Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-12-13
SEcRETARY CAGERON's REPORT,

SEgRETARN CANERON's REPORT.
The report Of this Lincoln official furnishes
another authoritative announcement Of the Fed
eraI policy on the slavery question. 1t is a re-
lash Of his late speech indorsing the Infamous
L~arangue Of JONI CoCHRANE, advocating the
right and the eKpediency of putting arms into
the hands Of slaves to assist the cowarlly min
ions of despotism N their war upon the, South
OF course he thinks that a government, whose
present Regency owes its existence to the senti-
ment Of red-republicau aboGtionism prevailing
in the North, should not do such violence to chat
sentiment as to claim the power to hold slaves
as chattels; but, observed the word-monger,
q" il has a right to use the voluntary ID service
Of the slaves liberated by the war from their
rebel masters, like qHg other property of the
rebels, IN ,rhateser mod mag Be mast qficieHt for
the defense Of the government, the prosecution
ai the wal. and the suppression of the rebel
lion.
This simply means that while negroes are
to be IN theory set free, in practice, they are
to be subjected 10 the onerous drujgery Of dig-
ging bitches and throwing up fogdhcations aud
other works Of defense. the construction Of
which now devolves upon the Federal soldiery
This is in close imitation Of the late dodge OF
the British government in authorizing the COolie
system Of slavery, and certainly exceeds it in
disgustng hypocrisy.
The Secretary concludes his observations upon
the vital issue in the following language
L Is as clearly a right Of the government to
arm slaves, when it becomes necessary, as it is
% use gunpowder taken from the enemy.
Whether It IS expedient to do so is purely 3 milf
tsry question. The night is unques.i 0nable by
tire laws Of war. The eKpediencY must be de-
temined by circumstances, keeping in view the
great object of overcoming the rebels, re-es-
tabIshiug the laws, and restoring peace to the
nation.
Itis vain and idle for the government TO carry
on this war. or hope 70 maintain its existence.
against rebellioUs force, without employing the
rights and powers of war. As has been said,
tne right TO deprive the rebels of their property
ia slaves and slave labor, is as clear and abso-
iute as the right 10 take forage from the field, or
cotton from the warehouse or powder and arms
from the magazine. To leave the enemy IN the
possession Of such property as forage and cotton
al3 military stores, and the means uf constantly
reproducing them, would be- madness. 1t is,
therefore, equal madness TO leave them in peace
fdi and Secure possession Of slave properly, more
valuable aud efficient to them for war, than for
age cotton and military stores. such policy
w0aII be national suicide. What to ID with tnat
species Of property, IS a question that time and
circumstance viii solve. and need not be antici-
patsd further than 70 repeat that .hey cannot be
held by the government as slaves. Il would be
useless 70 keep them as prisoners of war and
sell preservation, the highest duty Of a govern
Ineni. OF of individuals, demands that they
should be disposed OF on employed il the most
effective manner that VIII tend most speedily %
suppress Tie instruction and restore the authority
81 TIE government. If IT shall be- fouud that the
men who have been held By the rebels as slaves
are capable OF bearing arms aud performing eff
cent military service, til the right, and may be
coale the outs, Of the government o arm and
equip them, ana employ their services against
fhe rebels, under proper military regulation, dis
cpline and command
But ia whatever manner they may be used by
Size government, 10 Is PLAN that, once liberated
hv ih- rebelli0us act Of their masters. they
should never again be restored 10 bondage. BY
TIE masters treason and rebellion he ~forieits all
SIGHT 10 the labor and service OF lis slave; and
ihe slave OF the rebellious master. by the service
to the government, becomes justly entitled TO
freedom and protection.
The disposition ID be- made of slaves 0frebels,
aher the Close of the war. can BE safely lett 10
tLe wisdom and patriotism of Congress The
Representatives Of the people VIII UuG uesdOuably
secure 90 the loyal Shareholders every right TO
which they are entitled under the Constitution
~ the country.
notwithstanding the want OF holiness in tine
enaneiaaon Of he policy which be evidently de-
gus 10 put ~forth-perhaps Intentional, with the
wees O.; leaving a ioophoie of retreat through
which 10 escape historical iufamy-Iers is no
daeuhy ID drawing "a conclusion from the well
sisted uaj0r and minor premises OF CAsEBON's
Argument seen at once he clearly maintains
le tight Of bis government to arm slayes-in
oihe; words, that this barbarous and fayage
PROBES. IS a power Of war. lie then adds
Il s vain and idle for the government 10 carry
on ibis war OF hope to maintain It's existence
against re5eHous force, without employing ALL
the lights and powers Of war This completes
the circle of the argument and places the Cabinet
fanttoHaIy where be properly belongs-in the
category Of tie JOHN BRowN assassfus, who
Heiiaer asked nor received quarter.
CAMERON, as viii be at once observed, makes
the humIisting acknowledgement that it viii BE-
casa aad de for his government to continue
this var unless he atroclous suggestion is car
red out-a confession Of inevitable defeat so
long as we can secure and perPe.uate the loyalty
Of our slaves, Of which there is not the shadow
Of a doubt This is great point gained by us
for our eause. Let the idea that we are ~invinci-
Die. unless Cur slaves can be transformed into
assassins and inceudiaries, once get lodgnent in
tie northern mind, as II is now rpidIy doing.
and d whole issue of restoring a permanently
discovered Union viii be stskei upon this one
barbseous experiment 1t will be made aud re-
suit in an ignomini0us failure. after which viii
come a fearful rebound Of public opinion
throughout tbe North, sweeping away the broken
debris Of a d-ismsnbered war par'y-which. like
toe stalue Of Ar0LLo, Of Rhode, viii only be
necognizedby lis scattered fragments
The motive which led CANERoN 10 assume
this ultra attitude ON the slavery question is
quite manifest FRENoxr being overslaughed
and deposr5, Boz desires to become the idol of
the RsdBepubhean rslicaI wing Of the abolition
party In this he has succeeded. desnite the
fsct Of ls conservative oliousu~s % tiat class 1
at the commencement OF the war The Secre-
larry is very accommodating inAis politics, quite
as murh SO, perhaps, as IN his morals which is /
aging 8 ogea. deal for him, inasmueh as his
dishonest and swinding peculations have
branded him as the creates; thief Of the age.
lie makes bold uow to become the great Mogul
%. th- radical ab~oliuonis.s, even though il, be al
lie risk Of .ermeuijng ieuds aud discussions oil
the most violent character ia the Lincoln
wigeam
SUCCESSFUL FoRAGlNC-We learn that a
'orea 'om Columbus, composed OF small in
iaufry ieiaelmeuis under Capt J. d. Layton
and Capt Montgomery and about thirty cavalry
loH Capt. Montgomery corps, tbe whole under
th- command Of Maj ). C.. Cole. made an inn
roriaai movement on Sunday night last, which
rHiiel n securing to the provision resources oil
ou iare a Columbus and vicinity twenty-six
hssd Of ai beeye,, and three hundred and f0y-
u1ree head O.. t. hogs The whole lot was in
tended 10 supply the enemy al Palueab 5nt the
aelsity of Our boys, at the proper moment
.s1ef tHe stock had been weighed and perhaps
ID counted fr, prevented IFS use for Tho purposo
originally intended e @, TO furnish supplies to
'he enemy The stock was removed so a place
ct safety and is estimated 10 be worth at least
1