Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-07-17
Speech Of Hon. John sherman on the En-

Speech Of Hon. John sherman on the Em-
plOYment Of Negroes.
In the Senate on the 10th, the bill for the
employment of colored persons being un-
der consideration, Mr.. Sherman made an
able speech from which we quote the fol-
loving paragraphs;
Mn. SHERMAN. This proposition is one
of the most important that has been pre-
sented 10 Congress, and the times are meet
for its consideration. The question must
be decided whether the negro population Of
the United States shall be employed only TO
aid the rebels Hitherto they have been
the mainstay Of this rebellion. Their Ia
Dor has furnished food; they have built
enfranchmentsi they have relieved the
rebel soldiers Of the burdensoIne duties Of
camp, and have left their masters free to
perform simple military duty. Now, the
question arises whether the people Of the
United States, struggling for national ex-
istenee should not employ the blacks for
the maintenance Of the Government. 1t
is o question whether the rebels alone
shall have the benefits Of slavery, without
feelingits weakness, or whether the United
States shall employ the labor Of race OF
men whose interests, whose whole hearts
are with the loyal people Of the United
States in suppressing this rebellion.
!, perhaps have been as indisposed TO
avail myself Of the labor of slaves, or to
interfere with slavery, as any other Sena-
tor: but the time has arrived when, in my
Judgment, the military authorities should
g be compelled to use oil the physical forceof
this country 70 put down the rebellion.
The policy heretofore pursued BY the ON
GERS Of the United States has been to repel
this class Of people from our lines, to re-
fuse their services They would have made
the best spies, and yet they have been driE-
en- from our lines. They yiWould have re-
ueved our soldiers from many hard task
MANY an irksome duty; but instead Of that
o1ir Soldiers have been required TO guard
the property Of the owners ofthose slaves.
The slaves have been employed to uphold
the rebellion, and our soldiers been put as
guards around the houses Of rebels while
the rebels have thus been engaged in war
against the Government Gases have oc-
CURED where our men have been shot
down while they were guarding the prop
erty Of rebels. This must nolonger be.
How far emancipation should be ex-
tended to these slaves who render faithful
service to the country is a more diihculi
ouestion-but upon a few propositions We
certainly can agree. Who would surren-
der to his rebel master the heroic slave
pilot, who, by his courage and sagacity
added a vessel to our Noyyf Who would
surrender to a rebel master the slave who
amid heat and storm and battle, fed anC
cared for and waited on our officers ant
soldiers2 Who would give up to perpetua
slavery the very many negroes who, dur
ing this war have risked their lives TO con
vey Us important intelligence? Sir, what
ever yagaries and prejudices may cling t
rs, trust no one among us would conseu
to reward the services of loyal slaves b
Derpetunl and hopeless bondage to rebe
masters. Such q policy would be far NOR
infamous than the rebellion itself With
ont further defining my views upon thi
subject at this time, am willing 10 afhrI
r ~, hvself that never will 1 consent
srrrender a slave who has rendered an
serviee, however menial, to our Army,
80. ne custody ofa rebel MASTER nor viii
deprive q loyal master Of his interest
he services Of his slave without full con
Mr. President, in my judgment this Va
viii never successfully end until the Pc.
NE OF the United States are thorough
siive 10 the situation and condition Of =
country. BY oonseription laws the re0e
bave united the whole physical power
he rebel States in their army. They sel
III tJnds oP men, white and black, al
force them into an involuntary SeTyie y
Dbeiber they are loyal or dislOyaL Son
&, .a1tIsrnert here are very much afraid th
gs win employ black men and allow me 2,
~ ~. .io-si service While these gent
70 ~ ~ eo1tinuaIly arraigning the A
sI;.tro.;on men ~ and Congress and AL who d
~ 9lRissl ,,t rO5 down The rebellion, for doil
snv ,v act that would not be justified led in Sa =,
oog s9y peace they never say one s WORD q! a9S fo
tbose Who are seeking to su6vsF. LII dRs ~ -
"a s+1ment s11I by means that we dare n0' Is''