Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-12-12

tremity Of war, all the rights and powers of
war should be exercised to bring II to speedy
end. Those who make war against the govern
ment justly forfeit all rights of property, priv
ilege, or security, derived from the constitution
and laws, against which they are in armed re-
bellion and as the labor and service OF Their
slaves constitute the chief property OF the reb-
els, 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 conse-
ouences of this rebellious war, and that the
government wolld be untrue to its trust in not
employing all its rights and powers of war to
bring It to a speedy close, the details of the
plan for doing so like all other military meas
ures, must, in a great degree. he left to be de-
termned by particular exigencies. The dispo-
sition of other property belonging TO the rebels
that becomes subject to our arms is governed
by the circumstances Of the case. The govern
ment has no power to hold slaves none TO re-
strain slave of his liberty, or to exact his SER
vice. 1t has a right, however, to use the vol
untary service of slaves liberated Jy war from
their rebel masters, like any other property of
the rebels. in whatever mode may be efficient
for the defense OF the government, the prosecu-
ton of the war, and the suppression of the re-
bellion. 1t is as clearly the right of the gov
eminent to arm slaves when it may become
necessary as 1t Is to use gunpowder taken from
the enemy. Whether it is expedient TO do so
is purely a military question. The right is un-
questionable by the laws of war. The eXpe-
diency must be determined by circumstances,
keeping in view the great object OF overcoming
the rebels, re-establishng the laws, and restor-
ing peace to the nation.
1t is vain and idle for the government to car
81, ,tof,N tfo let
ence against rebellious force, without employing
all the rights and powers of war As has been
said, the right to deprive the rebels of their
property in slaves aud slave labor, is as clear
and absolute, as from the warehouse, or powder
and arms from the magazine. TO leave the
enemy in the possession of such property as
forage and cotton and military stores, and the
means of constantly reproducing them, would
be madness II 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 s. ecies of property, is a
question that time and circumstance will solve,
and need not be anticipated further than to re-
peat that they cannot be held by the govern
ment as slaves. 1t would be useless to keep
them as prisoners of war and self-preserva-
ton, the highest duty of government, or of
individuals, demands that they should be dis
posed of or employed in the most effective
manner that will tend most 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 of bearing arms and performing eff
icient 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 regu-
lations, discipline, and command. But in
whatever manner they may be used by the gov
eminent, it is plain that, once liberated by the
rebellious act of their masters, they should
never again be restored to bondage. BY the
masters treason and rebellion he forfeits all
right to the labor and service Of his slave; and
the slave of the rebellious master, by his ser.
vice to the go eminent, becomes justly entitled
to freedom and protection. The disposition tc
be made of the slaves of rebels, after the CLOSE
of the war, can be safely left to the wisdom ant
patriotism Of Congress. The representative
of the people will unquestionably secure to the
loyal Shareholders every right to which they
are entitled under the constitution of the coun.
try.