Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-02-15
[Trom the Chicago Tribune.l
May slaves FIsht for the UuIonR


We have never seen the affirmative of this
question so clearly stated as in the speech Of
Hon. A. G. Riddle, of Ohio, before the House
of Representatives last week. he shows
eonelusively that Congress, as the law-mak!
ing power of the nation, has ample authority
under the Constitution to enroll every slave
ft to bear arms in the service Of the Gov
ernment and employ them to put down
domestic insurrection, repel foreign invasion,
or aid the National Government In any other
way that may require military assistance,
precisely ss other classes of ''persons" not
aliens may be obliged to render military SER
vice. We think the arguments and conolu-
sions Of Mr.. Riddle are unanswerable, at
least there is no man in Congress who can
successfully rebut them.
It is no answer TO allege that there exists
no military necessity ofenro ling the slaves m
defense Of the Union ;lthat is not the point st
issue. Mr.. Riddle does not assert or deny
that such necessity has yet arisen; but the
point be makes 80 successfully Is, that Con-
gresss can constitutionally authorize the en-
rolling and organizing of eolored persons,
bond or free, as part of the militia of the
nation. He conclusivsly shows that the same
power that can oblige the father to give up
his minor son, or the master his apprentice,
to military service, can also take possession
of the ,iperson held to serVics or labor" by
the elaWs of State" and make soldier Of
him. Nc matter about his complexion or
descent; no matter whether be is of pure At
rican blood OF half Anglo Ameriean,s or
whether his master be his father, he is a
''persOn" in the eye of the Constitution in q
military point of view, and must fight for
his Government if drafted. Every man in
the Union, native or natnralized, owes ale
glance to the Government Of the United
States-the colOred man as well as the
white man-they sreSsall subjects Of the SOW
ereign Government whatever their individual
and domestic relations may be towards each
other.
There are six hundred thousand men in
the military service Of the Government; not
one of them wss drafted or obliged to Join
the ranks; they are all volunteers who ten
dered their services in defence of the Union.
But who will contend that Congress could
not have authorized the President to have
drafted 600, 00O of the militia OF two mill
ions OF every able bodied man in the Uni
/ ted States, if such had been deemsd necessary
t. a. --ssufUu0t y1vrsEzVOf ziIO UUuSJIuuUIUuai
obligation to defend the Government is no
stronger on the white man than on the col
ored man they are all subjects of the Gov
eFnment; all " persons" in the estimation Of
the Constitution, and all bound on call to de-
fend the Government against domestic foes
within and foreign foes without.
The Government may call for volunteers,
eu-orraoffvrn sf na1n4
Under that call the husband may leave his
wife, the child his parent the apprentice his
master, and the slave his claimant, and all
join the ranks and 60 forth to battle. Neither
the wife, parent master or claimant can take
them away from the army without the con-
sent Of the Government A mans obligation
to his Government stands hrst-it is higher
than any other human relation. The claims
of ones country have priority over all other
demands known to the civil law.
Congress can confer on the President the
legal power to call for half million of color
ed volunteers, bond and free, and to Organize
and employ them TO help put down the re-
bellion. But the enrolling of slaves, procur
ed by drafting or enlistment, does not Of it
self make them tree Fighting for the Union
works no forfeiture of the service or labor
they may owe, under State laws, though
their masters be rebels. They are simply
performing 9 constitutional obligation, and
when they are discharged from the service of
the Government, their former obligations are
renewed. Because debtor Joins the army
or is drafted into it, be IS not thereby absolv-
ed from the payment Of the obligation when
he returns home. Neither is the apprentice
or minor discharged from performing the re-
msinder Of his service to his master or parent
in consequence Of serving campaign in the
army, Emancipation rests upon different
grounds. Congress has the power, under the
Constitution, to punish traitors. Laws may
be passed authorizing the seiSure and confs.
cation Of the property of the rebels, in pun
ishment for their crime Of treason. Slaves
Of rebels may, in this way, be confscated and
set free, They can be sbsolved from ever
more serving their traitor masters, as a PEN
atty inflicted for the bideous crime. We do
not see how these propositions can be sue
cessiully traYersedi they are selt-evident on