The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-06-19

/ Negro Troops.
We have always been favorable to the
empl syment of the coored people in every
way they can be made most useful. in put
ting down this rebellion--leavins the man.
ner of their employment, with those in au
thori,y. and have never doubted their eff
cheney as soldiers. When men escape from
bondage. unarmed. knowing they will be
pursued by blood-hounds and run the ri>k
of being torn TO pieces if caught. there is a
sufficient amount of pluck about them TO
maze The most valiant of soldiers An ev-
iience OF their valor has recently occurred
under General Banks at Port Hudson. and
at Millikin's Bend. at both of which places.
they fought msufuIly and repulsed their for
mer masters in hand 10 hand fight. The
only opposition to placing arms in the hands
of the ..lreemen of color," and training
them to be soldiers, comes from the copper
heads and butternuts of the North, from the
fact that, bang the close allies of their
Southern brethren" and the natural enc
regiment or so viii be sent umong them to
keep them in order Ii this is not the rea-
son. we cannot account for their opposition
to the use Of colored troops TO suppress the
rebellion. The Baltimore Chppsr says:
"Other nations. the most enligh ened in
the world. have in their armies black troops
Most Of those in the British West Indies.
employed in the forts, are negroes, and the
French are known to have ip their armies
men of the same race, who are among their
most reliable regiments. We think, there
fore, it is the merest afectation to object TO
their employment in our army. as they ever
have been in the navy. There are probably
not less than 5000 colored men now in our
naval marine, and they are found to be full
ly equal to those Of the other race in all the
duties Of the SEE man--and upon what prin
ciple, therefore, can i! be urged that they
are not equally fitted for the duties of the
soldier.
The first attempt, perhaps, TO arm the
blacks in this war. was at Memphis, in May,
1861, when that city was in the possession
of the rebels. The appeal, OF that city of
May 9th. contained the following notice.
under the auspices OF the leading men there,
who comprised the ..Committee of Safety"
viz:
"ATTENrIoN VoLuNTEERs.-Resolve BY
the Committee OF Safety. that G. Deloach,
ID R. Cook, and William B. Greenlaw, be
authorized to organize a volunteer company,
composed of our patriotic free men of color
of the city Of Memphis. for the service of
cur common defence. All who have not
enrolled heir names will call at the office
of w. b. Greenlaw d Co.
IF. TITUs, President.
IF. w. Rooster, Secretary
At New Orleans, Gov. Moore issued an
order to from corps OF negroes for the
rebel service, and as before remarked, Gen.
Butler used the identical language of that
order IN recruiting the very regiment which
has just distinguished itself with such gal
laniry at Port Hudson, 10 whose bravery
Gen. Banks bears testimony.
In 1914 General Jackson rallied .the free
colored inhabitants of Louisiana TO his
support, in defence Of New Orleans. and
General Washington employed soldiers
the same race in the war Of the Revolu-
ton. Said Jackson, in the war of 1912,
addressing the colored population Of Lou
isiana:
Through mistaken policy, you have
heretofore been deprived of participation in
the glorious struggle for NATIONAL RIGHTS,
in which our country is now engaged
This shall mo longer be the case.
As sons Of freedom. you are now called
upon to defend our mos. ines,imable bless.
ing As Americans. American citizens Of
African decent = Lincoln, Your country
looks with confidence to her adapted chilli. s
rem for valorous support. To eveyy noble
hearted. generous free man Of color. yolun-
teerng 10 serve during the present cnntes,
with Great Britain, and no longer. there
will b. paid the sal me bounty IN money and
ne United States.
''ASDREw JACKSON
"Major General Commanding"
With these facts before US, we deem it
TO object to the mploy ment 81
the negro race in ighting the battle of this
We think it will. as general rule
be found, that the most violent opposers Of
heir use. are those who are not rery favor.
able 10 the enlistment of either whites or
blacks, in the putting down Of the rebel
ion.
Elder. Of the Richmond Jeffersonian, who
his loss, from the mobbing oil his
= -,
s6s. and on the 1alh Of April last listed it