New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-11-21
RLACk SCEDIE as.

BLACK SOLDIERS.
The time may never when the ext.
eences of the Government viii compel US to
employ the Southern Blacks in large Plumbers
az soldiers. But it must be evident to all.
that certain emergencies may arise upon q
great, as they have already arisen upon q
small scale, when our Commanders will ba
only too happy TO forget their preludiee' aud
to avaii themselves OF Whatever physical forces
may be sttainab.e. A General who is reso-
lutcly bent upon saving battle or maintaining
position will care very little for toe color Of
his troops, if they do not turn out to DO
cream.iaced looms" Il has been taken for
granted, by mea whose hatred OF the African
il inyincible, that he cannot become good
soldier: but this merely moons that, except 10
the simplest agricultural employment the Black
ia good for n0tliDg-a sheer assumption, and
one plumply cOltrad!cted by the fact that
Slaves are proficient IN many OF the mechanical
arts But tue truth is, that a race without
liberty is precisely in the position of man
without opportunity, AID can no more be
blamed for clumsne:s and innpi,ade ,han
close prisoner Tor DIS ignorance OF Inc anair'
of the world. The merest martinez Of drill.
SERGEANT does not expect the recruit TO be ac'
complshed in the mnnuaexercise. War isa
trade at which the man of peaceful pursuits
must serve considerable apprenticeship.
Alter long and repeated drills he may attain
preci.ion of movement and only experience
can give him nouchalauco 10 the face OF dan-
GER. There are, however, certain natural
qualities and acquired habits which make 1t
possible TO convert the recruit into an efficient
solder: and these we assert, the Black pos
sesses to remarkable degree. They axe as
follows:
/. Tie hiiqiire Faculty. War Is very much
a matter OF routine, as discipline oil
example. One soldier 10 required TO do only
what thousands around him are dong; aud
although he may at first he lsughaby clumsy,
hi, stupidity must be indeed great should be
tail TO acquire certain simple bodily move
mcn,s which do not demand much thought.
aud ia time become, with the expert, second
nature. The Initiative Faculty, it IL admitted.
is one possessed by the African IN tie highest
degree. He does or he attempts TO do what
lie sees others doing.
IL. Lore IF APpy0basion This quality OF he
mind has been stimulated in the Black by
centuries of entire dependence. not merely for
the pleasures, but tbs absolute necessitiss Of
he, upon the complacency Of driver. 1t
ms been the business Of the negro with or
without the expressed appreciation of h.s
owner, at least to save himself from the lash,
by performing the duties of his station 10 the
tolerable satisfaction OF his owner. Whoever
is always liz the eye OF the taskmastcr viii
learn to be grateful for Little iavors, and to
appreciate the least Indications OF approval
Upon this Love OF Appreciation the whole
military system is founded, With ~ rewar1s
and punsbments, its appeals and ITS threats
Tie officer with one cpaulette upon DIS
shoulder dcsires two. not because TWO MAKE
more symmetrical display, but because they
prove that the wearer has won dis1nctlon
either by galantry or long service. Thanks VI
Orders of the Day. aud Honorable Mention ~
Dispatches, are parts OF the same system o.
appeals TO an admitted passion OF our nature
III. Habits of OJsdiencc.-lt the Black, oy
80 many wears OF discipline, extending over bis
whole life, has not acquired those habits Of
obedience which are absolutely essential TO tue
private soldier, then the very claim which
urged for the system Of Slavery. that It IS OIL
n patriarchal nature and analogous 10 tne
family relation, will appear at once 70 be iHa''
crously uuiounded. The discipline OF tne
camp differs, it is true, from the discipline Oh
the plantation, because \ responsibility W
fixed law, and to q still higher authority III"
its the arrogance of subordinate ofhcor'' anu
men are not multreated out Of puro caprice
passion or cruelty. Bat, rs the duty OF 'H'
soldier presupposes that no ~ rational oc.As'
and no, merely beast, it would be absurd "
insist that tho Black, who has proved Sibsu'
larry acqniescent under an exceeding "ro"S.
will be FESTIVE uuder more mislgatea A'N
enlightened restraint. .v m.
~ Phss,cai Sfrrwsh.--Ws neea "s's'
~, upou this point. upon its imPof%ng
,bc soldiss, or upon tho patsat ises toa' III
generations II Nssroa., coost'HtN ''''''''SrN