The weekly sun. (New York [N.Y.]) 1851-1869, 1862-05-24

Settlement Of the Negro Question.

" we mistake not, the Emancipation Proci-
nation Of General lluSIKR, published on our
first page, unpi ,.eniing "a 1t appears, il signih
cant as the gcr,H of settlement vi the great
American question of slavery. TnE SrS has
heretofore expressed its conviction that the
question of emancipation rested with the Prosi-
dent, to be used weapon Of military neccs-
sity, whenever in his judgment it should be
deemed requisite We have also expressed the
opinion that II, after strenuous efforts to subdue
the rebellion, without resort 10 emancipation,
the warm season should approach with the work
incomplete, that emancipation would bs de-
clsred, and the aid of the slaves invoked TO meet
the rigors and climatic difficulties of a Southern
summer campaign.
General hrNrrR il not the man to have
taken such step without the advice and coun-
tenance Of the President lie has cxhbtsa
none Of the insanity Of General PnELrs. nor the
self-suificicncy Of JomS c. FREMoSr, but has
gecognizoi the fact that to his military and civic
superiors his first duties were due In III" way
Of consultation, before steps duplicating the
administration were adopted. His department
has also been the theatre of largest experience in
ue Hi'oti'i' "h'f i'i''o'i 's' ''@''''
ra.siny character has prcssnte, to him greater
difficulties than ARE incurrol in his military
movements. II is as natural, therefore, a. 1t Is
proper that the first steps Of the new movement
should einlnate from Port ROYAL, rather than
from Washington, and such is the case.
We now have before Us, doubtless, President
LrScoLS's views on this subject and they Ar.
such, as we understand them, that will be- hearti
" endorsed by the lr'a mass OF our Norther'
people. That Saml,o snow disqualified for thai
unlimited freedom which the radicals, in and ou
ofConsrcss, ask for him, is clear it is proven b.,
the dictates Of common sense, and Of experience
The condition of the contrahinds at Port Royal
Fortress Monroe and els where, j. that Of li,tle'
ease AMI Inactivity without prudent though
for the future, or a suppp'ition that c'lpn In
wolves work as steadily pursued N that OF slave
~. 7hey-thc negroes-wonld take our ra
tions. and wear our clothes illimitahly, with
mt work or return, ii not forced from them
and, at the end Of few years, would become
population of rad men, too Formidable TO h' tol
Grated under any form Of government inciici
TO a free people. The North could not il
would, and would not, II it could bear any -uc
burden. The slave must support himself an
support the government required for him, unt
the operation of gradual emancipation laws, col
ceiyed after deliberate care, wisdom and exp'
rience, shall educate his race for freedom and d
liver 1t from bondage.
II we mistake not, the initistory movemei
at Port Royal will he followed throughout Il
South, aud the rebel slave owner will find th'
the great war will not b. waged, nor emancipI
ton leave his property scatheless. The sla'
owners will learn its cost, and the contr;
bands who come to our limos will learn no long
TO remain helpless and rapidly increasing bu
den, but such labor shall pay for their su
P0t will be required OF them, now, temporaril
and under military legislation, afterwards, pc
manently, dunder thatOf Congress.