Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-07-18

suppression of this rebellion, in any manner
. qSimt see fit, or that the circumstances nigh
call for. There is no restrictionas to the char
acter or the color of the person employed, OF
the nature of the employment, whether civi
or military, in which their services shall bt
used. I conclude, therefore, that have been
authorized to enlist fugitive slaves as soldiers,
could any such be found in this department" "
In order that our readers may see how far
these instructions, given by Secretary Cam
eron, will sustain the action of Gen. Hunter
we herewith re-publish portion. lnhis last
communication to Gen. Sherman before the
departure of the expedition, Mr.. Cameron
says: :" As special directions, adapted to spe-
cial circumstances, cannot be given, much
must be referred to your own discretion as
Commanding General of the expedition. You
will, however, in general, avail yourself of the
services of any persons, whether tugitives
from labor or not who may offer them to the
National Government You will employ such
persons in such services as they may be fitted
for either as ordinary employees, or, Especial
circumstances seem to require it, an any other
capacity, in such organization, in squads,
companies, or otherwise, as you may deem
most beneficial to the service" The qucs-
ton, then, in regard to the authority of Gen.
Hunter in organizing this regiment of blacks
is settled. 1t is plain enough that he acted in
obedience to the instructions given his prede-
cessors All that is necessary now is for the
government to live up to the orders of Secre-
tary Cameron, and, as Gen. Hunter says, he
will have organized by next fall and be able
to present to the government from As, 900 to
$4,000 of these hardy and devoted soldiers
Democratic papers all over the country have
'aised great hue and cry concerning the
'rming of the negroes. Why they should do
50 we are at a loss to imagine. The rebels
Ire now using, and successfully using, several
'egiments of blacks in the field. Not in the
ield alone are these negro organizations found
o be servicable. They make excellent guards
md have been employed by the traitors time
nd again to watch over the civil and military
prisoners of the Confederacy. Why, then,
hould we not embrace the opportunity so
indy offered us by an all-wise Providence |
nd employ these negroes as they most ar
lently desire. The plea ofreducing our brave S
oldiery to level with the negro is all child S {
ak, and although we have read great deal
n both sides of the question we must say |
hat we have yet to see the first logical reason /
rought forward by the opponent of the meas G
re in support of their opposition. We have l
alked with many soldiers about this matter, t
nd, without single exception, they are in t
avor of the employment of the negro to aid t
4 erecting fortifcations, and, if needs be, in i
he field. We hope the government will not a
How itself to be swayed in matter involving S
o much by the sophistry and false-reasoning q
f men who are only loyal from necessity, and c
Tho care more for the preservation Of slavery {
han they do for the preservation of the c
Jnion. S