Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-08-08
Slavery in the War.
Letter from Gen. Hunter o the Rev. Step
II. Tyny.

Letter from Gen. Hunter TO the Rev. Stephen
Lying.
The following is copy of Gen. Hunters
reply to the inquiries of the President of
the National Freedman's Association
Headquarters Dept of the South J
Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. c., July II. {
Rep. STEPHEN Ii. TING, President of The
National Freedmam's Relief 4Assiciation,
| Nea0 York City:
| SIR have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your communication dated
June I'd, 1862, expressing to me the APP
prevail of my course in regard to the freed
slaves of this Department by the important
and benevolent association of which You
are President.
Satisfied Of having attempted, in the
absence of instructions, to do my duty in
the matter according to the best lights Of
my judgment and long experience, every
assurance of sympathy from men whose
characters | esteem IN gratifying. and en-
ables me 10 wait with more patience for
those inevitable days which are to give a
policy on the slavery question to our Gov
| eminent.
Ii is my fear that the lesson may not be
understood and acted upon until read in
characters Of blood at the fireside of every
Northern family. To attain wisdom we
must suffer; but that wisdom on the slav-
cry question must finally be obtained, is my
sustaining faith.
Oar people are not dull of comprehen-
sion in regard to matters about which free
! play is given to their common sense. When
fire is spreading through block of houses,
they do not hesitate to batter down an in
/ termediate house to save the remainder OF
the block. And when the plague occu-
pies an infected district, the district is quar-
antined, and every resource Of science and
industry put forth to rid the locality of its
presence. The soldiers of health are by
no means ordered to mount guard over each
smitten house and see that the vested in
terests of pestilence are protected. Break
open doors, if they are not opened" is the
order on these occasions. 6 Let in fresh
air and sunight let purity replace corrup-
ton.
But in presence of one great evil, which
/ has so long brooded over our country. the
intelligence of large portion of our people
would seem paralyzed and helpless. Their
moral nerves lie torped under its benumb-
ing shadow. Its breath has been the pes.
thence of the political atmosphere in which
our statesmen have been nurtured and
never, | fear, until its beak is dripping with
the best blood of the country and its talons
tangled in her vitals, will the free masses Of
the loyal States be fully aroused TO the
necessity of abating the abolition at what
ever cost and by whatever agencies.
This is written, not politically, but &C
cording to my profession in military sense
Looking forward, there looms up posi-
bility (only too possible,) Of peace which
shall be nothing but an armstice, with every
advantage secured to the Rebellion. Moth.
ing can give US permanent peace but sue.
cessful prosecution of the war, with every
weapon and energy at our command, TO its
logical and legitimate conclusion. The 10
menting cause of the Rebellion must be
abated the ak must be laid at the root oil
the upas tree which has rained down such
bitter fruit upon our country, before any.
thing like permenant peace can be justly
hoped.
Already see signs in many Influential
quarters, heretofore opposed to my views in
favor of arming the blacks, of change O
sentiment. Our recent disasters before
Richmond have served to illuminate man,
minds.
. To speak of using the negroes merely fol
throwing up intrenehments is step in IN,
right direction. though far short of VIVA
must be the end. 1t has the advantage
; however, of making the future and fipa
| steps necessary: for men working in face o
the enemy must have arms with which /,
protect themselves if suddenly attacked.
On the whole, there is much reason TO b,
satisfied with the progress made by publ,
: sentiment, considering how deeply-rootec
J were the preludices to be overcome. til,
general failure of the nation to realize a
irst the proportions of the war, and th,
lmpunity still extended to these Northerr
traitors who are the plnnderers of The Coy
eminent by means of fraudulent arm,
and navy contracts, Gu the one hand
and while using every energy of tonou,
and pen TO excite discomfort with our Gov
ernment and sympathy with the more can.
did and courageous traitors of the South
! who are IN arms against US.
|, In conclusion, it may be not inarpropri.
ale to say that in transmitting the approval
OF the National Frcedmans Relief Associa.
non OF my course, you are-doubtless nm.
eenclousiy-indorsing views which vouy
own earnest eloqueuce had no slight share
IN maturing. Though without the pleasure