The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-01
What Shall be Done with the "COn-
trabands :"

1t is supposed that there are some two
thousand "slaves" or " contrabands," as
Gen. Butler dubs them, at Fortress Mon
roe, and within the Federal lines on the
Potomac. How they came there is not
necessary to inquire; but what shall be
done with them is as much a matter of
humanity as it is a matter of justice and
prOpriety. If they are mere property, as
held by Gen. Butler and others, then the
case is clear; it is only necessary to de-
termine that they are the property Of
"rebels," to sell them and use the pro-
ceeds in crushing out the rebellion. To
refuse to do this-to take them from their
owners, and instead of putting the pro-
ceeds into the public treasury, actually is
sue daily rations to them, is worse than
inconsistency. These "slaves" or this
contraband property should he worth one
million dollars, and in ordinary times
would, if they were engaged in growing
cotton, &C., add at least half-million an
nually to the national production, and
thus to a certain extent, enable Checver,
Tying and others, in this city, to increase
the " comforts" of their families, for the
more cotton, &C., the greater the shipping
business and general prosperity Of this
city, including, of course, these "godly"
creatures. And as things are now, this
contraband" property disposed Of, and
the proceeds put into the public treasury,
it should pay at least one days expenses,
which, according to the report of the Sec
rotary of the Treasury, are only little
over one million per day But on the
contrary, if these slaves" are black
white men, and naturally entitled to the
liberty of the white man, then in God 3
name let us be honest and true American
democrats, and deal justly with them
Of course, it would be folly to do this in
Virginia, Maryland, &C., for if left there,
just as soon the war is over, they will be
restored to slavery" or to that status of
the negro common to the States of the
South. They must, therefore, be brought
to the Northevn States, and as they are
naturally entitled to liberty, Of course,
they are naturally entitled to all the
rights of the white man, and the man
base enough to take them from their Nir.
ginia homes and then refuse to fellowship
with them here, is hypocrte and scoun
drel that deserves the contempt Of all
honorable minds. OF course, our highly
>.G~ t,,;l-<Si ~nI perfect northern society
would not tolerate such injustice as this
but as the other States have not yet
reached the social perfection of Massa-
chuscttS, and therefore there might be
some little "prejudice" still among them
against equality aud fellowship with ne
groes, We propose to the Administration
to send them to that liberty loving State,
where there can be no doubt about the
matter, and where the Everctts and Pres
colts will at once go to work, Of course,
and raise these Oppressed and down
troddcn" sons and daughters of Africa
into a proud and happy fellowship with
themselves. One or the other must be
done-if they are property-the property
Of rebels-make that property available
for putting down the rebellion or if they
are Jta% white men, and naturally enti-
tied to the same liberty, then deal fairly
and maniully by these poor creaturer,an
fraternize and fellowship with them.-N
!. Caucasian.