The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1861-12-26

monies and alterations. The Tribune and
The Evening Post endeavor to convey the
impression that you 60 further in the aboli
ton direction than Fremont. To my view,
your positions are antagonistical to Fremont;
and they constitute the dividing line be-
tween the Administration and the Union
feeling of the country on the one side, and
abolitionism and secession (both looking
to the permanent disintergration of the
Union) on the other. But loyalty and the
energies of the Government will prevail.
"The effective ability and vi gor with
which Secretary Cameron has conducted his
branch of our great service, under the diff
fcultiss which environ government unac-
customed to war, and especially civil war,
has won for him the admiration of the
country, and position of high favor with
the people.
Sincerely your friend and obedient
servant, EDWIN CROSWELL.
"Col. John Cochrane.
"P. S.-Mr. Daniel S. ] Dickinson, who
is now in my Office, allows me to say that
he fully concurs in this view Of the ques-
ton"
The Frankfort (Ky.,) Commonwealth
thus speaks of Col. Cochrane's speech:
"The policy indicated by Mr.. CocLranc
is exactly right, and in accordance with the
usagcs Of civilized warfare. We hope to
see it adopted by the Government. 1t
should have been at first. Had it been,
many lives Of loyal citizens would have
been saved that were lost through the
wishy- -washy and anomalous conduct of the
Government towards traitors in arms
Since the commencement Of this most un
natural war, it has been safer to be rebel
than to be loyal to the Government The
extreme punishment of treason thus far has
been an "oath of allegiance" which
rebel will take with as much sang froid as
he would gin cocktail.
"Why should not the slaves of traitors
in arms be contiscated to the Government
The Democrat will not deny that slaves are
as clearly SO as are mules. Is it
right and proper to con6scate mule, and
put it to hauling transportation ? If it is,
why Is it not equally right and proper to
slave for driver of that mule ?
Both are property, and both are employed
BY the rebels iu their attempt to destroy
his Government. We believe in '6ghting
he devil with fire." The rebels employ
armed negroes, armed savages they resort
20 all sorts of base means, even to piracy
upon the high seas. They poison wells,
md when they can-as at Guyandotte-
hey resort to assassination. 1t is all stuff
% talk about fighting such an enemy on
high points" The Government has been
rying the experiment some eight months,
sith Indifferent success. If We meet rat
lesnake in our path, We mash his head, if
ve can. Let this ba, borous rebellion be
rushed out. We care not how, so it be
lone quickly
The propriety of weakening the rebels by
very possible means--by shooting, hang,
ng and capturing and confning them, by
oniiscating all their property, real and per-
onal, and by setting their negroes free, is
conceded by every true Union man. But
here is question CT difference among
Union men, and that is to the propricty Of
rming liberated negroes, and employing
hem in crushing out the rebellion. Upon
his question there is difference of opin-
on; but upon that of freeing the slaves of
ebels there is no disagreement Of any mo-
lent.
Upon that subject the rebels themselves
ave no dispute. They arm all the negros
hat they have means Of arming, and bring
hem into the field, together with all the
indians they can passibly enlist. Perhaps
fter while we will all sec the propriety
initiating their example, by putting ne
ro against negro, and Indian against Ind
IN. Fight the devil with fire."