New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-21

comes Oh, ana 'ne supphts run o", suo! WI"
ul doubedly claim the hospitality of the Fortress,
unless. indeed, the war shall have rolled far IA
land by that time. But in this case, there will
only be a larger number Of contraband chattels
to he disposed Of, and the question VIII only
grow the more imperative-what is to be done
with them
Whatever the affirmative answer to this que'.
ton may be, we are that the self.resPect,
humanity and decency of the Free States will
unanimously agree in the answer which must be
returned TO it, negatively. There can be but one
opinion as to what is not to be done with them.
The slaves who have been received under the
safeguard of our flag, whether through their own
escape from their masters or their masters es-
eape from them, are nerer under any possible
circumstances, 10 be returned as SiaueS to those
masters. This is a selfevident proposition. The
legal right Of property in these slaves, and all
claim to protection III it under the Constitution
and laws Of the United States, ceased ut the mo-
ment and by the effect of the rebellion of the re-
vOlted States to that Constitution aod those laws
To reduce them again to Slavery, after having
once taken them under the protection of the M
ton, would be worse crime than the original
enslayement of the native Africans from whom
they are descended. The public sentiment OF all
CLristendom and of all civilized Heithencsse
would cry foul shame upon such breach of
faith such an outrage upon hospitality, so base
and cOwardly an act of cruelty committed by
mighty DatiOn on the weakest of the supphanis
at it's feet. The reputation of no public man
could survive so odious proposition, while its
practical carrying out would blacken the nlms of
the offender with urdying nfamy aud make it
bye.word and Kissing to the ends of the earth.
While We do not suspect the President or any
member of his Cabinet of being capable of such
a crime rs this, or even Of its contemplation, we
can fully understand the embarrassment which
the disposition OF these anomalous entities-in
the very article of chrysalid metamorphosis from
hisgs to m,n-must give them, as well as the
enduring credit which satisfactory solution OF
it must secure to them.
We have been charged by the presses in the
interest of the rebels, here and elsewhere, of
having urged forward the war as a means for
the abolition of Slavery. Our readers know how
false this accusation is. We could not ark tue
Pr, sident 10 carry on this war for any object
which would involve u violation OF his oath "r
Office The primary purpose of the Pre,ident
necessarily was to restore the state of things
previous to the war, after subduing the rebellion
and COndguIy furnishing the traitors. But though
il could be no part Of his purpose TO abolish
Slavery, still less could il be any part Of il t,
strengthen it, or TO do any act for its comfort
which was not imperativey exscted from him by
his constitutional duty. Slavery is notoriolsly
by the confession of the Rebels US well as by
the instinct of all true men, the ",aerriaa
" csusa"--tbe blackest prOyocation--of this war,
and therefore not entitled 10 any special grace
and invor on our part. Wherever Slavery and |
Freedom come faTly in collision, and decision /
IL 10 be made on one side or the other on the 1
merits of the case, aud not compelled by any
Constitutional nee, ssity, the President and Cabi-
net may be expected, as we arc sure they wish, /
TO decide in favor OF Liberty. Sach n ease is ,
the one under consideration. We are not CON- /
pttert TO pass upon tbe details Of It's settlement,
and are willing to leave them in the hands Of |
the responsible authorities But We think we .
can assure those eminent persons that they will /
receive warm and cordial support from all that !
is best, and from the class most numerous, in .
the Free States, in any just liberal policy TO-
ward these unfortunate persons. Perhaps it ,
may be found practicable after tue war,
"when statutes siesI tho refuse Of ihc word
aud the estates Of notorious traitors are I
conf.cated for their crimes, that small holding, /
Iu,y be granted 10 the blacks thus in our keep |
ing, with the pledge Of the protection OF the M
ton in their humble rights Thus class of I
might be created Of infinite use in tho ,
Development of tie resources Of the Slave States.
Should their number be manageable, there
could he no objection TO the extension Of facili.
ties on the part of the Government, 10 such rs
might wish 10 try their fortunes in Hayt 10
Jamaica in Central America, or whercsoever
else it might seem good 10 them TO abide. OF
course, it would BE- competent to Congress 70
grant reasonable compensation to unqncsti0nsble
Union men for tho loss OF their slaves in this
way-to any Rebel, perer! That the best rcso-
luton of this difficulty will present itself at the
right moment, if sought earnestly aud in good
ailh, we have faith To believe. Probably, We
,ball all wonder 10 hnd how easy thing II was
70 be Just, and marvel at our unbelief and hard.
less Of heart. Aud OF all the wreaths which
sill await the heroes of this war-Thether in
he Cabinet or the feld-thGre will be none
brighter than his who shall bear away the glory
# this renowned victory of Peace.
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