Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-12-26
The Emancipated Slaves.

beginning of the rebellion it has been
one of the most difficult to answer thai
has been forced upon us, and its impor-
lance has increased month by month till
now it is scarcely inferior to the question,
how shall we break down the army OF
the rebels? Indeed the two are linked
together SO that when considering the
latter, the former forces itself up and de-
mands the first answer. Gen. Butler
met il at Annapolis, and still more heav-
ily at New Orleans. 1t was met at For
tress Monroe last year, and all along the
lines of our army its importance is in
creasing. BY what has been called a
happy hit, Gen. Butler called them 'con-
trabands." But it was soon seen that In
no proper and full sense could they be
treated as contrabands. If they are pro
perty to the rebels they cannot be used
as such by us. If loyal they cannot be
treated in any other way by US than we
treat loyal white citizens-allow them
the free pursuit of life, liberty and hap
pines,-and as, more Il an coniraband
goods, humanity demands that we feed
and clothe the aged, the women and the
children, who cannot support themselves
or do us any good. The designation
con,raband for them is altogether mis-
homer, and has probably by its common
use helped TO educate the public senti-
ment in wrong direction, as TO what
should be done with them.
They are men. BY our northern laws
and northern sentiment they are 20 be
treated as men. Hold fast this, and it
will suggest just what ought to be done
with them. Call them not contrabands,
nortry to invent some way by which they
can be treated as such, but let our armies
everywhere meet them as it meets white
men. If they are rebels, treat them as
rebels; if loyal, treat them as loyal men.
If they can be used for the work of the
government, in the army or otherwise,
employ them and pay them. If they
can be enlisted into volunteer regiments
do this, and those who are not thus need
ed, encourage to stay on the soil where
they are and to get their own living from
it. and if necessary protect them in the
possession Of the products of their labor
as free men are protected. The princi
Piles of this method of procedure will be
very simple, and the results more salts
factory to us, and more beneficent to them
than any measure that has been proposed,
or probably can be. All of us dsbeieve
in the right of enforced expatriation.--
Few have any confidence in the presi-
dents plan of voluntary emigration. 1t
is simply impracticable and besides, the
negroes must till the southern soil, or il
will be untitled, at least for many years.
Their labor is needed where they are, and
that by all both north and south. All
must suffer without it. In the Gulf
states, the negro is an organic part of
society, and cannot be at once torn away
without intense suffering on both sides,
involving, most of all, the infrm, The wo-
men and children. Tear half the branch I
es out OF living tree, and not only will I
the branches die, but also the tree Itself /
Laws of congress, or military or execu-
tive proclamations will avail little because
they cannot be effective beyond the forced /
authority that supports them. But on
whatever territories our armies hold do I
minion, there the slave can be free, and |
ought to be so far at least as the military
authority goes. The rebel master will
be gone; the loyal master, if such there
be, may appeal TO the civil authorities for
his claimed rights, and if none are TO be
found, it is his misfortune, not our fault,
and he must suffer the loss as best he
may.
Then over such conquered territory let
the negroes be organized into an effective
force call it militia if you please, for
their own defense, and for the country
around them, and the aid of the Union
army.
The negro will thus be put at once up
on his manhood. The strongest stimulus
will be given him to make the best use of
his powers in supporting himself and his
family, and the government that is help.
ing him. Now, is not this simple meth
cd? Is it not just? Is it not feasible !?