The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-17
The "Vexed Question" at Port Royal.

'UNFoRTUNATE AND NOW INTERESTING CLASS
OF PEOPLE" Such is the language of Brigadier
Gen. F. w. Sherman, in General Order No. 81
issued from " Head Quarters, Hilton Head,
S. c., February g." in speaking of the persons
of color who " have been abandoned by their
constitutional () guardians - to their freedom,
and who have at last forced this Brigadier, who
has manifested no particular haste to NEEDLE
with the " vexed question: to exclaim
Adequate provisions for the pressing necessi-
ties of this unfortunate and now interesting
class OF people being therefore imperatively de-
manded, even by the dictates of humanity alone,
an additional duty next only in Importance to
that of the preservation of world revered Con-
stitution and Union is now forced upon us by an
unnatural and wicked rebellion. TO relieve the
government of burden that may hereafter be-
come indispensable. and to enable the blacks to
support and govern themselves in the absence
and abandonment of their disloyal guardians,
suitable system Of culture and instruction
must be combined with one providing for their
physical wants.
The General then goes on to state that he
has devised sort of system for the purpose of
temporarily providing for this now interesting
class of people,, until the Government gives
him some further instructions
He apparently takes it as rather unkind in
the rebels, that they so Aouted what he terms
the g conciliatory and beneficial purposes of
the proclamation which he put forth when no
landed in South Carolina, and he does MT evil
IDENTIFY like it that they didn't, when they run
away, take the Ignorant and improvident
blacks" with them in their flight. But mas
nate as to fall into lis hands, he begins TO see
that they are an " interesting class of people :"
and that there is only one thing in his depart
ment of more Importance than the negroe, and
that is the "world revered Constitution and
ynion.' (QUERE. What Constitution and Un-
ION does he refer toy How unfortunate for
Gen. Sherman's peace Of mind it is, that he
doesn't resort to that celebrated specific, which
consists in the simple injunction, Put down re-
bellon and steer clear of all "vexed questions. -"
1t is barely possible, however, if any one
should suggest the let-alone treatment for this
case, the General would inform him that he had
,ried that thoroughly, and had let the negroes
alone until their masters were so regardless of
his peace of conscience as to "abandon their
chattcls, and the dictates of humanity" now
compelled him to give the case some thoughtful
attention and on investigation the vexed
question" appeared interesting" as well as
unfortunate.'
twill be soon apparent, if it isn't now, when
South Carolina, and the Southern portion of the
Gulf States, and even North Carolina, and Vir-
gina, and Tennessee are thoroughly subdued
ind their rebellious dispositions so chastencd as
to permit them to submit once more to the Fed.
cral Government, that the "blacks" in those
territories will rejoice in the "absence and aban.
Comment Of their dsloyal guardians" and will
present themselves 10 an unfortunate and in.
teresting class of people, for the action of the
Federal Government. There are men who arr
such ardent admirers of slavery, and such un
blushing advocates Of the constitutional riq't,
of slave drivers, that they would have all thai
'class OF people" treated as fugitive slaves, tt
be delivered up again to their old masters. They
cover up their devotion to slavery under pre-
tence of u love for the old Union, and the ole
Constitution, and wax warm in their objurga
,ions against every one who hints at active treat.
men Of this unfortunate and now interesting u
question. We trust that even they will yet have