The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-14

II
productive power that upholds the insure
rection Rightly organized Ia the recov-
cred territory, the laborers of The rebel
States will not only aid in holding forth
fed positions, but their labor will, as in
India, free the white soldier from the
most unwholes0me exposure ofthe south.
They will cultivate the corn and forage,
which will feed our cavalry and artillery
horses, and save the contry portion OF
the enormous burden how attending their
purchase and transport from the north.
This cultivation would have been OF
greater advaiiiage to us on the south
eastern coast than even that oil the great |
staple of the sea islands. IS
Probably the people who remained |
upon these islands, within protection of |
our aimies, could under wise control, |
have supplied all the forage needed this
year by the forces ia the department of
the south. The full ration for horse
weighs twenty six pounds, that of SOL
der three pounds. ba
Anlarmy, we'll organized and equip
ped for active operations, with due pro-
portion of cavalry, artillery and baggage
trains, will have not less than one horse
/ VI hibAO W CfCiO AOUI bQ tuNt
the weight of food for the animals is
more than double that of the rations of
the men. fH sn8 e
| How important an aid, how great an
economy, in long contest, therefore,
would there be in raising by this cheap
labor the greater part of the forage alone
for the southern department, thus for a
greater portion ofour wants, transfer
ring the base of supplies now at New
YorlVto Hilton Head or New Orleans.
The Department has found il difficult
TO transfer this labor from one part of
the seat of war to another. Local and
family ties seem to be very strong with
these people, and with all their faith in
the power and good will of our military
commanders, it was found difficult to
get volunteer laborers to leave port royal
for other depots.
1 A population of four millions, true TO
the interests of the Union, " it'll slight
assistance from the army, will under
proper regulation and government, be of
the greatest assistance in holding the
territory once recovered. The principal
staples of the South are the produce exclu-
siyely of their labor. If protected upon
the lands they have heretofore cultivated,
with some organization, and with sup
/ port from small attachments OF loyal
, troops, they would not only produce much
. of what is needed to feed our armies and
their trains, but they would forever cuI
Off from the rebellion the resources Of .
country thus occupied.
The rebel armies move with ease
through portions Of the border States
4 living upon the country in which ouI
commanders find no supplies. The peo-
pie bring forth their boards and oflel
! them TO the rebels for sale or gift. Pro.
tect the laboring population, who are the
mojority in the greater part Of the South
! in the possession Of the land and its pro.
g ducts, and this great advantage will, fol
. whatever portion of the country we oecu
4 by, be transferred 20 us. As soon as tn,
: coast is thoroughly occupied, and th,
people organized, trade will revive. Cot
!. ton, rice, sugar and other products will
q be exchanged by the producer for wha
4 he needs. Their wants will be supplied
! direct from the northern factories, an,
the cultivation of the great staples viii
4 enable them to pay for what they use =
i A perfectly free trade may thus agaii
A grow up between the North and th
; South, and with greater or less rapid
a ity 10 will spread over the whole eoun
i try as our forces succeed in meelin
a and dispensing ia, rebel :. ~
Il The greater part Of the whole couhtr,
q which formerly produced the sea islam
y cotton is now thoroughly restored 30 Oh
4 Union. The laborers are there-the sol
q and climate. II needs only assurance o
& protection to revive the cultivation OF Oh
staple, as well as to produce vast guam
y titles Of corn and forage for our troops
y Since this war must be conducted b.
y marches and battles aud sieges, VIII
y neglect the best means to make then
N successful and their results permanent
10 IL is worthy Of notice that thus far th
d portions Of territory which, once reoCv
y cred, we have most firmly held are pre-
2 cisely those 10 which the greatest pro
q portion Of colOred men are found. b.
e their assistance our armies will be abb
N permanently TO operate in and OccupI
q the country; and in labor for the arniy
ar In raising its and their own supplies, fu
D. occupation can be given them, and wit
D this there will be neither occasion no
~ temptation to them TO emigrate to a north
"a ern and less congenial climate.
NJ Judging by experience, no colored ma
ie will leave his home in the South, II pro
as tected in that home. All possibility q
Is competition from negro labor In the nort
E. is avoided in giving coIored men protec
a ton and employment upon the soil whic
he they have thus far cultivated, and Oh
r right TO which has been vacated by IA
re original propFietors, deeply involved /
T. the crimes Of treason and rebellion. n
N great territory has been permanently re-
"a duced without depriving the leaders (
10 its people Of their lands and property
ir II is these tina, give power aud intluonc
es Few men have the commanding ggniI