The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-12-12

traitors ana rebels to the extremity 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 constitute the
chief property of the rebels, such property should
share the common fate of war to which they have
devoted the property of loyal citizens.
| While it is plain that the slave property OF the
south is Justly subjected to all the consequences
of this rebeous war, and that the Government
would be untrue to its trust in not employing all
the rights and pow of war TO bring TO a speedy
close the details of the plan for dong So like all
other military measures must, i'll a great degree,
be left to be determined by particular exgencies.
The disposition of other property belonging to the
rebels that becomes subject to our arms is govern
ed by the circumstances of the case. The Govern.
ment has no power to hold slaves, TO restrain
slave of is liberty, or TO exact his service. 1t
has right however, to use the voluntary service
of slaves liberated by war from therrebel masters
like any other property Of the rebels, in whatever
mode may be most efficient for the defence of the
Government, the prosecution Of the war, and sup
preston of the rebellion. 1t is clearly right OF
the Government TO arm slaves, when it may be
| come necessary, as it is 70 use gunpOwder taken
from the enemy. Whether it is expedieLt TO do so
is purely military question. The right Is unques,
tionate by the laws OF war. The expedency must
be determined by circumstances, keeping in view
the great object of overcoming the rebels, re-es
tablishing the laws, and restoring peace to the
Nation.
| 1t is vain and idle for the Government to carry
on this or hope maintain its existence against
rebeious force, without employing all the rights
and powers of war AS has been said, the right to
deprive the rebels of their property i'll slaves and
slave labor, is as clear and absolute, the right
to take forage from the field, or cotton from the
warehouse, or powder and arms from the magazine
To leave the enemy in the possession of such prop
erty as forage and cotton and military stores, and
the means of constantly reproducing them, would
be madness. 1t is, therefore, equal madness to
leave them in peaceful and secure possession of
slave property, more valuable and efficient to them
for war, than forage, cotton, and military stores.
Such policy would be national suicide. What TO
do with that species of property Is question that
time and circumstances must solve, and need not
be anticipated further than to repeat that they
cannot be held by Government us slaves, 1t
would be useless to keep them as prisoners of war,
and self representation, the highest duty of & Gov
eminent. or of individuals, demands that they
should be disposed of or employed in the most eff
fsctiye manner that will tend most speedily to sup
nress the instruction and restore tha authority Of
The Government. If it shall be found that the men
who have been held by the rebels as slaves are
canable of bearing arms and performing efficient
military service it is the right, and may become
tbe duly of the Government to arm and equip
them and employ their services against the rebels,
under proper military regulation, discipline and
command
But in whatever manner they may be used by
fhe Government, it is plain that once liberated by
the rebellious act of their masters, they should
never again be restored to bondage, BY the mas
ters treason and rebellion he forfeis all right TO
the labor and service of his slave; and the slave
of the rebelious master by his service to the Gov
ernment, becomes justly entitled to freedom and
protection.
The disposition to be made Ofthe slaves of rebels
after the close of the war; be safely left to the
wisdom and patriotism of Congress. The Repre-
sentatves of the People will unquestionably Sc
cure to the loyal shareholders every right to which
they are entitled under the Constitution of the
country. SIMoN NAEhhhON,
Secretary of War.
TO THE PRESIDENT.