New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-07

suicide flterng the lauoanum that is TO send
him TO his last sleep; imagine martyr compelled
to split the wood and to kndle the fire that Is
to roast BIN; imagine the engineer charging his
petard With the full knowledge that BY It he is to
be hoisted; imagine the man who is to be robbed
loading the revolver Of the man who Is to rob
him; and then imagine all these doomed crea-
lures, as they apply themselves to the fatal labor,
suddenly struck with its extreme drOlery, and
so bursting into laughter or song. We would
not say word to dampen the festivities OF the
Notifications; but there are one or t@o sugges-
tons which il may be generous in US to make
even TO cur enemies
In the first place, then, we assume that the
ucero-slagc is dangerous creature. By the
laws of South Carolina, he cannot be taught to
read or write; he cannot be away from MS domi-
ellie after certain hour in the evening; he can
not meet with his fellows except under certain
rigia restrictions. Watched, Stacked, locked up,
treated as carefully as if he we're a package Of
guupowdcr, the slave in South Carolina 10
regarded very much as We regard ieopards
and tigers in this city. Such at least Is
tho feeling and such is the fear indi-
Gated by the Statute Book Of that State.
We did not enact these cautious restrictions,
these minute and jealous regulations, these petty
provisos. But there is no sensible man who will
not admit that the foundation Of them all is fear.
Il is because the black slave is dangerous that
be is shut up at night; il is becaHie lie is capable
of plotting that conspiratory meetings are guarded
against by law; and it is because he is thought
to be capable Of revolt that he is so hampered
and hsndcufIed If it be Ctherwise-if the planter
be not fearful, if the slave be not dangerous, it
is but little to ask why South Carolina has re-
sorted TO legislation, fanciul at least II not cruel
But this question alone will not suffice. If South
Carolina has so complete and touching confidence
in the fidelity of her blacks that she can put arms
into their bands and suffer them to study the art
Of war ia a practical school OF which her best
military men are the teachers, by what incon-
ceiyable power of impudence does she pretend
that the success Of the Republican party has rem
dered instruction imminent She VIII not trust
herself to the control Of the Federal Government
in the hands of the Republicans because she fears
that Republican rule will indirectly stimulate ser.
vile revolt; and yet she makes soldiers OF the very
creatures she pretends to fear, takes them into
her camps and her castles, and furnishes them
with the munitions of war. Was there ever such
inconsistency? And does it not prove that re-
behon was conclusion foregOne and crime
resolved upon, no matter what might be the up
shot of the election
For our own part We are willing, upon the
authority Of South Carolina herself to admit that
in thus making soldiers OF her seris, she is doing
a very imprudent thing. The black man is i'm
tative. No matter in what work of the war he
may he employed, it will be impossible for him to
avoid the acquisition Of some smattering OF MILL
tary knowledge. lie Will learn the advantages OF
ditch and of q breastwOrk; he will comprehend
in time the my siery of handling large guns; and
he will grow familiar with muskets and rifles
and bayonets. II viii not do to presume upon
his stupidity. A black sutler who has seen
camp, although he has never been drilled, IL III
fniteIy more dangerous than another who has seen
nothing Of service. To be sure the mere camp
servants learning may b. little, but 1t Willaot be
less disastrous; for, in a certain sort OF warfare,
his very bluudsrs may win battles. The highest
genius is not required to constitute a common SOL
dior ona general win ability VIII make
toerable use Of hundred ounces for if il were
not so, there would be no war. Imagine, then,
q rebel chcftain, black or white, with following
of insurgents, who have learned the secret OF
rebellion at Moultrie; who have been trained to
stand fire. to return it, to work artillery, and above
ali, toobey, without question, thewOrd Of command
Such company, however small, might carry disInay
and des0lation through whole districts. AS 1t
marched its resources would increase. Every
plantation captured would afford recruits and
provisions, and possibly guns and powder. The
same spirit of imitation which makes the negro
grin from ear to ear as he plays at solder and
pics up parapcts, would lead him into rebellion
whenever the example was afforded. But lie
would be indeed more to be dreaded than the
most thoroughly drilled soldier, when once he
Lad tasted of blood and had escaped from the
routine of bis Old life. The exasperated
negro suddenly awakening to sense of his
power and breaking away from all control,
might rival in the atrOciiy Of his frantic crimes
the violations of woman and the fortunes OF man
which make terrible the history of the East III
dian wars. God forbid that We should be called
upon TO record such deeds Of lust and cruelty as
those which shame and smear tie modern annals
Of the British Empire! 1t is but poor consOa-
ton TO know that those who provoke viii be
those who suffer. The philanthrOpst shrinks
from all human agony, however recklessly 1t
may have been incurred; and the time may come
when those who have been sneered at as sickly
scntmentalsts viii be called upon, and will not
be the last IN nifty and TO sIccOr,