The Placer herald., 1862-01-11
''SlaVe" PrOpertv.

Nothing is more common among the
Abolition journals than such questions as
as slave property any more sacred than
other property" "Why should more con
sitleration be shown to human chatteIs than
to other chatteIs?' tVc., &c. Now, the wri
ters who pen this gibberish know very well
hat they are endeavoling not only TO mis-
lead the people, but they actually mi,repre
sent the position OF the Administration.
No oue claims or expects 'slave" property
to be treated any differently from other
property, except the Abotionists themselves
The Administration, thus tar, as general
rule. has not treated it altogether different
". though its action has not been in all cases
uniform, and hence the dispute as to It's eX
act position on the subject. This much how
ever. no one who understands the rules and
usages of war can object to, VIZ: that 1t be
treated just as all other property is treated.
The Federal Government claims simply to
be endeavoring to exercise its rightful and
constitutional authority over certain States
that have repudia,ed that authority, but it
cannot claim any power to govern the inter
nal policy of the States without repudiatlng
the very authority under which it presumes
to act 1t claims the constitutional right to
enforce obedience to the Constitution, but
surely it cannot have right constitutions
allv or otherwise, to enforce obedience to
any demand not authorized by the Constitu'
ton. The right to confscate the property
of enemies in war is acllnow wledged by all.
Hence if the Administration comes in posses,
sion of property, no matter of what kind it
may dispose of it for the use of the govern
ment. All the States have different laws,
rules and regulations, as to what is proper
ty and what is not, and without interfering
with these local laws or regulations, the Ad-
mnistration should act upon them. This
plan is simple, plain and constitutional, and
if at once laid down, distinctly and broadly,
it would remove all doubt and uncertainty
from the public mind and, above all, silence
the harping of the Abolitionists, about its
"treating slave property differently from 9th
er property
But while these gentry talk in this way, it
is worthy Of note that they are the very peo,
ple who demand that "slave property snail
be treated differently from other property"
For instance, instead of having all kinds
confscated and sold for the use Of the gov
ernment lney ueSlio " 'll"ho o'o oA"o''io",
viz: negroes, whom they wish emancpated.
They know very well that the Federal Gov
ernment has no power of emancipation, that
being an acknowledged State right; but no
matter, they claim that it shall assume this
power. and turn loose in the southern States
all the negroes of "rebel masters" which
would doubtless be the whole number. The
effect of this they impudently assume, would
be beneficial in the face Of the deplorable
failures that have attended every act of the
kind. The fact however, stares US In the
face that the North has not the power, even
had it the will to do it; but suppose 1t had
both. what would be the result OF such step:
Why, by selling the negroes from rebel"
TO slovaI" masters, as these men could 40
inst as easily as to set them free, they would
nav the whole cost OF the war without re-
sorting to taxation. But more than all,
these negroes would not only be useless II
set free. but they would be a constant tax
upon the white laboring and producing
classes, afterwards. Ill.,,
But the real aim and object OF these
men are too apparent not to be understood
Thev wish either to conquer the Sou'he'"