Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-09-30
General Phelps and the Vexed Question Of
Slavery

Butler, and which led to the formers resignation.
1t embraces numerous letters, and is much too long
for publication in our columns. We, however,
canno' refrain from re-printing the introduction
and close Oh the communication. Gen. Phelps
SAYS
Certain letters OF mine have recently oeen pub
llshed, relating 10 the military service in Louis
lana. But as these letters are only part Of those
which were written on & t sui ect 10 which they
alude, it seems due to the county and to the
present state Of our affairs that The whole should
be made public. \ clear idea cannot be otherwise
formed Of the important points which are involved
in the correspondence. One OF these points goes
to show that our military Seeice cannot be success
fully carried on j conducted in subOrdination 10
The tG,oS of an institution tohich causes The war
10 assert the principles OF Liberty by force Of
arms and still respect the institution of Slavery is
simply a military impossbty.
My position in the Department Of the Gulf was
at point 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 mysel in the midst OF a
slave r. gior where the institution existed in all its
pride aud gloom, and y here It's victims needed no
inducement from me To seek the prot, elton Of our
lax that flag, which now, otter a long interval,
cleaned once more amid the darkling scene like
the etiusion Of morning light Fugtiyes began
to ,hloug to our lines in large numbers. Some
came loaded with chains and barharouS IRONS
some bleeding with birdshot wounds many had
been deeply scored with ashes and all complained
Of the extinction OF then moral rights. Ihey had
originally come chiefly nom Maryland Virginia
and North Carolina, and were generally religious
persons who had been accustomed to better treat.
ment than that which they experienced there.
/ arrived at lhiS point, subsequently called
Camp Parapet, in the first lew days Of MAY, and
occupied the place with several New England reg
iments and batteries. There soon began to re-
celye letters and directions from the Commander
Of the apartment which appeared to me hardly
N accordance either with the spirit Of our nstitu-
tion> or tbe laws Of the land. And above all,
they showed the want OF a general plan or policy
on the part OF the Government for carrying on
the MAI.
After giving the correspondence with some ex-
plantations the statement concludes as follows:
As the acceptance Of my resignation reached
mt % the Sth Of September, was spared the
unpiea,antuess Of preierrng charges against Gen.
Butler for his last illegal order, which is directly
10 Cpl ositon to ;he new article OF war alluded to
in this correspondence, and which PROHIBITS any
Officer o. the Army from returning fugitive
slave. Acts OF this kind, which are done in the
name OF Slavery, will demorallze an army as
mucl As Slavery itself.
II is evident to me, from d long period of ser
~. q. ..I Il
policy is necessary on the part Of our Government
and 10 . that policy should be the immediate and
unconditional abolition OF Slavery. 1t is an evil
OF the worst Kind standing rebellion against free
Institutions NO stakeholder as such, can be 10y
al 10 a free government. The present crisi, is a
veritaole revolution which must either revolution
lie tree men out Of their habits OF Freedom or
stakeholder, out O their habits Of Slavery.
The z ur millions OF Africans in the United
Statas ar organized for agricultural purposes and
are aeid 20 labor by the force OF chains, stocks,
and the ASH al the viii OF the master. Ihi, syS-
TEN q. labor render, de,potc governments po-
tc.. nece ,ity, aud the nny means OF preventing
IL, is 90 .eo7gluile these Africans with view to
subordinaIion to democratic institutions. In the
p,ac- OF the master, the erseer and the driver,
we must substitute the Colonel, Leutenanl-Colo-
mel, and MAJOR oi military organization, appoint
lng men to these positions OF the highest standing
and character, and OF the most approve loyalty
and atrlotism, This is the only way that We can
reclaim the slave rom HI, de,potic uses and ren-
der him subordinate to the democratic institutions
Of the country, II is the only way 10y which we
can manage him with the leas, possible los, to our
libeytie, and ine least umoun; OF detrment to The
interests o, the MASTER
L IS now about ten months since | LETT the
Norm to engage in the Expedition against New
Orleans, during which time, upward OF four months
have been spent in The vicinity OF that city, and
We; no progress seems to h We been made in re-
storing peace or queIling the rebellion, On the
contrary, after perfectly useless delay and i'm
meG>e expenditure Of lite and treasure, the state
Of things is worse than ever. Delays are danger
Gus and never more so than in military matters.
They tend to compromise our liberties as well as
inlure the interests of the whole Union. Con-
WINGED OF this, have omitted no opportunity or
means that my position las offered, even to the
Sacrihce OF my commission, 0 awaken the atten-
ton OF the President and the country. rognore
Slavery in the present crisis is but little less dis
astious than Slavery itself.
Nv. PHELPS Late Brl.-Gen Volunteers.
New York, Sept. 20, 1862.
We cannot forbear giving, in this connection
the account, by a correspondent OF the Tribune
of parting serenade TO the good General, by tn,
s,h New Hampshire and 18th Connecticut regi
ments, the only ones in the immediate vicinity;
The interview had been concerted, without tn,
knowledge of the General, by the officers of tn,
New Hampshire 9Th and the Connecticut 18th
which, in consequence OF certain late militar
movements were yesterday the only regiments il
the immediate vicinity. AT O'Clock they march
ed lp TO his quarters, preceded by the band q
the 9th Connecticut. A semicircle was formed il
'front.' OF the rude bower Of poles and rushes whic
partially protects the door OF the tent from tn
leyerish sun of lonisnnn Two or three nniinnr