The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-12-11

The general acquiesencc of all the loyal States
IN measures deemed necessary to strengthen
the armies, and prosecute the war at every haZ-
ara 10 maj success, proves the fidelity OF the
people to the Government, and their determiil-
alton to maintain its unity and uphold its an,
thorlty over the whole territory of the United |
States NJ I
The Secretary says that experience has shown
that serious defects exist in the militia Jaw,
which should be promptly remedied. The laws
relative to volunteers need amendment II g /
views OF the Department on these subjects will
De communicated to the appropriate commits
tees of Congress. 1t will be seen that the Quar~
termaster's Department, upon which, under the
law OF the 9TH of July, providing for the EN-
ployment OF colored persons, the charge OF such
persons Is chiefly imposed has not found itself
oufdened with their care, but that it has, on the
contrary, derived valuable aid from their Ia
DOR and in considerable portion of its field Of
operations, has thus far rather suffered from
scaht rather than from too great supply OF such
labor.
In Louisiana, where, at ono time, there were
approximations of embarrassment frem the NUM-
Der OF refugees, the reserve of Il tract Of rich
land along the railroad to Berwick Bay opens
up rich territory i'll which many thousands
can DC probably employed if placed under
proper regulation and control At Port Royal,
such persons have been extensively employed
In the Quartermaster's Department, and in cu
tlVating some thousands of acres of the sea is-
lands of the coast. the products of which are
used i'll the support Of themselves and families.
In the operations ofthe army on the James Riv-
er and upon the Potomac, in the Notifications
of Washington, and as laborers, teamsters,
hostlers, and in tia landing and shipping of
stores, they have been ofgreat service, and the
demand for their labor has exceeded the supply
available.
The successful movement OF the various ex-
petitions by sea, the transportatious of such
| large bodies of troops, and their regular supply
at distant points on the coast afford striking
proofs Of the greatness of the military resources
| Of the nation. These movements have been
on e scale of great magnitude.
| The collection of the vast armies which have
| been rnised and their transportation to the
| field Of operations in so brief period, would
not have been possible but for the extent of
orr system of steam transport by railroad, river
and sea.
| 1t has not been found necessary to exercise
within the loyal States the power conferred up
on the President by law to take actual military
possession of the railroads OF the country.
| The va,ious companies met in convention in
this city, united in proposing uniform tariff
| for Government transportation, which appears
to be just and equitable, aud ey have perform
ed all the sci vices required of them by the de-
partment with promptness, efficiency and
chcertulness, which do honor 10 the patri otisn
OF their managers
Every means the country affords has been
put forth to complete the ornaments Of our
forts and Notifications for the defence of har-
| bors and coasts, as is shown by th3 report of
this bureau those details are, for obvious yeas
sons, not now stated, and the legislation REG uir-
ed by this branch Of the service will, by your
direction, be communicated to the appropriate
committee. The subject of arming the fos tiff
cations, particularly those defending the har~
bors of our principal Atlantic ports, has recey-
ed special attention, and all the means at the
disposal of the department have been applied
to that end, so far as was possible and consists
ent with meeting other imperative requirements
In consequence of the introduction into na-
val warfare of iron clad vessels, comparatively
safe from the effects Of such batteries as hithei
to were sufficient to guard effectualy against
the passage of hostile vessels, it became neces-
sary to provide heavier and more powerful ord
nance. The whole system of such armament
was carefully revised and amended by board
of the most experienced and competent officers,
and measures have been taken to carry their
recommendations into effect,
The Secretary calls special attention to the
necessity of providing additional means for the
storage and preservation of ordinary supplies,
as recommended in the report of the Chief of
Ordnance The attention of the Department
has been earnestly directed to the forts and
Notifications for coast and harbor defences. A
personal inspection Of these important works has
been made by Gen Totten, the distinguished
Chef of Engineers. The grants made by
Congress for Qualifications amounted to five
millions five hundred and thirty-ive dollats
l. H. !
fifty thousand dollars for temporary works -
The Chief of Engineers reports that these sums
admitted of very material progress being made
at most of the important forts now in process
of construction. This has been realized in ID
number Of instances, and in all decided advance
ment had been effected Great difficulties have
been experienced in obtaining supplies of ma
ceras from the quirres. stone yards, &c. ow :
ling to the demands made upon the classes usuN
ally employed in this kind of work by the War
Department. Similar trouble has been en-
countered in procuring transportation for mate
| rails Much has been done in advancing the
state Of readiness OF cur Notifications i'll the
principal commercial harbors for service, in
preparing for additional guns, i'll preparing for
the reception of armament OF very large CALI
bre in the existing batteries, and in placing all
in effective condition of defense. Like meas
ures have been observed with reference to
The Secretary says no aphorism is more uni-
yersally received than that the sole object of n
lust war is to make the enemy feel the evils OF
Injustice, and by his sutferings amend his
WAYS he must therefore be attacked in most
accessible quarters. The power of the rebels
rests upon their peculiar system of labor, hich
keeps laborers on their plantations, to support
owners who are devoting their time and strength
to destroy our armies and our Government
Whenever that system is in hostility to the
Gov eminent, it is, in his opinion, the duty Of
those conducting the war to strike down tho
svstem, and turn against the rebels the pro
ductive power that upholds the Instruction.
Rightly organized i'll the recovered territory,
the laborers of the rebels will not aid in hold
ing fortified positions but their labor will as in
India, free the white soldiers from the most
unwhoissome exposure OF the South. They
will cultivate the corn and forage which will
feed our cavalay and artillery horses, and save
the country a portion OF the enormous burden
now attending their purchase and Transports
ton from the North. The cultivation would
have been of greater advantage to US on the
southeastern coast than even that of the great
staple of the sea-islands. He says, IN conclu-
sion, the greater part of the whole country,
which formerly produced the Sea Island cot-
ton is now thoroughly restored to tho Union
the laborers are there, the soil and climate it
needs only assurance OF protection TO revive the
cultivation of the staple, as well to produce
vast quantities ofcorn and forage for our troops.
since this war must be conducted by matches,
and battles. and seiges, why neglect the best
means to make them successful, and their re-
Isults permanent? 1t is worthy of notice that
thus far the portions of territory which we have
recovered and most firmly hold are precisely
those in which the greatest proportion OF coIor>
ed men are found. BY their assistance armies
will be permanent TO operate in and occupy
the country, and in labor for the amy in rais-
ling its and their own supplies, full occupation
can be given them and with this there will be
neither occasion nor temptation to them to emf
crate to northern and less congeniaI Climate.
Judging by experience, no colored man will
leave his home in the South, Unprotected in