The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-09
What Shall We Do with the Negroe?

However We may attempt to blind ourselves
to ihis question, ignore it, pretend not to see
1t, suppress it, or put it far away from US,
like an evil to be Stunned and avoided as long
as possible, it is the most intrusive interloga-
tory that has met us since the war commenced,
and will not be put aside, put down. neglected
or disregarded. Ii is like the mporlunate wo-
man that would give the unjust Judge no rest
ill he had vindicated her cause. 1t is Ike
Banquo's ghost, and will not down. however
much it may be conjGred to quit our sight If
1t is quieted Tor moment at Fortress Monroe. i;
starts up at once on the Potomac. If its head
is chopped off in Missouri with the deca pitation
OF Fremont, it rises again fresh and full of life
at Port Royal and Beaufort. Immediately il is
temporarily thrust aside there, it starts up from
the loathsome, cruel jails in the shadow of the
dome of our National Capitol. Whenever our
army or our navy 80 southwark to 7ndcate the
authority OF the Govtrnmcnt, the question meets
them on The threshold Of every incursion into
the land Of Dixie, and it is thrust into their
1sces with every ebony head that comes under
the National colors. What shall we do with
the negroe? is The question of the war, and will
sYC0neT or later compel the earnest attention Of
those aiio have in charge the management Of
1he executive departments of The Government
1t is not question that can safely be let
alone. With the South it is not only the oues
tion of the war, but the war was commenced,
and Is waged by the rebels ostensibly and really
20 fix perpetually on this Continent the condition
OF the negroe, and to make MIN a Slave for all
coming time. They have their views of what
IS necessary to secure that result, viz: Surrem-
4cy in the Government Of this Republic, and
+hey are fighting for that end Secure that to
-thcm to day by compromise OF treaty. so they
should have no apprehension OF a reversal Of
me Judgment at the ballot box and they would
nttt gladly make pace with the Government.
anl renew tbeir allegiance to the Constitution
.nl laws which hey tould then interpre. and
e15eatc. Unit. ,iat is secured to them. or thew
are compelled to submit by the stern necessities
D. war, they will not succunb. But the North
S not going TO sIend lis treasure and its blood
- 'ain. 1t will never consent to peace. after
What it has already suffered in consequence Of
..le rebellion, without striking one giaat blow
Il the icll spirit that has generated this tout
t'eason, blow that shall cripple forever its
porer for evil in the Government II the oues-
zion Is put ss:dc for The sake Of the South it
will have TO be heard and answered at he d.
nand Of the North. The gigantic wrong AMI
stopendous political mistake,-caled chatte
Slaycry.-n2w stands facet face in hostile arrav
with the aroused and exasperated giant, the
Free North, and there will be blows to give as
well as blows 10 take in that war.
Now, just when and where and how these
blows shall lie given, TO make them most effec-
Live ~ crushing cut the rebellion ard restoring
r22 authority and power Of the Government to
lis pristine vigor e question upon which there
S great diversity Of opinion. One extreme
VI opinion Is in favor OF an immediate procla-
nation Of universal emancipation, affecting ev.
lTy slave alike, whether claimed by loyal or els.
loyal masters. The opposite extreme b.,..yei
in letting Slavery entirely alone, Except such
criaing acts as returning every fugitive 10 hi,
master, OF at least giving him no harbor and
protection under the Nationa! Fag-and trust
ing the whole event with Providence, unless th,
rebels should by-aLd-by do something TO pre-
coke US.
Between these two extremes the Government