Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-08-11

OF c0l9Etu bOiNl1Ali eNeAy "+At~ ~
enlists or is drafted goes into he 'Oar as
subs6mie yoF negro. For there are mil
lion men, strong, ablo-bOdied, healthy,
hardy, accustomed to hard work, who can
endure fatigue, who are accustomed to the
heat and the malarias Of the South, and
these men can be / for the asking. They
are willing and eager to fight. They will
ask no bounty and be satisfied with their
ratiOns, and will fight like heroes against
the southern rebels. But these men are
not accepted, because their skin is darker
than that Of the men who are now in the
army. They are able to fight, ready to
fight, but are not allowed to fight and so
to fll the places that they would I'll in
the ranks, white men must be taken as
their substitutes. Surely it would seem
that the charge Of the anti-negro party
that the niger was getting to be better
than a white man" was correct Now we
esteem q negro no better than white man
and would not grant him especial exemp-
tiOn from the dangers of war at the ex-
penss Of the latter. We would have him
share the labOrs and the casualties Of war
with the men whom we Of the North
have already put into hefeldi and if any
body is to be shot down from our ranks,
we have no such partiality as would make
sure provision that the victim be white
man and not a negro.
Nor do we see in what respect copper
color is more available than yellow, brown
or black. In other words, why are In
dians accepted in the Union army and ne
groes excluded? Is there any more civil
ization among the former than the latter2
Are they better able TO bear the hardships
Of WARP Are they any more the true
friends of the Government Have they,
during the war, shown SO great desire
to befriend and assist the Federal army
as have the despised and rejected slaves
Have they 50 much at stake as the lblackss
and if not, by what possible reasoning can
it be shown that they will fight better? Or,
failing to establish case against the ne
grOupOn any of these grounds, must we come
down to the plain acknowledgement that
IN this day of our need vast army Of ca
pable and earnest soldiers is refused, SIM
ply from blind Difference to an antiquated
prejudice?
The very men, both in the army and out
who oppose most vehemently, the employ
msut Of negroes as soldiers, are the ones
who proclaim this " war for the sake OF
the Niger" Why then, in Heavens name,
not make the negro fight for himself and
not leave all the work to be done by white
menY There is no need to ask the ques-
ton whether they will fight. History an
swers this question most satisfactorily
The black soldiers of Rhode Island have
left record which will stimulate the valor
Of the regiment which Governor sprague
has now called into the field.
As fitting document to be used in con-
nection with this subject, the following
proclamation Of General Jackson to the
free blacks Of Louisiana during the war
On Io1s, -,,i,a - - --i4h interest at this
time:
HEADoUARTERs 7FH MILITARY DISTRICT, I
MOBILE, Sept. p, 1914. :
To the free c0Iored Inhabitants of LOua'-
| ana
Through a mistaken policy you have
been heretofore deprived Of participation
| in the glorious struggle for national rights
| in which our country is engaged. This
no longer shall exist:
| As sons Of freedom, you are now called
upon to defend our most inestimable bless
/ ings. As Americans, your country looks
/ with confidence to her adopted children
for valorous support, as q faithful return
for the advantages enjoyed under her mild
and equitable government. AS fathers,
husbands and brothers, you are summoned
I 70 rally around the standard Of the eagle
! to defend all which is dear in existence.
Your country, although calling for your
exertions, does not wish you to engage in
her cause without remunerating you for
the services rendered. Your intelligent
minds are not to be led away by false
representations. Your love of honor
would cause you to despise the man who
should attempt to deceive you. With the
sincerity Of soldier, and the language of
truth, address you.
To every noble-hearted freeman Of color
Volunteering to serve during the present
contest with Great Britain, and no longer,
there will be paid the same bounty, in
money and lands now received by the white
soldiers Of the United States, namely.
SPA in money and 160 acres of land.
The non-eommissioned officers and pri-
Yates will also be entitled to the same
monthly pay, daily rations and clothes,
| furnished to any American soldier.
On enrolling yourselves in companies,
the Major General commanding you will
select officers for your Government from
your white fellow citizens. Your non
| commissioned officers viii be appointed
from among yourselves. Due regard will
be paid to the feelings Of freemen and
soldiers. You viii not, by being associated
! with white men in the same corps, be ex-
posed TO improper comparison or unjust
sarcasm. As a distinct, Independent bat
talon or regiment, pursuing the path Of
glory, you will, undivided, receive the ap-
plause and gratitude Of your cOuntrymen.
To assure you Of the sincerity Of my in
tentions, and my anxiety to engage your
invaluable services TO our country, have
! communicated my wishes to the Governor
Of Louisiana, who is fully informed as to
the manner Of enrollments. and will give
you every necessary information on the
subject Of this address.
ANDREW JACKSON.