The Placer herald., 1863-07-25

rebellion if the Union men, women and chill
dren in the so.called Confederate States were
left in undisturbed possession of their legal and
constitutional rights? II his policy was adopted.
the rebels might become angry with these " rtonu-
ments of Federal mercy" and in that event the
spared monuments aforesaid might cling more
closely to the Federal flag. This division
among the people might cause still more uIl-
happy state Of affairs in Dixie. our friends might
have TO bear additional ndignities.
AS before remarked, our merciful and cOnsid
crate President was found equal to the crisis. In
long conversation with some inspired apostles
from the sanity city of Chicago-a place where
Onderdonkng and other worldly amusements are
unknown--the President candidly confessed that
he was endeavoring he did not state the means)
to ascertain the will of the Lord upon this diff
cult question; that so soon he learned the
divine pleasure, he verify would do the will of
the Master who sent him. The revelation came
doubtless, "by due course of mail" Judging
from "that which is written" it amounted TO
this: That in portion Of Vrg ginia and Louisi-
ana, in Delaware, in Maryland, in Tennessee. and
Missouri, it was lawful for traitors who had ac-
cepted the amnesty provided by the Confscaton
Law, and all other persons, to hold slaves; but
in the tide-water regions of Virginia, and in that
part.of Louisiana which had not been consccrat-
ed to slavery by the military occupation of Gen
eral Butler, as also in North Carolina, Florida,
Georgia Alabama. Mississippi, Arkansas and
Texas, it should no longer be lawful for the
Union men, women and children to hold our AT
rcan tellow-citizcns to service or labor. And
yet there are those of the 'copperhead pursua-
sson" who profess not to see the wisdom of this
great master stroke of our most noble and eXhait-
ed President. Sirs, did it not Immediately divide
the South and unite the North? Were not our
camps forthwith crowded with countless myriads
OF bold and ardent recruits? Have not our
american brethern of African descent" crowd
ed by thousands into our ranks inspiring our SOL
| Il. .y-;ft
night vocal with songs of enfranchised Dinahs
and mewling and puking Sambos? and have not
our arms been victorious everywhere since the
dawn of the negro millennium of 1868?
know that men like General NJ. Brayman who
commands in your vicinity (at Bolivar, Tennes-
see,) are guilty Of absurdties Of speech which
afford the enemies of our sagacions President
excuses for complaint and criticism. For instance
on the 18th Of last March, that officer, then in
command at Bolivrr, wrote as follows in regard
to the proclamation of freedom with which our
llustrious and far-seeng President greeted the
advent OF the new year: "The loyal man is
equally helpless with the dsloyal; in fact, more
So for the rebel takes his slaves South or hires
them in the army in which he himself serves,
while the slaves of loyal men flee to our camps
beyond reclamation. Under this process the
rebel holds his slaves by carrying them in to Il
State in which they are declared free. while the
law abiding citizen loses his by retaining them in
is now the loyalty and good conduct of these
men avail them nothing"
In speaking of the elevaing effects of this
system upon our armies and the negroes. Gen.
Braymln shocks sensbities by the use of
such language as this: Their expense TO the
Government is enormous. Ii requires so ldicrs to
guard them. They sicken and die in crowded
corrals. They become debased and demoralized.
They debase and demoralize the army"
Why sirs, this license of speech must be sup
pressed. What right have men. who do not sup.
port the present wise and efficient Admnistrat on
to criticse the policy or the consequences of it,.
Within the past few days have heard persons in
this city-in this capital, which bears the sacred
name OF Washington. and which for the present
is the home Of our illustrious Chief Magistrate--
draw seemingly invidous distinctions between
the fate Of Jesse D. Bright, OF Indiana, and that
OF John NJ. Botts of Virginia How my blood
'boiled with pious indignation" when, a few
days ago, heard a certain individual of the
slraightest sect Of Copperheads dscoursing thus:
Jesse d. Bright, Of Indiana was expelled from
the Senate Of the United States last year, charg-
ed with reasonable practices. He then owned Il
farm and negroes in Kentucky, and still owns
them. He accepted the amnesty provided in the
COnliscation Law, which pas sed Congress last
July. He is now preparing to accompany his
family on trip of pleasure to Europe, leaving
his large property in Indiana and his slaves in
Kentucky under the protection of the law. John
federate prison. where he incalcerated for
his devotion to the Union and his undying hostil-
ity to the so-called Southern Confedemcy. Ten
days ago his slaves were enticed within the lines
OF our armies in Virginia. Mr.. Bolts demanded
that they be surrendered returned, aad received
for an answer, direct from Washington, that he
had no right to them; that our wise ahd law
abiding President had set them free"
| confess that when l heard this long and com
planning rigmarole. WIS indignant at the per
sons stupidity. He could not see the wisdom of
this wise policy of our most noble Executive.
lie was almost as incorrgibe as James l.. Petigru,
of South Carolina, who, when he read the grand
proclamation of the most illustrious successor of
Washington, took the oath of allegiance to the
Confederate Government, and offered his private
fortune to the rebels to aid them in making war
upon the armies Of the submest man of modern
times; of Nelson of Tennessee, who. with sons
in rebel captivity, published an appeal to the
people OF that State to take up arms against our
freedom loving President; of Houston, Henry
and others, who Immediately went over to the
rebel cause. Away with all such men. good
Union man loves his country per Sc. He cares
nothing for liberty or property. fame or fortune,
consideration or contracts, office or opinion. The
true test is simply this: Who is the greatest
wsest and best Of mankind? Who is the first
natural military genius Of the world? Who
doeth all things wisely and well? Who should
be elected President long he will accept
"
ent answers, with firm unfaltering voice.
Abraham Lincoln, ESQ., he may be set down as a
good Union man fit to join "Loyal League"
receive "a contract, accept commission or Office.
and to vote. But if, like Crttenden, of Ken
tucky, he is ever talking about the Constitution
and such worn-out themes, he ought not to be
| trusted for moment.
Union man must have an abundance of faith
faith in the saving grace of our exalted Pres
ident--faith that he will yet prove the political
Moses to lead our armies across the Rappahan-
nock-faith that under his leadership, could he
be induced to take the field, the mighty hosts
of rebedom would fee from Marye's Hill, and
drown themselves, like possessed" swine, in the
adjacent stream
How is recruiting now in West Tennessee!
Last summer only "a few thousand enlisted in our
ranks; but very few believe, in Memphis, You
were so amply protected within the lines that
you quite forgot, fear, the sorrows Of those who
had not yet had an opportunity Of greeting the
a tu tn lnun