Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-11-20
Tbc Inllmy Of lhc northern Press.

PN9eT is me leading abolition organ OF Missouri
and 10 doubt expresses the Interior designs of
our enemy-that is, that this war is to be waged
hereafter by the North, for hs abolition q
slavery
TIE BELMONT ATFAIR-THE TRUE. POLICY.
The affair at Belmont begins, we fear, to wear
the aspect Of those prematursly announced vic
torres which too often lapse into confused defeat.
In the teeth of a terrible and prOtracJrd resist
aucer our Uoops fought for uve hours with UNI
e1ceplulaple bravery and uugUestiOuable sue
cess. They routed tue enemy, took his artillery,
aud captured aud burned his camp. While the
battle was raging, however, Confederate zee
Inducements poured Uuimpedcd across the river
from Columbus. The elated, vet weaued victors
suddenly found it necessary 90 fight their way
through superior numbers OF fresh troops, in
order To re-embark. This was done with des-
peTa.e galIautTy, but with distressing loss. The
accounts differ a5 % which side has suffered
most. but nearly all unite iu making the number
killed aud wounded greater ON the part Of the
enemy. The full extent Of the advantages
gained or injuries sustained, ON either side, is
yet TO be learned.
The enemy on the defensive and IN his own
country, has thus a double advantage over US.
To cOuuterpOise this, we should, IF possible, in
wade and attack him with superior numbers.
AVN "-a- AH N" .A-a h-"A# ~ -"H bNN w AAA|" A.AA
the triple advantage OF fighting in defense, on
his own soil, and in greater force than our own.
IL may be no imputati0n upon our patriotism
that we DO not march into the territory of the
foe with more regiments than he musters TO repel
us. The Confederltes would be similarly out
numbered were they 70 attempt an invasion OF
the loyal States. The local population rally
speedily. with little cost, and with great ellIcIeu-
eY, 20 swell the army acting iu their defense. lt
g.. aL.-.I.- .-H e.. --L.- H. .-- -
viii move forward with greater nUmbers than
those which viii confront them. This is a war
10 be successfully prosecuted against an enemy
in superior force, with defensive tactics and pol
icy, and ou ground with which he is perfectly
familiar. The Iaurals our armies win against
such odds are richly paid for in blood and
treasure.
As if. however, these Disadvantages against
US were not enough, We suJWissIvsly cOncede
30 the irgioHs o.. treason au immensely potent
weapon, which. whenever We will, Ee can turn
against them. In addition to their numerical
fighting strength, they nave an element of popu-
lat,JH and military power o. which We are desti-
tute. All the energy Of this element is welded
against us, yet We sacredly respect IL. While
every consideration Of justice, with the whole
sp.Ct and vi. the rules and prrcedeuts of Wal,
and the dictates of policy besides. urge us to use
our power TO turn this engine against the foe, we
sluiiously refrain.
Admitting the perfect Justice and validity of
slavery, the spirit and laws o.. war demand that,
when any agency whatever is beLigerentIy used
against us, We destroy its hostility If possible,
and d.-ect it against the foe if We can. 1t there
fore is no " abolition cry " that calls upon tine
government humsueIy TO free the slaves Of the
rebels Co crush the rebellion. As q measure of
military efficiency and prac.icabiGty, and as
such simply, it demands the assent of each lover
of bis country anj receives that Of the mass Of
patriotic and unprotected citizens.
But slavery is the Parrish Of the whole civilized
world. except the South. It was denounced by
Thomas Jefferson as an outrage against heaven
I'm view of il, he trembled for his country. when
he remembered that God was lust. Speaking of
a probable war in behalf Of it, be said, "Iknow
of uo attribute of the Almighty that can take
part with my country in such awar." The war
has come in another shape than he anticipated,
even one more infamous. lie feared a war 20
suppress slave Instructions and 90 maintain s.a-
very as it IS. The war is waged, not to main
tain slavery, nor in defense of it, but to extend
t. Slavery attempts the destruction Of our free
government because the people et the ballot
box have echoed the voice and policy Of the re-
pubic-eVeuotthe southern fathers and tguuIers
OttLe republic.
It does not follow from this that the govern
meut should undertake the destruction OF slave
~ by war. Z. only follows that The institution
has no peculiar sacrelusss that should lead us
20 respect +. while 10 is used powerfully against
us iu war. The sauctuaries of home and reH-
giou should be geyereuty regarded, though they
belong 90 She enemy. Yet these are unscrupu-
lousy taken possession of. and Justly, when
they are used Tor hostile purposes. Is slavery
more sacred than they II, as is demOusaably
true, there ought to be no hesitauCv iu turning
it against the foe though i. were just, still less
should there DO o reluctance while the Institution
Is 30 grdvely questioned. while this a~trOci0us
war is waged ia its behalf, and while it is Itself
a weapon SO potent in the hands Of the foe.
It should be often repeated that the labOring
slave population is an element Of more than
white population. Only halt the latter actually /
toll, tLe women and children being principally
consumers and uOu-prJiucCrs. The slave wo-
men and children are employed 10 their utmost
capacity as wellas the alul. male slave. Again,
the surplus OF production Dove consumption is
far greater among slaves Ia among free white
lah0E5rs. SuI further, the necessities Of labor
keep men from our army, but none from the
ranks of the enemy. Nor does tae disparity
cease even here.
The southern soldier need up little more than
fight, while our troops have, IN addition, % uu-
lsrE2 the heavy dmdgey of constructing in
Na'.aALHI'ANf hNHE.Az AlaNA.HF ttf"N- at tANA--
p0r.er.ou, etc, etc. The result is the increment
of sickness and mortality IN our army, iucreas-
ing as our troops move south. Yet does the
necessity decrease in that same proportion.
lr the slaves are our natural allies, and youId
far prefer TO work for the Union forces. Grant
ing tina. their preference were doubtful, this
would be no argument against putting it to the
test, and presenting inducements for them to
exercise it in our behalf
Hundreds of them already flock TO our armies
and are found to be auxi.iaries, of great value.
Let them be- encouraged % come by tens Of
thousands They would be so much deducted
from the strength of treason and added to that
of the government, at such an immense sacrifice
of wealth to the foe as 90 bring TO reason. Let
il be remembered that all the objections that
may De urged against the effectiveness of the
measure can be- none against giving it a tial.
Western Tennessee and Kentucky are densely
populated with slaves. If the policy we urge
had long since been adopted, q far different state
of affairs would doubtless now be witnessed in
that region. The late battle would have beeu
needless, or resulted much more f3v0rabIv and
icci-iyciy for the Federal cause The logic of
events is bringing the country to f-rl the iupOr-
lance Of a course so plain, Just and efficient as
down by Fremont in Missouri, who, we
not, win yet be found 20 have been the
I4tIfuT.r fu fIi. war