Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-08-02
Our Army Correspondence,
CAMP NEAR HEDaEMAN RIVER, VA,
Iuly OGth 1890


ed by the jusction of Hedgeman River g.
Carter's Run. Gen. Banks Corps is be.
yond us at Spcrryville.
Gen. Pope's orders doubtless excite as
much comment with you as they do with
us. That relative to disloyal citizens in
our rear taking the oath of allegiance un-
der penalty of being removed beyond our
lines, must be intended for bumcoD.be as
its execution is practically impossible We
leave thousands in our rear who take no
active part in the rebellion, but who cam
not be induced to take the oath of allegi-
ance. You will see at a glance that to
remove them you must depopulate Virgin.
ia. The attempt would have the effect of
adding largely to the rebel ranks, and
making combatants of peaceful citizens
However, l trust the order will be carried
out in respect to those who said and abet,"
the enemy, whether they be North or
South of Mason & Dixon's Line.
The other orders are generally approx
cd. The Presidents order to use slaves
and other property for military purposes,
in my opinion is just and necessary. For
over one year we have been waging a war
to put down o formidable rebellion, and
today they are stro niger than ever. While
llo 1ol
that of the South has been permitted to
remain undisturbed. In fact we have
spared not only the producers, but the
produce. Of what use is it to maintain a
stringent blockade to keep such sup
plies as tea and coffee from the
enemy, and at the same time permit
the necessary staples of wheat and
corn to go scot free The people at homo
must realize that We are engaged in a
deadly war, where it is Gan eye for an eye
and tooth for tooth" Not only is our
honor concerned, but our safety from for
eign aggressors and future domestic seeur-
ity.
l am opposed now as ever have been
to freeing the slaves through a mawkish
philanthrophy; but if we can weaken the
enemy and strengthen ourselves by using
them, it would be highly criminal in US
not to do SO. 1t is not against slavery as
an institution that would war, but against
it as source of strength to the enemy,
and because we can use the negro to as
good advantage as they can. In common
with the whole army I am opposed to their
being classed as soldiers for numerous
reasons. Ono is, it would place them on
an equality with ourselves, which is more
than we allow the free negroes of the
North. But they can drive our wagons,
ambulances, and caissons, dig our cntrcnch-
naents, cook for the men, and thus relieve
them from one-half the labor of the ser
vice. Their rations, clothing, and slight
remuneration are all that they ask, and
surely would be an advance upon their
present condition.
But it may be Inquired, AWhat wall we
do with themW Send them to Africa or
Massachusetts, let the States that do not
want them pass laws prohibiting them
from coming within their jurisdiction, or
let them be bound out to loyal men in
the South. Our experience as well as
that of England, proves that their labor
is necessary for the production of Southern
staples, and system could be devised for
binding them out generally as phiiunthro.
pic as that adopted by England in appren-
ticing the Chinese. This, at any rate,
would be better for the negro than yag.
abond life in the North.
But let it be understood that this order
is not given to benefit the slave, but to
benefit as.
The people of the South can raise no
objection to this procedure. They decided
on war and persist in carrying it on, and
certainly cannot complain if they lose by
it. States which have set at defiance all
national laws, and as far as possible with
drawn themselves from their protection,
cannot expect us to observe theirs. In
other words, contract broken by one
party cannot bind the other; and REBEL.
ious States cannot wage war against the
Supreme Government, and at the same
time claim protection for their property.
! The Democratic party should feel proud
that after such bitter struggle the Oppo.
siion, have recognized the truth of their
doctrine, that "sIe0es are aroperty.' Time
has demonstrated that any Administration,
to be successful, must be conducted on
Democratic principles, and be guided by
Democratic precedents. Il is true that in
| its vast organization there are some eor