, 1861-11-30


right to confscate the slaves of rebels, ex-
ists as c1early in the Federal Government,
Us the right to condscate their mules, cot
ton or arms. There is as much power to
deprive rebel of his slave as to take from,
him anything else which he esteems as
property. The war power of the Govern
nlent is as comprehensive as the law Of
sel-rTeservation. Whatever thing the rch-
els derive most aid from should be first
seized, and as slaves contribute more 10
support the rebellion than anything else
the rebels possess, military necessity de-
mands that they more particularly should
be confscated. The Government can
own no slaves, If they be held in durance
it can only be as prisoners, who may be
liberated on parole, or absolutely upon
their taking The oath Of allegiance.
But the Times "spcaks not Of the power,
but Of the act Of emancipation" and Ell
quircs "what would the AboEtio1ists do
with the four millions Of cmancipatcd
"negroes?" 1t proceeds to dcbar an an
swer by declaring that "they could not
live in The South, and they would not be
permitted TO live IN the North.''
Pray, why could they not live in the
South? Of all countries that is exactly
the place for them. They were
born and raised there. They have
cultivated its soil for generations.
They constitute the working class Of the
South. Their labor and skill are essential
to its prosperity: They produce its wealth,
they support not only themselves, but some
millions Of idle whites The South cannot
| do without them. If the North wanted
them, the South could not spare them. The
idea Of banislling the four millions Of ne
groes from the South is foolish and wicked
As well talk Of driving away four million oI
| Northern farmers, for the blacks are the
| farmers Of the South.
But Secretary Chase answers the qucs
tion Of The Times: What shall be done
with them after they are emancipated:
Set them at work raising cotton, rice, sugar
and tobacco on the confiscated plantations
Of the rebels who have forfeited their cs.
tates. Pay them fair ana just scages Jo,
their labor, and the problem is solved. The
blacks would he glad to gain their freedom
on these equitable terms, and would 20 tc
their daily toll with a 1igltsome hearts and
willing hands. The overscer would have
nomore use for his whip, his branding iron;
or lis blood hounds.
| Thousands Of enterprising Northern
men would flock South to purchase til,
scquestered estates, and offer employment
to the freed blacks. The Southerner!
themselves would gladly hire them. Ant
II there were eight instead of four millions
Of negroes, they could find steady work a
reasonable wages.
/ Every year the colorcd class would i'm
prove their material and intellectual condi
ton. It would be astonishing how soo1
they would learn to read and write and &C
cumulate property. The head Of ever,
family would aim to acquire a piece 0
ground which he could call his Own, an.
with which he would never part, unless t
purchase larger:
The Times repeats the old humbug tia
the manumitted negroes "would swarn
North like locusts." On the contrary, th
free negroes Of the North would "swarr
South" In few years time scarcel
a colored face would be seen anywhe1
north Of the Ohio and Potoma
The attraction towards the Gulf State
would he Irresistible, not only from th
: present Free States, but from the bordt
Slave States. They would desert the Ian
Of frost, snow and pale faces and 90 to til
sunny South, where the magnetic, the O
angc and the citron grow. They would &
where they would feel at home; where the
> would be welcome; and where their nun
bers would secure them respect and d
> cent treatment. A few years after cmanc
= patton, would find nearly the whole colore
race Of this country south Of the 35th pa
= allel. They would grayitate into the regio
= Of cotton. rice, and sugar. Nothing can
more prepostcrous than the Times asse
- ton that if emancipated, the blacks wou]
: swarm North! Only the poor tools of IL
), shareholders will give currency to sue
statements.