The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-27
General Phelps and the Vexed Question of
Slavery.

Slavery.
The New York Tribune publishes full history,
written by Gen. Phelps, of his difficulty with Gen.
Butter. and which led 70 the formers resignation
1t embraces numerous letters, and is much too long
for publication in our columns. We, however,
cannot refrain from re-printing the introduction
and close of the communication. Gen. Phelps
says;
Certain letters OF mine nave recently oeen pub
lshed, relating to the military service in Louis
lana. But as these letters are only part Of those
which were written on tie sui ect to which they
allude, it seems due TO the country and to the
present state OF our affairs that the whole should
be made public. A clear idea cannot be otherwise
formed Of the important points which are involved
in the correspondence. One of these points goes
to SHOW that military seroice cannot be success
fully carried on u conducted IN subordination 10
the td,ns of an institution Which causes The udr.
To assert the principles OF Liberty by force OF
arms and still respect the institution of Slavery
simp military mpoSs1blhty.
My position in the Department OF the Gulf was
at loint on the Mississippi above New Orleans,
where, as the agent of free Government, the
question of Slavery became an intensely practical
one with me. ! found mySe in the midst of a
slave regoo, where The institution existed in all its
PRIDE and gloom, and where It's victims needed no
inducement from me 10 seek the prot Ction OF our
fag-that flag, which now after long interval,
CLEANED once more amid the darkling scene like
the efusion Of morning light Fugilives began
to thlopg to our lines in large numbers Some
came loaded with chains and barbarous irons !;
some bleeding with birdshot wounds many had
been deeply scored with ashes and all complained
of the extinction Of Their moral rights They had
originally come chiefly from Maryland, Virginia
and North Carolina, and were generally religious
per- onS, who bad been accus omed to better treat
ment than that which they exper enced there.
| arrived at this point, subsequently called
Camp Parapet, III The first few days of May, and
occupied the pace with several New England reg
iment, and o4;teries There soon be. an to re-
ceiye letters and directions from the Commander
of the apartment. which appeared to me hardly
IN accordance either with the spirit Of our nstitu-
tions or the laws OF the land. And above ALL
they showed the want OF a general plan or policy
on the part OF the Governmen for CARRYING on
the war.
After giving the correspondence with some ex-
plantations, the statement concludes as follows:
As the acceptance Of my resignation reached
me on the Sth OF September, | was spared the
unpleaaantneSs of preterrlng charges against Gen.
Butler for his last Illegal order, which is directly
in opposition TO The new article Of war alluded TO
in this correspondence, and which PROHIBITS any
Officer OF the Army from returning a fugitive
slave. Acts Q. this kind, which are done in the
name of Slavery, will demoraze an army as
much as Slavery itself.
1t Is evident to me, from long period Of SER
wee IN the SOUTHWEST, that decided course of
policy is necessary on the part Of our Government,
and tn Il that policy should be the immediate and
unconditional abn..ian Of Slavery. 1t is an evil
OF lhe worst KIND, standing rebellion against free
institutions No Shareholder, as SUCH can be low
al to a free governmtn, The present crisis is
vercabIe revolution hich must either revolution
'ze free men ont OF their habits OF Freedom or
shareholders out OF their habits OF Slavery
The Il ar millions OF Africans in the United
States are organized for agricultural purposes and
are held to labor by the force Of chains, stocks,
and the lash, at the will of the master This sys-
TEN OF labor renders despotic government po-
itlca necessity, and the only means of preventing
1t, Is to reorganize these Africans with view TO
oubordnation to democratic institutions In the
pace .! the master, the o. erseer and the driver
we rnust substitute the Colonel, Lieutenant Colo
mel, and Major OF a military organization, appoint.
ing men to these positions Of the highest standing
and character, and of the most approved loyalty
and patriotism. This is the only way that we can
reclaim the slave from his despotic uses and rem
der him subordinate to the democratic institutions
of the country. 1t is the only way by which we
can manage him with the least possible loss to our
liberties and the least amour, of detriment to the
interests OF the master.
Il is now about ten months. since | left the
North to engage in the expedition against New
Orleans, during which time, upward offour months
have been spent in the vicinity of that city, and
yet no progress seems to have been made in re-
storing peace or quelling the rebellion. On the
contrary, after perfect useless delay and i'm.
mense expenditure of life and treasure, he state
of things is worse than ever. Delays are danger
Gus and never more than in military matters
They tend to compromise our liberties as well as
injure the interests of the whole Union. Con-
WINGED Of this, have omitted no opportunity or
means that my position has offered, even to the
sacrifice OF my commission, 10 awaken the atten-
ton of the President and the country. Toignore
Slavery 10 the present crisis is but little less dis
astrous than Slavery itself
J. W. PHELPS, Late Bri Gen Volunteers.
New York, Sept. 20, 1862.