, 1861-12-05


While it is plain that the slave property Of
the South is justly subjected to all the consc-
aucnces OF this Ecbellious wAE, and that the
Government would be untrue to its trust ID
not employing all tho rights and powers OF
war to bring it to speedy close, the details
of the plan for doing SO, like I'LL other military
measures, must, in great degree, be LETT to
DC determined by particular exigcneies. The
disposition Of other property belonging to the
| rebels that becomes subject to our arms Is
| governed by the circumstances Of the casc.
| TIE GoerYn7nfnt Aas no poaeef 10 hotd S{utts,
none to TesfYuin Il STARE Of has liberty 7iot
to ezact his sesrice. II las right, ho'reeer,
| to use tile voluntary service Of slaTes liberated
| by WAIT from their rebc1 masters, likcany other
property of the rebels, i'll whatever mode may
| BE- most efficient for the defence OF tho Coy
ernment, the prosecution Of the war, and the
suppression Of the rebellion. n is as CLEARLY a
3iqht Of tic Gor.1n1ne,tt 10 arm s7as*s when it
| may become necessary, as 1t Is to use gun
powder taken from the enemy. Whether it is
cxpedicnt to do so is spsTely military question.
The eypcdicucy must BIZ determined By cir
cumstanccs keeping III view the great object
vi overcoming the rebels, re-cstaIlislliny lhc
| laws, md restoring peace TO the 1ation.
It is vain and idle for the Government to
ca1ry on this war, or hope to maintain its ex-
istence against rcbcllious force, acithout c's-
zloying little rights aud 2ouc7s Of rear. AZ has
been said, thu right to deprive the rebels o1
their property III sElyes and slave labor, is a.
| clear and absolute, is tue ri ght to take foragt
from tile field, or cotton from the warehouse
, or powder and arms from the magazine. Tt
| leave the enemy in the possession Of sucl
I property as fozagc and cotton and military
stores, aud thc means of constantly rcproduc
: ing them, would bc madness. It Is, therefore
cqaal madaess to {edre thtas in EeaceJM aud secur
possession Of slase property more ea'ua5te 1''s
{ and military stores. S,sch policy seoula BE- na
, tiona. suieidc. What to do with that specie
!, of property, is question that time and cir
= cunst:aice will solve, and need not he anti;l
:. pated further than 10 repeat that they cn7'tot
! held bat tie G1tv7H1ae7tt as slarTs. It would b
= useless to keep them as prisoners Of war: an
: selEpreseryation, the highest duty of gov
= ernment, or Of Individuals demands that the
: should be disposed Of or employed in the mo
effective aaaaeHcr that will tend most speedily t
r. suppress the insurrection and restore the AT
$ thority of the Government If it shall b
d found that the men who have been held BY til
C rebels rs slaves arc capable OF bearing aru!
Il and performing efficient military service, it
c the right and may become the duty Of til
Government to arm and fqu{p them. and en-
zJov their ae77,ices against the Tebe1s undo
proper military regulation, discipline an
command
But in whatever manner they may be use
n ly the Government, it is plain that, once li6e'
: afet7 by the rebellious act Of thcr 1nastcr
4 | fhtu sIosld nt1sT again be restored to boad13
Z By the masters treason and rebellion be to-
u fGits all right to the labor and service Of hi
Is slave; and the slave OF the renellious n'aste
By his service to the Government. 6eeo"a
Justly entitled to freedom and projection.
= Tie disposition to be made Of the slaves I
~ rebels, after the close Of the war Ire 6afel
= left to the wisdom and patriotism Of CoEgrs5
y The Representatives Of the people will II
d questionably secure the loyal Shareholder
is every right to which they arr cntitlcd undt
n the Constitution Of the country.
SIMON CAMERON, Secretary Of War.
TIA