The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-04-25

OF American soldiers who suppose that
they are fighting for mere military glory,
or that in this critical hour they are con-
trollsd BY ignobie prejudice against color
or race. They are citizens and iAx pay
ers Is well as soldiers. They want the re-
bellion speedily crushed and the supreme
authority Of the law established. leaving
social and political questions to be settled
Afterwards. They feel that the desertion
Of every colured soldier, arti6cer or labor
er from the rebellious States withdraws
aid and support from the rebellion, and
brings 1t so much nearer to an end. They
cannot understand, nor can /, that refined
casnistry that iustiies as in converting the
enemy's horse or OK to our use, and in
turning their inanimate engines of .des-
truction against themselves, but denies to
us the right to turn their slaves, their an
innate hostile engines in human form, to
the same purpose. They cannot imagine
why IT is that some gentlemen are 80 will
ling that men of the African race should
labor for them, and SO unwilling that they
should fight for them.
What wonderful difference of action
and sentiment there is on this subject be-
tween the officers Of the navy and army.
While officers of the army have disgraced
thems elves, annoyed and incensed their
subordinates, dishonored the country, and
injured the public service by the promul-
CATION of their ridiculous orders about
slaves, no officer of the Navy, thank
God, has ever descended to follow their
example. Their noble, manly. generous
hearts would revolt at the idea Of having
imposed upon them the humiliating duty
OF capturing and returning fugitives
slaves. They serve their country. not
rebel slaveowners. They think the duty
TO the country requires them TO avail
themselves OF the services of these people
instead Of driving them back to their mas
ters or suffering them 10 starye; and they
act upon this conviction. At the taking
Of Hstteras, one Of the large guns .of the
Minnesota was wholly manned and work
ed by persons called "contrabands," and
no gun on the ship was better served
These people are, it is well known, re-
markabie for the profciency they soon ac-
qalre as cannoneers. On the same ship
is boats crew, every one of whom, in
cluding the coxswain, is a colored man,
and there are none more skillful, or rem
der more satisfactory service to the off,
GERS of the vessel The whole country
knows the services rendered by them to
Commodore Dupont and the vessels un-
der his command. They have acted as
pilots, and in the most important posi-
tions. and have the authority of the two
superior officers Of the feet for saying that
they have never been deceived or misled
by any one Of them. / am convinced that
our expedition to the South Atlantic coast
would not have been SO perfect success
as 1t has teen but for the slaves found
there, aud who were employed by our Of
fcers. There are more or less of them
on all onr vessels Of war. They are eff
cient men, and their presence produces
no discordemong the crews.
Mr.. President, | wish to be distinctly
understood. l advocate no indiscrimi-
nate armins of the colored race, although
| frankly confess would do SO were it
necessary to put down the rebellion. I
do not favor this proposition merely be-
cause OF its anti-slave tendency. ] approve
of it because it will result in saving of
human life and in bringing the rebellion
to speedier terminasion, It is mY bus
mess to aid in bring this war to close by
conquering an unconditional peace in the
least expensive and spsediest manner pos
slble. Acting upon this idea Of my du-
ty, and believing that humanity aud the
best interests Of the country require the
enrolment ofa few ealored regiments for
garrisoning the Southern forts, l shall
vote, whenever an opportunity shall be
afforded me, for converting portion of
the colored refugees into soldiers, instead
Of forcing them back into servitude to
their rebel masters and their rebel gov
ernment. We may hesitate to do this.
Our hesitation will cost us the valuable
lives OF many Of our own race who are
near aud dear to US. Our hesitation to use
the means which Providence seems to have
placed in our hands for crushing The re-
bellioD may carry desolation to many
loyal hearthstoDe. But We must adopt
this policy sooner or later, and in my
opinion the sooner We do it the better
The rebels have this day thousands of
slaves throwing up intrenchmsnts and re-
doubts At Yorktown. and Thousands Of
them performing military duty elsewhere.
And yet We hesitate and doubt the pro-
priety Of employing the same race Of peo-
pie to defend ourselves and our institu-
tions against them. Mr.. President, how
long shall We hesitate !?