The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-04-24

Aer ~ slavss ~ tAs Arny.
On motion Of Mr.. Wilson, OF Massa-
chusetts, the Senate proceeded to consid-
cr the following resolution, submitted by
him on the 3D. Of April
Resolued, That the Committee on Mil
itafy Affairs and the militia, be directed
to consider and report whether any fur
ther Legislation is necessary to prevent
persons employed In the military service
of the United States from aiding in the
return or control of persons claimed
as fugitive slaves, and to punish them
therefor.
Mr. Grimes. / propose to amend the
resolution BY adding to it !:
And to report what reorganiz ttion Of
the Army and its personncl. or otherwise,
may be necessary to promote the public
welfare and bring the rebellion to a speedy
and triumphant end
1t is, Of course, to be expected that
there will be great differences Of opinion
among the friends TO the Government as
to the manner in which the present war
should be conducted. Such differences
are the natural results of our various do
mestic Institutions, systems Of education,
modes of thought. degrees If civilization,
and of individual opinions of the neces-
sites of our situation. But there are
certain great fundamental principles up
on which, one would think, all ought to
agree We certainly ought to do moth
ing and suffer nothing to be done calcu-
lated in any degree to repel or paralyze
the efforts of our friends nj home, who are
doing everything in their power To en-
courage and sustain the soldiers in the
field While inculcating the necessity Of
the stric.est obedience to military duty,
it should be constantly borne in mind that
ours are citizen soldiery, soon to return
TO the bosom of civil society, and that the
performance Of no unsoidicry duty should
be required Of them that would be calcu-
lated to impair their self-respect, dimin-
ish their regard for their officers, incite
them to rebel against discipline, or taint
their regulations at home. 1t must not
be expected that the natural instincts of
humanity viii be stifed by military or
ders, and surely our soldiers should not
be required to assist in the preparation of
acts against which every enlightened SEN
timent of their hearts revolt. One would
think that all men would agree in pro-
neuncing that cruel and despotic order
which repeals the Divine precept ''inas-
much as ye did il not to one of the least
Of these ye did it not to me- and arbi-
trarily forbds the soldier to bestow crust
Of bread and cup of water upon a
wretched, famishing fugitive escaping
from our own as well as fiom his enemy.
Yet, Mr.. President, grieyc to say that
there are those in rank in the service Of
the United States who have sought to
break down the spirit of manhood, which
is the crowning glory of true soldiers, by
requiring them TO do acts outside of their
profession which they abhor, and to
smother all Impulses to those deeds of
charity which they have been taught to
believe are the characteristics OF Chris
.ian gentlemen.
1t was known to the country at an ear
" day after the commencement of the
var, that some military commanders were
abusing the great power intrustcd to them
and were employing the army to assist in
the capture and rendition of fugitive
slaves, not in aid Of any judicial process,
but in obedience to their own unbridled
will. The effect Of this unbridled as
sumption Of unauthorized power was to
incite the soldiery to disobediencc, and to
arouse the people to the necessity Of prop
er Legislative restraints. 1t WAS in COM
pliance with the popular sentiment on this
subject that Congress enacted the #addi-
tional article Of war, which was approved
on the 18th OF March last. and which de-
clared that 9 4
''All officers or persons in the military
or Naval service of the United States are
prohibited from employing any of the
forces under their respective commands
for the purpose of returning fugitives4
from service or labor, who may have es-
capped from any persons to whom sach SER
vice or labor is claimed to be due, and
any officer who shall be found guilty
by court-martial Of violating this article
shall be dismissed from the service
1t was Intended by this article to pre-
vent the military service from becoming
odious TO the people who support the war,
and degrading to those who have volun-
teered % fight under our banners. 1t
simply declares that the army Of the Uni
ted States shall not be perverted from the
legitimate nse for which i was raised,
while it interferss in no degee with the
claim Of any man to person alleged 10
be 4 slave it leaves questions Of that
character to be settled, and rights OF that
description tp b enforced by other than
The military authority. The intention Of
those who voted for that article Wa, not
10 abridge any mans riehts, hut "a leave
every one TO his legal remedies q though