The national Republican., 1861-12-09
THE PREsIDENT AND THE CoNTRA-

bANDBs
The pro-slsvery politicians who desire 10
convert our military foroes into niger catch
en-, for the bsuent Of rebels, claim that the
Prssident favor their Ahsurd end tressonable
views. Undoubtedly ths President has been
too lenient with those o(1cers q the army who
have exhibited q love Of nigger catching, but
that he has himself no sympathy with it, is
abundantly shown by all the Cabinet orders on
the subject. commencing with those Of General
Butler at Fortress Monroe, and all of which
orders he must have seen and approved.
Another and q very satisfactory piece cf
evidence on this point is found in q recent &C.
currence Ordinarily, the views of Presi-
dent are not to be inferred with certainty, or
exactness from the reports Of his Secretaries
There is. to BE- SIRE, the general presumption
Of an identity Of opinion between the President
and bis Cabinet, but the exceptions have been
very numerous and conspicuous in the history
of the country; as, for example, during the
late Administration, In the avowed disagree
meut between the President and the Secretary
Of the Treasury, In reference to the principle
Of tariff legislation But It is now 30 we'll kuowa
that there can be no possible improperly in
alluding to It, that President Lincoln, upon
receiving the report Of the Secretary Of War,
insisted upon alterations In that part Of Il
which related to the treatment of slaves The
conclusion Is unavoidable, in respect to that
part of the report Of the Secretary of the
Navy which relates 10 the same subject, that il
met the appreciation Of the President, as there
has been no intimation from any quarter, that
he dissented from 1t, or desired any modiHca-
ton Of It.
Now. let us see what Mr.. Secretary Welles
| says In reference to the treatment Of the es-
capped slaves Of rebels: .7... .. .f....4
| "In the coastwse and blooksding duties Of
the navy, It has been not unfrequent that fugi.
tives from insurrectionary places have sought
our ships for refuge and protection, and our
naval commanders have applied TO me for In.
struction as to the proper disposition which
| should be m ade of such refugees. My answer
has been that, II Insurgents, they should be
handed over to the custody of the Government;
but If, on the contrary, they were free from
any voluntary participation in the rebellion,
| and sought the shelter and protection Of our
flag, then they should be cared for and EN-.
ployed in some useful manner, and might be
enlisted to serve on our public vessels or In our
navy yards, receiving wages for their labor.
n such employment could not be furnished to
all by the navy, they might be referred to tho
army; and II no employ could be found for
them in the public service, they should be al
lowed to proceed freely and peaceably without
restraint, to seek livelihood in any loyal por.
4 tion of the country. This have considered to
{ be the whole required duty, in the premises, Of
our naval officers"
This policy of the Secretary Of the Navy. thu
shown to have had the approval Of the presi
dent has been that of the Administration il
all the orders known to have been issued b,
. it. The contrary policy has been that Of few
of our generals and commanding officers, ant
the President is no otherwise involved in /
than in not compelling them to conform to the
I general policy of his Administration. Thi
proves, perhaps that he is too indulgent, bu
It does not negative the contrary proofs whicl
are direct and conclusive, that his own view
have been consistently such as the country
| appr oyes