The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-12-18

10 consolidate such OF the regiments as NAV
from time to time fail below the regula-
ton standard, and thus reduce the mum.
Der of officers and expenses of the army.
The report speaks in high terms of the
efficiency already shown by the volunteers;
refers to the wonderful strength of our in
stitutons in the people so readily gather
ing together such au immerse army, with
out resort to subscriptions, leyies, drafts,
or other extraordinary expedlents SAYS
the rebellion extended over an area Of
733, l44 square miles, possessing coast
line of 1923 miles and a shore line of
E25, Ala miles, with an interior boundary
line of 7,O31 miles in length.
The battle of Bull Run is briefly referred
TO and the result declared to be the "nat.
ural consequence of the premature ad-
vance of our brave but uudiscirlined
troops, which the impatience Of the coun-
try demanded" Other early reverses,
some of no permanent advantage to the
enemy, are referred to !; but he says, 1.-THE
possession of Western Virginia and the
occupation of EIattcras and Beaufort have
noblg redeemed our transient reverses."
The early position Of Maryland Della,
ware, Kentucky, Missouri aud Western
Virginia. is next reviewed, aud their pres
cnt condition PORTED to with pride. as
showing the increasing progress ofloyalty
to the Union No doubt is entertained
that the army on the Potomac, under its
able leader, will soon make such dem.
onstratiou as will re-establish its authority
throughout all the rebelious States.
1t is suggested that the Tres dent be
empowered to send conuli> >siouers with
the army with power 10 enforce obiga-
tious OF contracts and the collection of
debts due to loyal citizens, in dI4iricts
where civil power has ceased to exist.
Recruiting for the regL lar army has not
been as successful as anticipated, and it
Is therefore recommended tnat further
inducements be held out to recruits by
bouuties and full pay when due.
1t is recommended that the law making
obligatory the discharge of minors, who
may enlist without the consent of their
parents, should be repealed, and the sub
jPct left to the regulations of the War
Department or to the civil tribunals of
the country.
! That part of the report which treats of
the Slavery question may be condensed
into the following:
l. This War is prosecuted on behalf of
the Nation with intent to re.establish its
authority over the States and districts
now in hagrant rebellion, and to secure
general obediance to the constitution and
laws of the Union
2. That the rebels began the war, with.
out necessity or provocation, and ought 10
be made to feel and respect the power of
the Government and its loyal supporters
3. That the Government would be un.
jnst to ITSELF and fathIcss to its high
trust, if it failed to employ and improve
all means at lis command. within tho fair
scope of the laws of war, to overcome and
subdue Its applicable and unsparing foes :;
4. That the property of the rebels is
the strength of their rebellion, and is H. /.
able to seizure and conf<ca,ion by the
Government which they have conspired
against and are desperately fighting to
overthrow
5. That a considerable proportion of
this property consists of slaves, varIously
estimated as worth TO them in the aggre-
gate from S700,000,0 900 to S1,OO0,000,- .
900;
6. That there is nothing 10 nature, in
reason. nor in the laws Of war, which ex
empts this species of property from con-
fscation and conversion to the uses of
loyalty in its struggle with rebellion;
Z. That the Federal Government has
20 constitutional and no rightful power
to hold slaves, to sell slaves, nor TO ex; ct
service from any one without rendering
him an equivalent
s. That it las right, however, TO use
the voluntary labor of the slaces of rebels, I
like any other property forfeited by trea-
son, "for the defense Of the Government,
the prosecution of the war, and the sup
preston of the rebellion.
g. That the expediencv of SO using the
muscle of slaves, Whether they be armed
or otherwise, is purely question of mil
itary exigercy. 10 be determined by cir
cumsfances What is certain and indis-
putable is that it would be madness to
leave this immense amount of available
property, SO clearly contraband of war. in
the hands and under the control of rebels
where we have the power to take it away,
Such policy would be National suicide"
10 The Government, having used the
services Of rebels slave, in such man,
ner as it shall deem most conducive to
the overthrow Of the rebellion. cannot
remand him thereafter into bondage The
rebel master has forfeited his title to him