Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-20
wORC e S Err:
TUESDAY, MAY go. 1869.

the slaves in his department Ihere can oe
no question that slaves may be emanclpaIeu
nv yirtue Of martial law, but the president re-
serves to himself the right to use this power.
Gen. Hunter acted prematurely; but that on
account of which ro-slavery men everywhere
will cherish an eternal hatred for him, con-
sisted in his want of respect for the ''institu-
ton" Whatever measure he might have pro-
posed against that most dangerous of all enc
mics, however clearly within the limits OF his
authority, would have drawn upon him the
maledictions Of its champions. Their hounds
have been from the beginning dashed with
slender thread, and have been ready to eX
haust their rage upon any patriot, soldier or
civilian who ventured to speak disrespectfully
of slavery, or act in manner calculated 10
restrain its power.
Gen. Hunter deserves public gratitude for
raising such question, which must soon be
met with more serious consideration than it
has yet received. 1t affects not only the
rights and destinies Of four millions Of people
born on the soil, but as we believe, the exist
plCt OI lilt IGpuDilC anu lto SOOu udlilG III
history. The president, in his strong desire
to have this question settled without jarring
roughly upon the established social relations
of the states which it most nearly interests,
decides that it shall be left for the present to
the voluntary action of the states themselves.
To his Judgment the country is bound to
defer.
In the meantime there are grave considera-
tions of public policy which should compel an
early decision in regard to this exceptional
relation Of masters and slaves in the disloyal
states. That the country is tired of paltering
with this great and essential issue Of the re-
bellion there is evidence enough. 1t asks
only brave and prudent man to point out the
way Of wisdom and justice, and it will follow
him. 1t will follow him the more earnestly
the more directly the way leads to the des-
truction of the two scourges of our generation
slavery and rebellion.
That would be sound policy. We have
now for some thirteen months fought not only
against an army of disloyal whites, but
against the forced labor of their slaves. They
built the entertainments at Manassas, before
which our troops first tasted defeat. They
erected the Notifications at Yorktown, at
Williamsburg and at Richmond. They fin
ished the batteries and Notifications on the
Mississippi from fort Jackson to Columbus.
Wherever our arms have met with their Sc
verest trial, and have purchased victory with
AZ, 81 ,l,,
they have been opposed, in unequal conflict
to masters and SlareS-the latter invariably
constructing the defences behind which the
former fought with what courage they could
command. More and worse even than this
when their own gunners have deserted their
posts in battle, the slaves have been COM
PEELED to man their guns and to share the
fate with which the necessity of war threat
ems all. Scarcely a battle has occurred in
which it does not appear that the rebels have,
with unspcalable baseness and cruelty, driven
their slaves into the posts of imminent peril,
where they have been compelled to receive
the sharp and sure fire of our gunners in de-
Tending the flag of their country. Is it any
hOuuGt tlldl lbl Nl-itio uplbl Oul NAuNtiitg
while we regard as something too sacred to
be touched the system under which these in
qualities and inhumlnities are possible?
1t would be unquestionable justice. As far
as evidence can go, it is settled that the slave
holding interest OF seven states is unit
against the Union. The government has re-
established its authority on the coast line of
nearly or quite all of these states. In every
instance it has made its conquest by
the light of CONGREGATIONS kindlcd by the
vandals who first raised their guilty hands
against the country, and then conspired to
render its progress Of re-conquest success
sion Of fruitless victories. None have re-
turned to their allegiance; none have abated
anything of the hatred which they cherish for
the old government, and for which sUBJUGA-
TIoN is the last and only remedy. On the
other hand, the blacks, whenever they
have been tolerated, have given evil
dence of enthusiastic loyalty and have
cheerfully performed services of great
utility to the departments in which they have
been received. Ignorant, undeveloped, de-
graded by lifelong seryitude, with small rea-
son for gratitude to the government, they
have everywhere welcomed its authority with
spontaneous affection; while, on the other
hand, their masters, boastful Of their fine civ
ilizatlon, with large reasons Of gratitude, and
controlling obligations Of honor to be faithful
to the flag Of their fathers, were the first to
act the part Of the parricide, and are the last
to abandon their career of crime. In the
presence of such contrast, Gen. Hunter,
purpose deserves a nations admiration; anC
it is impossible not to deplore that he had no
the authority and power to make his purpose
the effectual law of his department But hi
testimony will not be lost. twill be remem
bored to his honor and good fime-worthiei
than any he could win in the ield--that he die
the best he could to strike the letters from {
million Of his countrymen who had earned
the title to be free
WHITE HoUsE.-This place, the name OF
which often appears in the dispatches, is sit
uatedas short distance above Cumberland, Va,