The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-12-12
DECEMBER 10, 1862.
[hs IeffersoQiap 9eMccrat
JULIUS o, CONVERSE, Editor,
CHARDsy, OHIO, FRIDAY, DEC, 10, 1864
Secretary Stanton on the Contraband
Question,

war, MI. stanton, closes Win some re-
marks on the subject Of the employment
OF the slaves Of Rebels in the suppression
Of the Rebellion, which embody so much
practical wisdom that we cannot forbear
TO copy them entire. Mr.. Stanon's an
iecedents, it is well known, are Democratic;
yet, as a patriot and statesman, be can
not ignore the important relation which
the slaves OF the South sustain 10 the Gov.
ernment in this crisis. He sees clearly
that they constitute an important element
either OF success or defeat, and would in.
sure the strength of that element TO the
side OF the Union. Hitherto blind, sui
Cidal policy has suffered The Rebels 10 de.
rive every advantage from it, at the ex.
pense OF the Union cause. We nope the
suggestions of Mr.. Stanton will be beeded.
No man can object 10 them who does not
value the preservation Of Slavery more
than the success Of the Goverumcn,
No uphosism is moro u:ivorsaly received
than that "tho sole Jhicct Of a Just war is to
mako tho onemy fooI tho evils CG bis inus
tice, aud by his sulEerings amond bis ways;
he must therefore be attacked in his most
accessible quarters" Tho power of tho
Rebels rests upon their peculiar system OF
labor, which keeps laborers on thoir planta.
tions TO support ownors who aro duyoting
their tine aud strength to destroy our
armies and destroy our Government. -
Whenever tha. system is IN hostility to
the Government, 1t is, in my opinion, tho
duty OF those conducting tho war to strike
down tho system, and turn against the
Rebels the productive power that upholds
the insurrection. Rightly organized in the
recovered territory, the abOrurs of tho
Rebel States will not only aid in holdug
fortified positions, but their labor will, as in
India, free tho white soldier from the most
unwho'csome posure of :ho South. They
will cultivate tho corn aud forage, which
will feed our cavalry and artillery horses
and save the country IL portion OF tho onor
nous burden now Attending thoir purchase
aud transport from tho North. This cult
yation would have beon of greater adyau-
tage to us on the South Eastern coast than
oven that of tho grea. staple of tho Sea
Islands.
Probably the people who remained on
those islands, within protection OF oul
armies, could, under wise control have sup
piled all tho forage needed this yoar BY The
forces 10 the Department CT the South
The full ration for a horse weighs twenty
Bix pounds, that of soldier three pounds
An army vol organized and equppo,
for actiyo operations, With duo propoItiol
of cavalry, artillery, and baggage trains
will have not less than one horse or mul,
20 every four soldiers, SO that tho weigh
OF food for the animals is moro than douLl,
that OF tho rations of tho mon.
How important an aid, how great NJ
economy, in long contest, therefore. woul
there be in raising by this cheap labor tn
creator part OF tho forage alone for tn
Southern Department, thus for create
portion of our wants transferring the has
OF supplies now at New York to Hilto
Hoad or New Orleans.
The Department has found it difficult {
transfer this labor from ono part of the seu
of war to another. Local and family lie
seem to be very strong with these pcopI,
and with all their faith in the power an
good will of our military commanders,
was found difficult to get volunteer laboror
TO loayo Port Royal for other depots.
interests Of tho Union, with slight nssistanc
from the army, will under proper rsguIatio
and govornmont, DO of the greatest nssis
ance in holding the territory once reoovoroC
The principal staples of tho South are th
product exclusively of th0ir labor. II prt
footed upon tho lands they have heret,
fore cultivated with some organization, an
with support from small dotachments
loyal troops, they would not only produ
much of what is needed to feed our armi
and their trains, but they would forUv
cut of from tho Rebellion tho resources
country thus occupied.
Tho Rebel armies move with easo tbroul
portions Of the Border States, living upt
tho country In which our commanders ir
boards aud offer them 10 tho RcboIs I
sale or gift. Protect tho lRboring popul
tion, VINO are tho majority in tho great
part of tho South in tho possession of /
land and it's products. and this great q
vantage will, for whatever portion of t
country VIC occupy, be transferred to
As soon as the coast is thoroughly occupiC
and the people organized trudo will rovr
Cotton, rice, sugar, and other products, "
be exchanged by the PRODUCER for what
needs Their wants will be supplied dir,
from the Northern factories, aud the cul
vation ottho great staples will enable lb
to pay for ghat they use. A perfectly Fl
trade may thus again grow up between
North and the Sou To, aHd with greater
less rapidity it will spread over tho VIII
country as our forces succeed in mOet
and dispensing tho Rebel armios.
The greater part of the whole coun
which formerly produced the Sea islG
Cotton 10 now thor oughly restored to
Union. Tho ls5orers are thoro--the
and climate. 1t needs only assurance
protection TO revive the cultivation of
staple, ~ we'll 10 20 produce vast quanti
of corn and forage for our troops, 81
this war must be conducted by marches
baltlos aud sioges, why neglect the
means TO make them successful and ii
result pormauent IL Is worthy Of moi
that thus far the portions OF territory VIII
once recovered, wo have most firmly h,
ara precisely those in which tho great
proportion OF sOlOred mon are found.
their assistance. our armies will bo able I
manehtly to operate in and occupy
country and in labor for tho army,
raising its and their own supplies, full
cupation can DO given them, and with
there will be neither occasion nor tom
tiOn 10 them to emigrato to northern
less conpeIiiai climate,