The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-05

carry on warfare against the government in
peace and security to their own property?
Reason and justice and self preservation for
bid that such should be the policy of this Gov
eminent, but demand, on the contrary, shat, be-
ing forced by traitors and rebels to the extremi-
ty OF war, all the rights and powers of war,
should be exercised to bring it to speedy end.
those who make war against the Government
justly forfeit all rights Of property, privilege,
or security, derived from the Constitution and
laws, against which they are in armed rebellion ;
and as the labor and service of their slaves con-
stltute the chief property Of the rebels, such
property should share the common fate of war
to which they have devoted the property of 10y
al citizens.
While it is plain that the slave property of
the South is justly subjected to all the conse-
quences OF this rebellious war, and that the
Government would be untrue to its trust in not
employing all the rights and powers of war to
Drlng 1t TO speedy close, the details of the
plan tor doing 50, like all other military meas
ures, must, in great degree, be left to be de-
termlned by particular exigencies. The dispo.
sltlon OF other property belonging to the rebels
that becomes subject to our arms is governed bv
the circumstances of the CASE The Govern
ment has no power to hold slaves, none to re-
strain slave of his liberty, or to exact service.
1t has right, however, to use the voluntary
service of slaves liberated by war from their
rebel masters, like any other property of the
rebels, IN whatever mode may be most efficient
Tor the defense OF the Government, the prosecu-
tlon OF the war, AID the suppression OF the re-
oeAlon' 1t is as clearly right OF the Govern
ment to arm slaves when it may become ncces-
saEy as 1t Is to use gunpowder taken from the
enemy. Whether it is expediant to 90 so is
purely military question. The right is un-
questionable by the laws Of war. The exDedi.
enoy must be determined BY circumstances, Keep
ing In view the great object OF overcoming the
rebels, re. establishing the laws, and restoring
peace to the nation.
1t is vain and idle for slo Government 10 car-
ny on this war, or hope to maintain its exist
ence against rebellions force, without employ.
ing all the rights and powers o. war. AS has
oten SAID, the right 70 deprive The rebels of their
property IN slaves and slave labor, IL as clear
ana absolute, as the right TO take foraas from
me held, OR cotton from the warehouse or VOW.
DER auo arms from the magazine. To leave tho
enemy ID the possession of such property as To-
rage and cotton and military stores, and the
means OF constantly reproducing them, would
10 madness 1t Is, therefore, equal madness to
leaVe thcm IN peaceful and secure possession of .
save property, more valuable and efficient 10
them Tor war, than forage, cotton and military
s s Such policy would be national suicide.
hat to do with that species of property, is
question that time and circumstance win solve.
and need not be anticipated further than to re-
peat that they cannot be held by tho Govern
ment as slaves. 1t would be useless to keen I
them as prisoners OF war; and sel!-preserya- t
ton, the highest duty of Government, or of
individuals, demands that they should be dis l.
posed or or employed In the most F.ctiye man y
aer that will tend mos speedily to suppress the :,
lnsurrection and restore the authority of the :.
Government. If it shall be founi thay the men /
VINO nave been held by the rebels as slaves arc .
capable OF bearing arms and performing eff Il
'ient military service, 1t IS the right, and NAV
become the duty, OF ihe Government to arm and n
EQUIP them, and employ their services against q
ne repels, under military regulation, discipline f.
md command u
bat III whatever manner they may be used by
he Government, IL is plain that, once liberated Il
y the rebelii0us acc of their masters, thew E
mould never again be restored to bondage. Dy 81
nc masters treason and rebellion he iorteis all s(
light to the labor and service Of bis slave and W
ne slave OF the rebelious master, by his service
the Government, becomes Justly entitled to y
Eecdom and protection. q
The disposition to bo made of the slaves Of bl
sDels, after the close of the war, ca be safely ST
1T to the wisdom and PATRIOTISM Of Congress-. OF
he Representatives Of the People will unoucs- N
onaby secure to the loyal shareholders every IN
ght to which they arc entitled under the Con- ~
tuition or the country. :.
The modification Of this objectionable por-
on,-whethcr made by the President or Secre cd
ry does not appear, is as follows: W
1t IS already grave question what shall be- Sc
)no with those slaves who are abandoned by 10
lelr owners on the advance Of our troops into SO
)uthern territory, Us vt Beaufort District. in m
'uth Carolina. The number left within our
'ntrol at that point is very considerable, and ~,
mar Cases will probably occur. What shall W.
} done with them ! Can we afford to send them 81
rward to their masters, to BE- by them armed ia
,ainst us, or used in producing supplies to
alntain the rebellion? Their labor NAV be- re-
'eiul to US. Withheld from the enemy. it les On
ms his military resources, and withholding r,
em has no tendency to induce the horrors OF .,
even in the rebel communities - y, ="
hey constitute military resource, and, being i'e
ch, that they should not be turned over to the W
lemy, is too plain to discuss Why deprive him Sc
supplies by II blockade, and voluntarily give
i'm men to produce supplies The disposition to
be made OF the slaves OF rebels alter the close On
the war can be safely left to the wisdom and 81
atrlotisln of Congress. The representatives "I
the people will, unquestionably, secure to ~
10 loyal shareholders every right to which they VI
re- entitled under the Constitution of the coun- di
y.
ca
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