New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-18
THE ARMING OF NEGROES.
Speech Of Adjt.-Gen. Thomas at Lake
Providence, La
the PRESIDENTS POLICY UNALTERADlE.

IN reference TO 1t. Still, as come here with full
authority from the President Of the United States TO
announce the policy which, after mature delibsrs-
ton, has been determined upon by the wisdom Of
the nation, it is my duty TO mako known TO you
clearly and fully the features Of that policy. Itss
source Of extreme qualification to me 10 como before
you this day, knowing as do full we'll, how glori.
ons have been your achievements on the field of bat
tie. No soldier can come before soldiers of tried
vslor, without having the deepest emotions of bis
soul stirred within him. These emotions feel on
the present occasion. and beg you win listen 10
what have to say as soldiers receiving from Q
soldier the commands Of the President Of the United
States.
came from Washington clothed with the fullest
power in this matter. With this power can act
as if the President Of the United States were him
self present. I am directed to refer nothing to
Washington, but TO act promptiy-whst have to
do TO do at once-to strike down the unworthy and
to elevate the deserving.
can only speak briefly and cannot enter into the
details Of the subject at present 1t may be tbat
come Of you better acquainted with tbis country
than am. but all my early military 10 was spent
in the South. / know this whole reg1>N WELL I
am Southern man, and, if you will, be>n with
Southern prejudices; bu. am free to say tina. the
policy am now TO announce 10 you inde,>e with
my whole heart. You know full well-fcc you
have been over this country that the Rebels have
sent into the field all their available fight.
ing men-every man capable Of bearing arms,
and you know they have kept at homo all thei,
slaves for the raising of subsistence for their armes
in the field In this way they can bring to beaN
against Us all the strength Of their 30 called Coned.
crate States, while we at tie North can only send
portion of our fighting force, being compelled to
leave behind another portion 10 cultivate our fields
and supply the wants Of an immense army. The
Administration has determined TO take from the
Rebels this source Of Uupplyto take their negroes
and compel them 10 send back a portion of their
whites 10 cultivate their deserted plantations, and
very poor persons they would be to fill the place Of
the dark-hnsd laborer They must do this or their
armies will staTve. You know perfectly well that
Rebels had an opportunity offered them under the
Proclamation Of the President in September, to lay
down their arms and come back into tho Union.
They failed to do II. Not but that the hearts Of
many men in tho South were with us and against the
Rebellion. TIE leaders Of the rebellion JEFF Davis
and his satellites would not permit it, therefore they
ale still in arms against u.s.
On the fret day of January last the President
issued bis Proclamation declaring that from that day
forward all the slaves In the States then in rebellion
should be free. You know that vast numbers Of
these slaves within your borders inside the lines
of this army. They come into your camps and you
cannot but receive them. The authorities in WASH
ington are very much panied TO hear, and fear
with truth in many cases. that of these poor un-
fortunates have on different occasions been turned
away from US, and their applications for admission
within our lines have been refused by our oficen
and soldiers. This 10 not the way TO freedmen.
The question came up in Washington, "Whst 10
best 10 be done with this unfortunate race T. They
are coming upon US in such numbers that some pro-
vision must be made for Them You cannot send
them North. You al know the prejadices Of the
Northern people against receiving large numbers Of
the colored race. Some States have passed laws for
bidding them to come within their borders. At this
day, in some Ststes persons who have brought
them have been srragned before the Courts to an
swer for the violation of State enactments.
Look along the river and see the multitude Of de.
serted plantations upon its banks. These are the
places for these freedmen, where they can be self
sustaining and selfsupporing. All Of you will
some day be on picket duty, aud charge you all il
any OF this unfortunate come within your lines
that you do not turn them away but receive them
kindly and cordially. They to be encouraged 70
come 20 us. They are to be received with open
arms they are to be fed and clothed; they are 10 b
armed.
This is the policy that has been fully determined
upon. i am here TO say that l am authorized TO
raise as many regiments of blacks as can. am
authorized to give commissions from the highest to
the lowest, aud l desire those persons who are
earnest in this work to take hold of it, desire only
those whose hearts are in it, and TO them alone will
| give commissions. / don't care who they are or
what their present rank may be. do not hesitate
10 say that all proper persons will receive commits
sions.
While am authorized thus in the name Of the
Secretary of War; have the fullest authority TO dis
miss from the army any man, be his rank what il
may whom find maltreatipg the freedmen. This
part of my duty will most assursdly perform II any
oaao comes before me. would rather do that than
give commissions, because such men are unworthy
the name Of soldiers.
hope to bear that in this splendid division, as
know it to be, veterans as Napoleon would call
thsm-for you are yeteraps-I hope TO hear before I
leave that shall he able to raise at least regimens
from among you. don Z want TO stop q. one, nor
at tvo. l must have two at least. Il is possible
that can procure four. I would like 10 raise on
this river twenty regiments at least before 60
back. / shall take all the women and children and
all the men unit for our military organizations, aud
place them on these plantationsi then take these
regiments and put them in the rear. They will