Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-12-13

other depOts.
a population of four millions true to
the interests of the Union, with slight as
sistance from the army, will, under proper
regulation and government, be of the
greatest assistance in holding the territory
once recovered. The principal staples Of
the South are the product exclusively of
their labor. If protected upon the lauds
they have heretofore cultivated, with
some organization. and with support from
small detachments of loyal troops, they
would not only produce much of what is
needed to feed our armies and their trains,
but they would forever cut off from the
rebellion the resources of a country thus
occupied.
The rebel armies move with ease thro'
portions of the border States, living upon
the countries in which our commands fad
no supplies. The people bring forth their
hoard and offer them to the rebels for sale
Or gift. Protect the laboring population
who are the majority in the greater part
of the South, in possession of the land
and its products, and this great advantage
will, tor whatever portion of the country
we occupy, be transferred to Us. As soon
as the coast is thoroughly occupied, and
the people organized, trade will revive.
Cotton, rice, sugar and other products will
be exchanged by the producer for what
needs. Their wants will be supplied di-
rect from the Northern factories, and the
cultivation of the great staples will enable
them to pay for what they use. 4 per-
tectly free trade will thus again grow up
between the North and the South, and
with greater or less rapidity it will spread
over the whole country as our forces sue
coed in meeting and dispensing the rebel
armies.
The greater part of the whole country
which formerly produced the sea island
cotton IS now thoroughly restored to the
Union. The laborers are there-the soil
aud climate. 1t needs only assurance of
protection to revive the cultivation of the
staple, as we'll as to produce vast quaint
ties of corn and forage for our troops
Since this war must be conducted by
marches and battles and sieges, why neg
lect the best means to make them success
full and their results permanent It is
worthy Of notice that thus tar the por-
tons of territory which, once recovered.
we have most firmly held, are precisely
those ID which the greatest proportion of
colored men are found. BY their assis-
lance. our armies will be able permanent.
ly to operate in and occupy the country
and IN labor for the army, in raising its
and their own supplies, full occupation
can be given them, and with this there
will be neither occasion nor temptation to
them to einigrate to northern and less
congenial climate.
Judging by experience, no coIored man
will leave his home in the South, if pro-
tected in that home. All possibility of
competition from negro labor in the North
is avoided in giving colored men protect
ion and employment upon the soil which
they have thus far cultivated, and the
right to which has been vacated by the
original proprietors, deeply involved in
the crime Of treason and rebellion. No
great territory has been permanently re-
duced without depriving the leaders of its
people of their lands and property. It is
these that give power and influence. Few
men have the commanding genius and tai
ent to exercise dangerous influence over
their fellow man without the adventurous
aid of money and of property. By strik-
ing down this system of compulsory labor,
which enables the leaders of the rebellion
to control she resources Of the people, the
rebellion would die of itself.
Under no circumstances has any dispo-
sition to servile Instruction been exhibit
ted by the colored population in any
Southern State, while strong loyalty to
the Federal Government has been dis
played on every occasion, and against
every encouragement. By the means
| cd ha ho 4
and subdued swiftly and effectually, and
the lives of our own people saved from
slaughter on the battle field. By the oc-
cupation of all their forts on the Mississip.
| pl and the sea coast, a market will be
opened il every rebel State for the indus
try of our people to supply the wants of
the army, and also of loyal population,
in exchange for the valuable products of
their labor. Another point of attack is
By armed sentiments upon vacant Gov
eminent lands in Florida and Texas
Thousands in the Northern and Western
States are impatiently waiting the signal
of military movement to plant their homes
IN the best territory of this continent, and
bring it back to the Union as loyal States.
So far from the Southern States being in
Vlnclble, no enemy was ever so vulnerable,
If the means at hand are employed against
them. II your proposition for compensa-
ted emancipation, and voluntary return
to loyalty, be blindly rejected, still the
proper application of the means at com
mand of the Government cannot fail to
accomplish the suppression OF the rebel
lion and a restoration of those peaceful
relations which were designed to be es-
tablshed forever On this continent by the
| Union of the States.
ARTEMAs WARD AS AN EDIroR.-In the
autumn of IS, my friend, the editor of
the Baldinsville Bugze, was ooleeged to
to leave his professional dooties & go and
dig his taters, & he axed me to edit for
him doorin his absence. Accordingly |
ground up his Sheers and common ced. It
didn't take me great while to slash out
koppy enuff from the zchanges for l issoo,
and thawt I'd ride up to the next town