,the govern
men, Of the United States, contrary to The pro-
visions of this act.
1t will be observed that the section:
above quoted, simply provides that any
person claiming slave, who shall require
or permit him to take up arms against the
United States, or to be employed on any
military or naval works against tho Gov.
crnment, shall forfeit his claim to such la
Tor. This section virtually provides that
all slaves who are actually employed in the
service Of the rebel army shall be free
But there it stops. The law does not
place any limitations or restrictions, what
ever, upon the military power of the gov
ernmcnt. 1t says what shall be done in
given case, but it does not con6nc the ac-
ton Of the Government to the case stated
in the law. In all other cases than those
enumerated, the law remains precisely as
it was before the passage Of the act above
cited. @'.-
What then is the law on this subject :?
and what are the lawful powers Of the
Commanding General? ..<. ..
1t is as clearly defined as any principle
of the law of nations, that, in times Of
war, a General has
1.-The right of weakening the enemy, for dis
abling him from all means Of rss,s;o"ce,
Hence arise, as from their principles, all the
rights Of war with regard to things belonging
to the enc N.Y. "A nation has right to de-
rrive the enemy Of his possessions. and goods,
Of everything which may augment his forces
and enable him to make war; Kattels Lau
Of Nations, poge 34l. ........ ....-..-......t
These principles apply with the same
force to those who are engaged in this re.
beIlion with which they apply to foreign
enemy, for the same author defines the en-
emy to BE- ~ I" n. ..". =,
"Ee with whom the nation is at open war
"a private enemy is one who seeks to hurt us,
and takes pleasure in it. A public enemy for
ces claims against US, or rejects ours, and
maintains his real or pretended rights by force
Of arms" ~ 's ~" q ...@
That part Of the proclamation of Gen
Frcmont to which you direct my attention
is as follows: ~ y w.n,.1..~ .g ,-.t.......
"The property, real and personal, of all per-
sons in the State Of Missouri, who, shall take
up arms against the United States, or who
shall be directly proven to have taken part
with their enemies, in the field, is declared to
be coni.cated to the public use, and their
slaves, if any they have, are declared to be
free men,"
The principles Of the law Of nations,
above cited, confer upon the commanding
officer the undoubted legal right to assume
the position taken by Gen. Fremont. The
question, and the only question, then, left
for US to determine is, was it policy for
him to assume that position? / am equal
ly clear that uron the simple question OF
policy Gen: Fremont was right. Nobody
seems to call in question tn, propriety Of
that part of the proclamation which dc.
clarcs that "the property, real and perso.
nal, of all persons in the State Of Missouri
who shall take up arms against the United
States, or shall be directly proven to have
taken part with their eaemics in the fold
is declared conGscatcd to the public use
But as regards that portion which relates
to slaUe property, there seems to be won.
dcrful sensitivencss, even here at the
North. We are told we must pay out our
millions like water raise, equip, end send
into the field 4 fabulous number Of men,
and march from one bloody battle field tv
another, until rebellion is crushed ont; bu;
we must not interfere with tee sacred in.
ssitution Of slavery. We my take lands
and gools, aal houses, money, AMI all
kin Is Of property belonging to the rebels,
but it will not do at all to interfere with
property iii Man, .t'> .".@ -..~,.s ..
Now, gentlemen, let me ask YOU what
there is so peculiarly sacred about this in
stitution of slavery that itshould command
our special protection and regard?- What
has it done for our country, humanity or
religion, that it should be looked upon with
so much reverence, ana be singled out as
the last thing to be surrendered in order
to save the country from ruin? Why this
very rebellion which is now costing US 50
many lives and so much money was gotten
up in the interests Of slavery. q 1t is the
shareholders who arc st.bbing ut the heart
Of ths nation to-lay. and it is because Of
the institution Of slavery that these mon
sters are engaged in their wicked work Of
destruction. Slavery is the chief corner
stone of the rebellion which is working to
destroy the country. The black slaves of
the South are to-day furnishing all the
sincWs IF war for the traitors. They
raise all the grain and. provisions nth
which all their munitions Of war are sup-
piled. .,,s,,sy-,a..a
In my judgment We have temporizcd
with this matter too long already We
have been afraid that VI mr. sht Offend
somebody, whilst the enemy, taking ad!
vantage Of our uncertain. yacillatint 8 poll
CIV has hann rlnidlv uaininn strnnarth ..l