Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-09
4 Soldier ON the Proclamation.
CAMP OF THE 7ra REG'T IND Vots a
VIII OE THE 'IH 4tLO lND VIZ.
PRATr's PoINr. Va. Feb. %. 1863.

EDITOR SENTINEL: At the time OF writing the
communication signed "a Soldier" which was
published in issue of your paper Of the Goth
ult.. had no idea then that it would create such
stir among the officials ia camp. and that its
authorship would be ascribed 10 one who il guilt.
less as has been the case. The communication
has induced of our Captains 70 make contra
dietory statements in private letter TO ole Of
his friends, which have been shown to the editor
OF the Hendricks County Ledger and the editor
OF that paper, in reterating the statement, as
well as in paragraph, calling attention to Capt.
Miller's communication, published in the same
paper, refers 10 both letters falsifying my
statements. | have no disposition to enter into q
newspaper controversy with my superiors in rank
about a matter OF dissatisfaction in the army, a
fact so palpabe to every man who reads the pa
.pers Besides, such conduct would have no pre-
cedent in military affairs. and is unwarranted by
the army regulations. What want to say, for
once and for all, is that in instance have
willfuly misrepresented any one, mistated
facts. For proof OF my statement that officers
had expressed Il desire to get out OF the servceI
will make witness OF the Captain himself, and
although by the rules of evidence no man is bound
to crminate himself | know he will acknowledge
to have expressed such desire, even ut the
recognition of the Southern COnlederacy. The
Captain is one Of our best meu, both ia a moral
and military capacity. and esteeming him very
highly for his noble qualities will not press the
subject further.
have few words OF comment upon Captain
Mller's letter. published in said paper but as the
Captain is one of the ceverest OF men--as indeed
are a greater part of our officers, although Re
publicans-l must ask his forbearance for alluding
to his communication. The Captain, in "A very
labOred aud forced argument, tries 10 convince US
that the emancipation proclamation has nothing
of abolition in its meaning; that by emancipating
the slaves of Rebel masters il weak tens the enemy
l would ask him ii that can be true If all OF IT,
provisions are carried into effectl Does not the
author recommend the negro 10 remain and labor
with his master for reasonable wagesl And is
the laboring for wages for our enemies less repre-
hensible than 10 labor through cOmpulsion! The
negro, when he works in the Rebel trenches by
compulson, is not responsible for his acts, being
only the instrument in the hands of ais unscrupa
lous master. But when he works for wages Re
assumes a efreSponsibility, and without the eI-
cuse of coercion becomes the enemy of this
country, and as they say hired negro will dc
much more work as a slave, he will become that
much more formidable than he otherwise would
be- Is not the proclamation, then, inviting our
enemies 10 employ hired emissaries to make their
numbers greater and their strength more form
idablel Does this look like an intention 70
weaken their force! 1t does not. 1t is strange
to hear such denials of Abolitionism in a man.
Some will even deny that Phillips, Smith.
Greeley are Abolitionists. wilfully robbing them
of reputation Of which they love to boast
But why this sudden change in the Captains
sentiments with respect 70 The emancipation proc
lamatOn! Has the temple of his great Diana be
come endangered. that he, like the Ephesian
silyersmiths, may have to lament the loss of pa
tronagel | trust not | believe not. For an
accordance of his present opinions with those
previously expressed by him, would refer you
to Lsbon Harding of your county, man whose
reputation needs no bolstering But | have pur
sued this subject too far for one whose liberties
are manaced But what have said has been
with candor, and without the desire to offend sny
one
As a soldier, / dislike the arming of negro
regiments The profession of arms has been
considered of ali professions the most honorable
by all nations in past history. requiring the
else oi the finer qualities of man. and the arming
OF negroes % put down the rebellion is virtually
acknowledging the superiority of the African over
the white race If negro soldiers don't dshonor
the profession of arms, he is no discredit to any
profession. and ought TO be admitted to the bar,
to seat in the legislative assembly. the judi
ciary bench. aud any other position 10 which
white man might aspire. The humble soldier Is
proud of his honOrs won on the field, a. the
public servant that serves the country in legisis
tive assemblies
And until the negro ,ake> his position III such
societies We have been members OF. and HE
positions, even 70 the highest civil position then
and only then will accept him into our fellow
sOdeIship. for we claim our profession of all F
others the most honorable. in which proficiency
Is rarely attained.
And, Mr.. Editor. if the large majority OF the
voters OF Indiana are Rebels, the Republican
journals would have US believe. / protest in the
name of patriotism against the enforcement Of
the recent act of Congress, enrolling every able |
bodied man into the militia The sssociating TO
gether OF Rebels and negroes in our Union army |
would entirely destroy its efficiency for any pur
pose. and endanger the safety, not only of every
soldier, bat of the nation itself
hope no one will be accused of influencing
my mind by evil correspondence, for | assure all
that have not received paper, and but one let
ter since the proclamation, not even from my
family, who know could not have forgotten me
OF course. nobody is to blame. aud if there was, o
/ am only poor soldier, and must submit 70 the
deprivation. A SOLDIER.