The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-04-15
ARM THE NEGROES.

II has been frequently remarked by these
in sympathy with the rebellion and who
seek every OCCASION to disparagc and
weaken the efforts of the Government--that
onr soldiers IN the field will never consent
to the arning of the negroes, and thus be
placed on an equal footing with them.
This reasoning IL so utterly scphistical that
every one with only modcuin of brain
can see its utter absurdity. When the arm
ing of negroes is spoken of, then follows the
impeachment of the bravery Of our soldiers,
by some cowardly sneak, who is continually
whining for "peacc on any terms. This
mode of sophistry can be carried to All liz
definite extent. Tho Same argument will
deprive the soldier of his muskct, the officer
of his sword, the artiloryman Of his field
piece, the cavalrymau of his horse-in short
il would deprive the entire army of every
material and munition of war, and leave
them deprived of every weapon save only
that with which Nature has provided them
Our army would then become an army of
puglists, and John C. llecnan would be the
littcst man to assume the place of its com.
mandcr.in.chicf The manly art Of self
defense would convert tho American peO-
pie into a nation of boxers, and blackencd
eyes, bruised noses and broken jaws, would
he the inevitable coucomtauts to every
engagement upon tho field. What sub.
lime spectacle we would thus present to
the eyes of the world a nation fighting for
its existence 10y feats of boxing, sparring,
gouging, biting, kicking, scratching and
pulling hair And all to maintain cur ma.
tional character ~ q brave people, scorning
to descend TO the use of matcriality in the
great contest for life and liberty. Out upon
logic 30 infinitely absurd.
We are in the midst of war war to the
knife, and the knife to the hilt flour cause
il right and Just, it is our riyhtand our d,ty
to use every and any means to cripple and
destroy our advcrsarcs, with which God
and Nature has provided MS. If negroes
can bc used to advantage in the great strug-
gIo for Human Rights uso them. in any
and every manner in which they can he
rendered available The soldiers are not
opposed to the arming of the blacks no
man is opposed TO it, who has at heart the
welfare of his country and the welfare Of
humanity.
\ iow days since we were shown lot
ter from a soldier of the 9th Michigan Reg
imcnt, in the army under General Banks
who thus writes upon this very subject:
My doctrine Is to free every slave. and raise as
many colored soldiers rs possible by so doing, 4
large force can be obtained to I'LL the deficiencies
in our ranks. On the scabonrd, they can be- used
to advantage, where the tropical heat is intense
that it is almost impossible for Northern men to nj
tend to the duties of the camp and field The ne
proes are acclmatcd, anl urcno 80 liable to sckcr
and die. They learn with ease the duties of troops
soon become we'll drilled soldiers, an uuder daring
commanders, are bold and fearless.
4" Their lives are no moro prccou, than our own
let them be armed and placed in the lront of III,
battle, if need bc-lrt them give some cvidenc,
that they are entitled to their liberty, as | know
they will if the opportunity is afforded them. l Il,
not consider that am disgraccd, or even humblcd
when they are placed upon the bloody stage of war
know that every negro that falls in battle saves
one white man and it he saves the Anglo Saxon
ON the field, he saves him Ns we'll in the camp. My
own private opinion is, that any man who cronkS
aud whnes about the arming of negroes, is n COW
arlly sucak, and rubcl at heart Let him VIII,
will, make the most of it,"