Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-06-03
GENERAL RUrLERIs QUANDARY.

The decision of Gen. Butler pronouncing
slave property contrahand of war proves to be
popular among the slaves. Without under
standing the precise meaning OF the phrase
they have wit enough to see that it has sdme'
thing 10 do with the deliverance they have ielt
was "gwine to come" somehow out OF the
connection. Every day increases the number
who break their local attachments, and avail
themselves of the happy legal expedlent OF the
General So long as the fugitires were aito-
gether or mainly able bodied men, ready 10
be put to any immediate and effective service
the decision involved no difficulty. But, as 1t
usually happens, the men were speeully l"iio"-
ed by super-serviceable women, ana lnoppor
mne children, who have imbibed the notion
that il is preferable to be held as conraband ar.
tcles than exposed to the desperate chances
of the rebellion The General has not yet
made up his mind how to act under his new
and strange responsibility. "The question
is becoming one OF very serious mag
nitude" he writes to the war depart
ment. 81 am in the utmost doubt what
receive the services of father and moth
er. aud not take the children" We should
think not. Viewing it as question OF hui
mainly, The general himself has no doubt.
Buthe gets befogged by its political aspects,
as he did in Maryland when he came so near
committing bunder more than political In
the present instance, however, the question is
to be determined, not on political or humanita-
rian grounds, hut for military reasons. Hav-
ing est bshed the rule respecting the slaves
of rebel masters, it must be accepted with its
contingencies. 1t would seem to be the most
practical method to engage all able bodied re-
cruts who come under the rule 10 suitable
employ ment charging against their services
the expense OF the care and sustenance of the
non-laborers, of which, as well as of the
labor performed. scrupulous account should
be kept, and an equitable settlement
be hereafter made. This has been the
plan thus far pursued by General Butler.
But the number threatens to increase to such
an extent that he cannot employ them advan-
tageously, or support them without exceeding
the requirements Of the service 10 which lie
is called. The prospect is calculated to dis
turb the complacency of many an officer whose
nerves are less easily shaken than his. To
leave them 10 starve would be inhuman; 10
return them to their disioyal masters, i'm
possible. What then, is to be done witt
them is one of the most interesting and i'm
poriant questions which the progress OF thu
war is fastening TO decision. 1t is not sur
prising that with all his fertility in expedent
and audacious contempt of ordinary Difficult
ties, Gen. Butler should pause little ON tn
threshold Of this move! responsibility. But il
spite of the difficulties which cucumber it, We
apprehend it would be greatly ightened /
those who have to deal with it could relieve
their minds of that wonderful and inordin
: ate respect Tor slave property in which the
s,t.s1SI4 n 5tse.ses. osesslais5 ~
Il their theory of slave property were CORE
what should prevent the ministers of that gov.
ernmentirom taking slaves equally with 9TH
er property into their control as part Of the
penalty which the judgment of the world pass
es upon nsurrection and revolt? But their
theory is peculiar and exceptional They
have repudiated the only bond which gave to
their institution constructive title TO The rec
milton Of the government. We can afford the
luxury of returning to first principles as our
fathers did when they made the declaration Of
independence. The means will not be want
ing to turn to benefcent uses the obvious
lessons which they teach.