The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-12-17

Reason and justice and self-preserva-
ton forbid that such should be the poll
cy of this Government, but demand on
the contrary, that, being forced by trait.
ors and 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 Gov
errment justly forfeils all rights Of prop
erty, privilege, or security, derived from
the Constitution and laws against which
they are in armed rebellion and as the
services Of their slaves constitutes the
chief property of the rebels, such prop
erty should share the common fate of war
TO which they have devoted the property
Of loyal citizens.
ALL THE MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED.
While it is plain that the slave property
OF the South is justly subjected to all the
consequences of this rebeIlious war, and
that the Government would be untrue to
lis trust in not employing all the rights
and powers Of war TO bring it to speedy
close, the details Of the plan for doing so,
like all other military measures, must, in
a great degree, be left to be determined
by particular exigencies. The DISPOSE
ton Of other property belonging to the
rebels that becomes subject to our arms
is governed by the circumstances of the
case. THE Government has no pouer to
hold Stavcs, none to restrain SlaUe of his
liberty nor to exact his scrrice. 1t las a
right, ho,Uerer, to use the voluntary SER
vice of the slaves liberated by the war
from their rebel masters, like any other
property of tie rebels, in whatever mode
may be most efficient for the defense Of
the Government, the prosecution Of the
war, and the suppression of the rebel
ion. III is as clearly right Of the Gov
ernment to arm slaoes, when it NAV be
come necessary ,as it is TO use gunpowder
taken from the enemy. Whether it is
expedient 10 to do so is purely military
question. Tile r'ght is unquestiono5le By
tie taws Of aoar. The expediency must
be determined by circumstances, keep.
ing in view the great object of overcom
ing the rebels, re establishing the laws
and restoring peace to the nation.
1t is vain and idle for the Government
10 carry on this war, or hope to maintain
its existence against rebellous force
,cithom employing all the rights and pow
ers Of aoar. AS has been said, the RICH
TO deprive The rebels of their property il
slaves and slave labor, is as clear anc
absolute, as 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 o.
such droperty as forage and cotton and
military stores, and the means Of con.
stantly reproducing them, would be
madness. 1t is, therefore, equal madness
to leave them in peaceful and secure pos
session 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 de-
with that species of property, is a ques
ton that time and circumstance vii
solve, and need not be anticipated fur.
Their than TO repeat that they cannot be
held BY the Government as slaves. L
would be useless 10 keep them as prison
ers of war; and self-preseryation, the
the highest duty of Government, or o
indiyid aals, demands that they should
be disposed Of or employed in the mos,
effective manner that will tend mos
speedily to suppress the instruction and
restore the authority OF the Government.
If it shall be found that The men who
have been held by the rebels as slaves
are capable bearing arms and preform
ing efficient military service, it is the
right and may become the duty Of the
Government TO arm and equip them, and
employ their services against the rebels,
under proper military regulation, disci
pline aud command.
But in whatever manner they may be
used by the Government, il is plain that
once liberated by the rebellious act oil
their masters, they should never again
be restored 10 bondage. By the masters
treason and rebellion he forfeits all righ
t. the labor and service OF his slave anc
the slave Of the rebellious master, by hi,
service to the Government, become:
justly entitled to freedom and protection
SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.
To the PRESIDENT.