New-York daily tribune., 1863-09-01
HOW IT WAS POSTPONED AND FINALLY ADOPTED
Considerations which Led to its Adoption.
Tlom an Oeea.ienal Correspondent.

Iiobl IN Oceasoio4 ScIIeAIchueht.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 30, 1863.
Although your paper has recently alluded to
lie aTming Of the slaves in the South do not
Ter 10 have seen anywhere account Of the manner in
which this question hap ened TO be introduced into the
loNes Of tie South any mention of the Importance
II cannot fail to assume in the eyes Of European cab
nets. viii therefore add TO the information you have
already given 10 the public by communicating to you
tie contents of letter written in RichIaond week
ago on that subject This letter came from source
which have tie best reason 20 believe well informed on
tlesc matters and is entitled in NY humble opinion TO
tle ooafience of the people.
Conveiu blacks into soldiers for the defense Of the
national territory is not new Idea with The Confederate
Government. As early as ls6 when the Union forces
under Mcclellan were scattered along the extensive
line 0f the Cbckilom.ny swamps, many Of tie most
wouinout and wealthiest planters frightened ly tie
danger Of the fail Of Richmond which they ihen con
sdcr,d as an inevitable event. proposed 10 arm and 20
lead Their slaves and to bring them 10 the rescue Of
tie threatened capital Put public opinion having Dot
ye. been prepared by repeated and losses in
men TO Of It's strongest prejudiccs
contemplate without shudler Of contempt tie p,ss-
lia.y oi seeing one day free fgli side ly side
VII q slave, The proposition was looked upon as
dangerous and visionary, and WIS So treated ~ The
CitNt i'."ilt. "a lNolIt Nll III WIS lutl'itO al
tie tae that tho members Of the Cabinet would have
willingly accepted the profered aid had been for
tie sake Of their popularity JEFF Davis who snoc the
bernniue Of this war; hsd been pressed by European
C.9ao,s adopt some rc1rmacry measure in reference
oSJcy said tlai occasion. thati would be dosir.
able 20 the tide Of public prejudice rceedc from it,
eoars, and black regiments formed for The defense Of
cities and stTongholds. II was obvious then that The
Cabinet slread. contemplating the feasibility of
aiming The slaves, and that they deferred ;foih
dong so only by The fear Of hurting too violently
elisiiue Irejud.ccs and thus weakening their owl
power.
The series Of victories won by Gen Lee inflated the
ride nd vanity OF tie SouthcTncIs to such extent
aat f O moment they believed themselves TO be in.
lfhsd H. their 10 the hoiuess of the instiu
ton o. slavery well as 20 the superior valor Of their
Ken The victory of Gettysburg and the conquest Of
IL borders Of tie Mississippi by the Union armies
Caasol THIS stGpcndous ed6ce Of pride and error TO
Camhe down and demonstrated 10 them the emptiness
osd folly 4 their inquiious theory They then turned
,l,'r oscs toward ther four Millions of blacks
sIl asked themselves how 1t that the
Government lad not yet availcd i,ch 81 the
re>ourccs offered ly this large recruiting field.
Md why an army OF blacks net raised
forthwith. / may say. however. that those Who
visited 20 t.st 10 vs. the blacks as soldiers did roi
;uk ilat iicr services 81 that capacity entitled
% reward; they would have Led them in slavery
I. ilc uLie. il WIS l understand the sentiment Of
uealmy which modified the views Of the planters IN
aa respect. The army refused 10 fight unles. Tia
Slaves made free before entering The ranks, and Ie
o,.,,5 cggi .5'aH.ases with tl,se enjoyed by iAe
Nn.;c-
Hclo.e il., question Was ripe enough to be brought
/, tle the Rebel Government, Beaurcgard, supported
il ms by tho opinion Of TIE Cove Of south Carolina
led been asking for authority To ;cw negro rcg
ncrt. FOR tie defense OF Charleston and GUY. Shorter
O. Aal aa pressed by the necessity Of providing 70.
le De- nse Of Mobile had addressed tie request
Z Redmond, and recommended in public proclana
uor tie aiming % negroes in lis own State.
Ileee unexpected demands coincided TOO well with
ne secret sentiments OF the Cabinet not Ia BE- used by
/; a. tic ground of policy. Thus. while ical1c
soIds claim might BE- considered Qualifying the ann
liz ofDceocs under the plea Of iniery cess.'y the
reclamation of Gov. shorter of Alabama. and tue
ldorscmont Of the Governor Of South Caroline, more im
pa.tant s unTeseTvedy placed AZ the disposal Of The
,o,crueIt force OF several thousand men, and paved
ne way for powerful military organization al over
;,e extent Of the Confederacy. Jef. DAVIS was too
5.IeWd lot 10 avail hmscfOr lhcoe Fortunate ciTcum
stances.
consulted concerning the popieiy Of urnirg ave. for
To- war and war invited 70 Richmond 10 confer viii
le President on that subject 1his invitation was. It
s.en,s immediately compiled with. and afer Gfeen
.ys Of close conference between the Governors of The
Safes and the members OF The Cabinet il decided
aa the ,alyaon of the country required the aTInng
4 the slaves and that call Of 4OO 90 bncks from
,,cry eight iuhabitonts should take place forthwith.
Ortsde of military and social cOnsidefatiOns tie in.
rtance Of which cannot be fully estimated Of
te noycr which urged the adoption Of this measure is
understand the effect it is likely to have upon Euro
,+sn .owers. While the discussion on the measure
s,s gang on 4ember Of the Cabinet removed all the
o yecons raised ~ stating that the enlistment of The
boci. in the Confederate ranks and the gift of their
:cc5om and portion VI land their reward for their
sers.ccs would cause the great majority OF the
European people adverse 10 Slavery 10 become
friends Of the South. and force their Govern
meuis 10 interest themselves in is behalf
II would the time show that the black who
lad been represented the enemy Of his MASTER
u reality his friend; and the greatest mark Of this
aiondAip was TO be found in the confidence the white
uan las in tie obedience and ideliyq the black, who
Ly ts call was suddenly elevated position Of trust
and confidence unparalleled in the history qf the world
All these considerations could fail, it wss said 10
engage the attention Of the European public aud 10
pl.ce the Southern COnfedeIacy upon higher political
aul moral ground IL was these remarks, an told
wc destroyed s opposition, and led TO the unanimous
adoption Of the measure
Tie proceedings have just related have been kept
secret, and viii not be divuged until Jeh DaySs
proclamation submitting the whole matter to the
people is Issued.