Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-10-27
Col. Thomas Address.

his experience as an officer in the Department
Of the Gulf lie had gone into the service, as
many Of his friends would remember, holding
the opinion that all that should be required Of
the South should be to return her allegiance to
the Constitution and the Government lie had
stated repeatedly while en- route for his post Of
duty in the South, that such were his views
lie held these views for time after reaching
his position there When slaves came into his
camp it was his practice to advise them to re-
turn to their masters. He informed them that
ho Lad brought only food for his army, and
that he nothing for these slaves, who applied to
him, to do. lie had no need of their services,
and could not spare them army stores. But he
found that in this way he did not reach the peo-
pie. lie began to conclude that it would be
better to change this policy and give the slaves
4 little better chance When he did this, be
was soon surprised by seeing the roads leading
to camp lined on Sabbath morning with fugi-
gives seeking refuge ! his continued until at
one time there were FIVE thousand Of these "ebo-
nv pillars Of the rebellion " IN his camp
When their masters found that their slaves
were missing, of course they come to camp for
them Col. Thomas permitted them to see
heir slaves and gave them a soldier to accom-
Tany them as guard through The camp. On
returning be met them with the inquiry whether
they bad talked with their slaves. They uni
iormly replied that they had, but that the
slaves we're not inclined to return with them
Then they asked permission to take them. The
reply to these applications was always " no,
not from my camp" 1t come to be understood
that these people should be fed and cared for by
tAc Felerals They in their turn were ready
to do all that they could to aid the Federal
soldiers. They had entertained the opinion
that when Abraham Lincoln should be elected
President they would be free They had so
been taught by their masters and were very
ready to TALL into the arrangement. They were
prepared to Join with the Federals, and to fight
With them. When talked with IN reference to
fighting they reasoned that 1t was as well to
fight for themselves as to have others fight for
them They appeared brave and ready, 50 far
A. could be Judged from their conversation.
When colorel regiment was organized by
direction Of Gen. Butler, and placed under COM
mand Of Col. Thomas, they showed by action
what they had affirmed in words. At Port
Hudson, it appeared that this regiment could
% good service When they were falling rap
idly under the fire Of the enemy, the survivors
did not hesitate nor falter.
The gradual change which was effected in
Col. Thomas opinions, be illustrated by an an.
ecdo,e as follows:
Al the farthest point to which we marched
which was eighty miles beyond Alexandria, on
/ the Red River, three planters called az my quar-
ters and they complained in relation TO the
4 PreS ents doing unconstitutional acts. They
thought it was a right Of the people to object to
the Presidents Emancipation Proclamation as
unconstitutional. What said |, do you
really believe that? Certainly, there IS no
doubt but that it is unconstitutional I.
Now, said l. let us see. suppose that you
80 not deny that the President has q constitu-
tional right TO seize the arms and ammunition
of the rebellion everywhere in the South and
confscate them? o certainly not, they re-
pied there was no doubt but he had the cor
stituuonal right to do it, Now, SAID let
Us look at this matter little. Slaves, suppose,
re sio at home, the largest portion of them and
they raise the provisions for those Of the family
who are unable to 90 into the service, and not
only for the family at home, but for those also
wh1are able to 90 into the army, and do 60 into
the army Ii is so, said they. Then, truly,
It must be allowed that Slavery is the strongest
pillar of the rebellion Most assuredly it is,
said they. If in addition to furnishing food
for those at nome the aged and the young, and
provision for those in the army, they build
trenches and serve the guns, do not they make
the guns and ammunition effective against Fed
eral troops This they admitted. Then tell
me said |, if, as you admit, the President has
the right to cOnfscate arms and ammunition how
is It that be mas no right to confscate that which
make these effective We had never Thought
Of 1t in that light before, was their reply"
Col, Thomas urged with great earnestness
and at length, the duty of Vermonters to re-
spond to the call COR troops lie also discussed
the various phases of the war and the position
OF the country, He was enthusiastically and
often applauded, and his speech was an ex-
ceedingly forcble statement OF the right of the
Government, ami the Wrong OF the rebellion
No one who listened could fail to be impressed
with the depth and earnes tness and honesty Of
the speaker convictions.
A, the conclusion Of Mr. Thomas remarks
Hon Paul Dillingham; whoacted as chairman
, Of the meeting, addressed the audience at theil
request. lie alluded to the position which hi
and the gentleman who had preceded him helC
with reference to the democratic party. lii
had seen an article printed IN Montpelier pa
per- headed with his name, In this article hs
was charged with being the worst enemy tt
democracy that could be found in Vermont Sc
far us he could perceive, the ground OF thu
charge, by reading the article in question, wa'
based upon the fact that he was friend to h'
country rather than to traitors. The editor o.
the paper referred to, had formerly voted fol
f Breckenridge, and it would appear that ho still
favored him and wished him success.
Mr, Dillingham; closed his remarks with al
aneedote somewhat as follows
Now a word with my friend Col. Thomas
8 as to the means to be employed to put down thu
E rebellion.
When Whitefold was preaching 10 this coun