The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-04-25

ONE Dollar :. a SEAR
rux wxrwaW oarv c,~v
spsesA ~ Ms. Grinass On the Surre =
Asr 81 Slaves by tie Army.
On motion Of Mr.. Wilson, oil Massa-
chusstts, the Senate proceeded to eonsid-
er the following resolution, submitted by
him on the 3D. Of April
Resoleed, That the Committee ON Mil
itary Affairs and the militia, be directed
to consider and report whether any fur
ther legislation is necessary to prevent
persons employed in the military service
of the United States from aiding in the
return or control Of persons claimed
as fugitive slayes, and 10 punish them
therefor.
Ar. Grimes. ! propose to amend the
resolution BY adding to il
And to report what reorganization Of
the Army and its personnel, or otherwise,
may be necessary TO promote the public
welfare, and bring the rebellion to . speedy
and triumphant end
Il u, OF course, TO be expected that
there will be great differences of opinion
among the friends 70 the GovArnaent as
to the manner in which the present war
should be conducted. Such difereaces
are the natural results Of our various do.
mestie institstions, systems of education,
modes of thought. degrees of civilization,
snd Of individual opinions of the neces-
sities Of our situation. But there are
certain great fundamental principles up
on which, one would think, all ought 10
agree. We certainly ought to do moth
ing and sufer nothing to be done calcu-
lated in any degree TO rspel Or paralyze
the efforts Of our friends at home, who are
doing everything in their power to en-
courage and sustain the soldiers in the
field. While intoxicating the aeceasity Of
the strictest obedience to military duty,
il should be constantly borne in mind that
ours are citizen soldiery, soon to return
10 the bosom Of civil society, and that the
performance ofno unsoidiery daty should
be required Of them that wonld b calcu-
lated TO impair their self-respect, dimin-
ish their regard for their ofkcers, iscite
them TO rebel against discipline. or taint
their regulations 1t home. Ii sDust not
be expected that the natural isssincts of
humanity will be stihed by military or
ders, and surely our soidien should not
be required 70 assist in the perpetration OF
acts against which every enlightened SEN
timent Of their hearts revolt. One would
think thst oil men would agree in pro-
nodncing thst cruel and despotic order
which repeals the Divine prscept: .'inas-
much ~ ye did it not 10 one Of the least
OF these ye did it not TO mc,' and arbi-
trarily forbids the soldier to bestow crust
Of bread and = cup II water upon a
wretched, famishing fugitive escaping
from our own Al we'll ~ from his enemy.
Yet, Mr.. President, grieve to say that
there are those in rank in the service OF
the United States who have sought to-
break down the spirit of manhood. which
il the browning glory Of true soldiers, by
them 10 do acts outside of their
profession which they abhor, and to
smother oil impulses to those deeds Of
charity which they have been taught to
believe are the characteristics of Chris
tan gentlemen.
u It was known to the country ut an ear
ly day after the commencement Of the
war, that some military commanders were
abusing the great power intrustcd to them
and were employing the army 70 assist in
the capture and rendition Of fugitive
slaves, not in aid Of any jndicial process,
but in obedience to their own unbridled
will. The cffeot Of this unbridled -
supption Of unauthorized power was TO
incits the soldieYy to disobedience, and to
arouse the people TO tho necessity Of prop
or legislative restraints. 1t was in COM
pliancs with the popular sentiment on this
sabjsst thas Congress enacted the addii-
tional article Of var, which was approved
on the 18th Of March last, and which de-
clared that
"AH officers or persons ia the militzry
or Naval service OF the United States are
prohibited from employing any Of the
forces under their respective commands
for the purpose Of returning fugitives
from service or labor, who may have es.
capped from any persons TO whom rich ser.
vice or labor Il claimed to be due, and
any officer who shall be found guilty
BY court-martial Of violating this Article
shall be dismissed from the service
II was Intended hy this article u p..-
vent the military service from becoming
Odious 70 the people who support the war,
and degrading to those who have volun-
secred TO fght under our banners. It'll
simply declares that the army Of the Uni
ted States shall not be perverted from the
legitimate nse fer which it zvn nised,
while i iDterferss in no degree with the
claim Of any man to 4 person allsged 70
be = .lIave il leaves questions of that
character 70 be settled, and righe Of tha&
dAanrinfiOn 10 h Anfnrs>ad Nv r4ho, th.s