The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-07-24


outhern Slave holder is taken from the
Baltimore American
EMPLOYMENT OF NEGROES FOR
WAR PURPOSES.
Mesas. Ea't0g--I have read with hearty
approval your editorial of yesterday on
Cancellation.
am reiOiced to perceive the press and
people are waking up to the fact that this
is WAR in which our Government is en-
gagged, and not mere effort at concili-
alton of men who spurn such attempts,
scOrn such offers, and use all advances
on the part of Government to persuade
their dupes that il is an indication of
weakness and indecision.
| have been for many years resident
of a Southern city now restored to the
Union was there during Confederate
sway--at the entrance OF Federal troops,
and have had an opportunity to see the
effect of Cancellation, until it was abau-
doned as worse than useless by Federal
authorities. There is but Que way TO deal
with the rebellion, in my opinion, and
tat is TO treat il as such, and those en-
gagged in it as rebels. did not think so
four months ago, but close daily obscr-
walton since has satisfied me tits the only
course.
1t is fortunate all parties are becoming
united upon a policy to deal with the
slaves Of Rebels.
There is no Disgusting the fact that
slavery, instead of weakness, has thus
far proved a pillar Of strength TO the Com
fadcrates Slaves have performed for The
Confederate army all the hard wearing,
exposed labor that falls upon our sol
dicrs.
They have erected the Notifications
and dug the bitches that now defy the
Federal army, thus saving the vigor Of
the Rebel troops for the field. While the
white population Of the South, by the
operation Of the cOnscriptiOn law, is in
the Confederate army, the soil is culti-
waited and the crops gathered by the
slaves quit as well as if their masters
were present In this respect the South
ern States have a prOdigIOus advantage
over the Northern. Agricultural opera
tiona go on the same, though nine tenths
of all the white men are in the army, and
the wants Of the soldiers as well as of
the people at home are thus supplied
The talk of the Rebel amy being starry
ed is simple nonsense. They have no
coffee. but otherwise are not deficient in
provisions, nor are they like to be while
the majority Of their slaves remain Al
| home to conduct plantation operations.
Slaves formerly employed in raising cot
ton, rice and sugar, are now mainly dcvo-
ted TO producing grain and performing
the hard work Of the army. tits only
with their aid the Rebel soldiers can en-
dure the hot, unhealthy climate Of the
| Gulf States. With half the exposure aud
severe labor performed by Union SOL
! diers their men would sink under the in
nuence of the climate. Experience has
taught them to spare all unnecessary gN-
ernon as the only possible safeguard
from the destructive effects Of teryid
sun, and the malarial influence so deadly
during the summer and fall months.
While slavery thus strengthens and
supports the rebellion il wcakcns the
Union cause by the trouble itgiycs COM
manders in the field TO steer clear OF diff
Gculties daily arising in their depart.
ments, and the expense entailed upon the
| Government for supporting in idlencss
the lazy horde of negroes now drawing
their sustcnance from the supplies pro-
vided for the army, while they return no
equivalent whatever.
Why should not the Government en-
ploy them as il would any other proper
ty used 10 carry on the war by the enc
my IL takes their arms, their am
munition, their horses, mules, railways,
steamers, and ships, their factories for
making munitions of war, their provisions,
forage, and whatever else falls into It's
power, but their slaves, who play q part
second only 10 the actual lighting men
In the field, are not allowed 10 come
even voluntarily and labor 90 relieve our
WORKOUT troops.
] would put no arms IN the hands OF
the slave but the pick and shovel They
are a soryile aud cowardly race, who
could not be made successfully 10 Gghl
twentieth theirnumbcr of white men:
but they are Injured 10 hardships, proof
against the effect of climate, and NJ prop
erly employed would save our brave
troops an immense amount Of enerYatug
labor and CXpOsurc--more fatal bon a
Southern climate than the weapons of
their enemies q. II.
Washington July l3, 1867