The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-06-27

are thus supporting in indolenoc hundreds upon
hundreds of black men. How many and at
what cost am unable to state, because when
a resolution, asking for this information, was
introduced by the honorable gentleman from
Ohio, (Mr. Cox,) it was Immediately tabled by
the Republican majority upon the other side OF
this House. Those gentlemen dare not let this
information 60 to the country; they shrink from
the exposure which truthful reply to such in
quiry would make. Theresolution of Mr.. Cox
also asked for the number of negroes employed
as teamsters in the army, and at what wages;
but this was equally Objectionable, for it would
have illustrated the fact that negroes by the
hundred are receiving better pay as drivers than
our own white sons and brothers are for peril
ing their lives as soldiers in the defence of the
Union and the Constitution.
Having been thus deprived of obtaining Of
fetal information upon this question, l am o.
bliged to gather my statistics from such sources
as I can. / shall make no statement that l
have not received from respectable and respon-
sible parties, and none which do not conceive
to be rather under than over the true estimate.
The Government is to-day issuing rations to
about two thousand negroes in this District a.
lone, that cost over twenty cents per ration
500 pcrday, in violation of the law, is being
paid for this purpose. The Government is hir-
ing in the District several hundred negroes,
some as teamsters and some for other purposes,
to the exclusion of white laborers, thousands of.
whom, together with their wives and children,
in our large cities, are suffering for the want of
employment. speak advisedy when / say
that the Republican party are already paying,
of tax gathered money, in this District alone,
over three hundred thousand dollars per an.
NUN to buy, clothe, feed and exalt the African
race. for the negro you expend more in sin.
gle year in the District of Columbia than you
appropriate for the Government and protection
of all the people in all the organized Territor.
les of the United States The negro is made
superior, in our legislation, to the pioneer white
men that settle the great West, and amid hard
ships and dangers, lay the foundations Of new
ommonwealths-the hardest and noblest men
of our common country.
So the people are taxed yearly more for the
benefit of the black race in this District alone
than it costs to maintain the burdens of State
,.e government in either Iowa, Michigan, Mime
mont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey,
Delaware or Maryland.
ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS PER DAY Ex-
PENDED ON LAZY NEGROES.
But it is not in this District alone that you
require the people to pay tribute to the idol Of
veur affections. Wherever Won find our army,
with one or two honorable exceptions, you will
find that hundreds Of rations are being issued
daily to unemployed negroes who rendezvous
in and about the camps wherever the army is
they are being employed in various capacities
at good wages, and to the utter exclusion of
of white labor, that now langushes in irksome
idleness throughout our country. state, there
fore, and think truthfully, that the Govern
ment is already paying 100000 per day for
the support and employment OF negroes-pay-
ing it. too, out of money raised through the
toll, deprivations and taxation of our kith and
kin.
| In my district, Mr.. Chairman, my constitu-
ents are selling corn at eight cts. per bushel, in
order to support their families ana maintain the
honor and integrity of our Government Shall
money thus raised and for such purpose be
diverted to the entertainment of the African! :!
Will my people, will the people anywhere, en-
dorse the party and the Administration that
thus seeks the elevation of the negro, even at
the cost of ruin to their own race?
Tie negro placed upon an equality ar7ah our SAT-
ors and Soldiers
One might suppose that your ardor in the
care and protection of the negro would stop
and cool here; but no, you 60 still further Hav-
ing made him your equal as a civilian, you now
seek to place him on the same level with Amer
lean sailors and soldiers. First came the or
der of the Secretary of the Navy, Mr.. Welles,
as follows:
"NAvY DEPARTMENT, April 80, 1862.
"SIR:-The approach of the hot and slckly
season upon the Southern coast OF the Umteo
States renders it imperative that every precau'
ton should be used by The officers commanding
vessels to continue the excellent sanitary condi
ton of their crews. The large number OF per-
sons known as 'contrabards' Hooking to tho
protection of the United States flag affords al
opportunity to provide in every department. o.
q ship, especially for boats crews, acclimateo
labor. The flag officers are required to Obtain
the services of these persons for the country by
enlisting them freely in the navy, with then
consent, rating them as boys, at eight, nine OF
ten dollars per month, and one ration. Lee
monthly return be made of persons employed
on each vessel under your command am, re
spectfully, your obedient servant.
GIDEON WELLES."
Under the plea of the approach of the sick
" season, Mr.. Welles issued this order; undel
the same plea the negro may be called into any
servicein the South, through the sickly season
and the terrible effect it might have upon oul
army and navy, was not thought Of by any
Republican official until recently.
Having made this progressive step in ou
navy (as my colleague from the Bureau Dis
trict mfr. Lovejoy1 would call it,) it remains t.
be emulated in our army-Not long does it a
;. wait an imitator; Gen. d. NJ Hunter, comman
ding in the military department of South Car
olina, Georgia and Florida, issues an order te
enrol Companies, regiments and brigades OF ne