Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-11-21

the strong arm welding the sword of JUS
tiee, in manly recognition of the rights Of
all 90 operators, whether white or black,
that inspires respect and confidence, and
leads on to benefcially accomplished vie
tory.
The Post remarks:
It Is now Just six months since General
Hunter, commanding the United States
forces in South Carolina, was relieved and
General Gilmore appointed in his place.
Our readers will remember that the pub
lie was instructed to entertain great eK-
peetstions from General Gillmores plans
and his energy in executing them. He
Wss 10 put us in possession OF Charleston
in S very few dsRtSi and so certain were
bis plans Of Fusss that an excellent and
deserving officer was displaced in ord9r to
give brilliant military genius an UpPor-
tunity of distinguishing himself. Month
after month has rolled away, and Charles
ton is in possession Of the enemy. We
have driven the rebels from Morris Island
and occupied the f5qs there, but there
seems little chance Of our proceeding any
further. we might, 1t is true, desITUy u
BhEk Ul OudIAGNNQH win OuE buCAA6f buN LIZ
cspture Of the city is apparently as far of
- ever. The rebels feel themselves secure
in its possession, and military men, who
have carefully considered its means Of de-
feAse, see no prospect that it will be taken
By any Of the methods which are now em-
ployed. The public are beginning to be as
tired Of looking to wards Charleston in ex-
psctstion of WhGt is called stirring HetOs, Ss
they were Of looking with the same hope
70 the Army Of the Potomac while under
the eommsnd Of General Mcclellan.
But II General Gilmore has failed to
capture Charleston after six months Of
military operations, heralded by mpgnih-
cent promises Of success, he has distin-
guisbed himself in another manner. He
has e0ntIiVed 10 make himselfeXceediHgly
unpopular with the officers Of the eoloEsd
troops, who share the dangers and more
than share the burdens Of the war. They
were appointed With the understanding, on
the part of the people certainly, and, we
believe, on the part Of the Government,
that they should nSke good trained SOL
dieTs Of the eciored men, able to meet the
rebels in the field or an equal footing Ct
diEcipliDs and capacity. On arriving 10
take Charge Of their men, these officers are
told Chat ihs black soldiers are only to do
fatigue duty, and that sll military duty is
70 be performed by the white soldiers.
Ths eolored men are therefore kept con-
stsntIF ct work In the trenches, and no op.
RsTtunity Is allowed them for perfecting
themselves in military exercises and ma
n@uvres. They srs eupgoyed in digging
their exercises are with the spade and
shovel; they are treated as menials rather
than as soldiers.
T7is is not the purpose for which we en-
list colored mea. We do it to enlarge our
arHs, 70 increase the number Of our SOL
,aisrs, 20 present more form idable front
10 the enemy, ID spare somewhat 'cf the
bloodshed to which the white race sre ex-
posed, and to elevate the character Of the
black race By admitting them TO Important
duties and responsibilities. This is the
declared policy Of the Government, and if
General Gilmore sets himself in oppOsi-
fion to il he should be admonished Of his
fault by methods WHICH the Government
has not been SLOW TO uss, in other instances,
when II has found commanding officers d.
parting from the line Of duty.
At this rGLs the enlistment Of colored
nsn will add nothing to aur military
strength. Al this rate ths white officers
whom We send to command then should
nsTer be called captains, colonels, Sc, but
oVsEseers, tsskmssteTs, drivers. Such, in
fact, the practices We are eensuTing would
make them; and we wonder not that their
pride Is wounded by abuses Of this sort.
The men whom they command are not
troops, but lsborers.
Il may happen that we shall be hard
pressed By the enemy in that quarter, and
that the help Of the oolored troops will be-
come necessary. 1t will then be found that
they are undFilled and undiseiplined-tha
We haEs 9 Nominal force on foot, to which
we pay regular wages, and over which We
appoint experienced officers, and which,
although we hear that those Of whom 1t is
composed behave admirably, and form an
excellent material for soldiery, is not to be
appended on in an neEergency, for the sim
pie reason that no pains have been taken
70 make soldiers Of them has been allowed.
The Government should look to this.