The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-09-05
rwm m Occasional Correspondent,

WAsmEoToS, Aug 80, 1853.
Although your paper has recently al
luded to the arming Of the slaves in the
South, do not remember TO have seen
any where an account Of the manner in
which this question happened to be in
troduced into the politics of the South,
nor any mention of the importance IL
cannot fail % assume in the eyes Of
European cabinets. | will therefore add
TO the information you have already
given to the public, by communicating TO
you the contents of letter written 10
Richmond n week ago on that subject
This letter came from q source which
have the best reason to believe well in
formed on these mat ers, and is entitled,
In my humble opinion, TO the confidence
of the people.
Converting blacks into soldiers Tor the
defense Of the national territory ia not a
new idea with the Confederate Govern
ment. As early as 1861, when the Union
forces under Mcclellan were scattered
along the extensive line OF the Ohicka
hominy swamps, many of the m,st
prominent and veal hest planters.
frightened by the danger of the fall OF
Richmond, which they thea considered
as an inevitable event, proposed {, arm
and TO lead their slaves, and to bring
them to the rescue # the threatene 1
capital. But public opinion having not
yet been prepered by repeated reverses
and losses in men to overcome one of its
strongest prejudlces, nor 10 contemplate
without a shudder of contempt the posi-
biity OF seeing one day a free man
fight side by side with slave, tho pro-
position was looked upon as dA gerou,
and visionary, and was 30 treated bv ,hC
great majority of the people. Sill i
was rumored at the time that the mem
bers of the C.binet would have willingl,
accepted the profered aid had itnot beer
for the sake OF their popularity JEFF
Davis, who, since the beginning of thii
war, had been pressed by European
Cabinets to adopt some reformatory
measure in reference to Slavery, said, OF
that occasion, that il would be desirabl,
to see the tide of public prejudice re
cede from its course, and black regi,
ments formed for the defense of citie
and strongholds. 1t was obvious, then
that the Cabinet was already contem
plating the feasibility of arming tn
slaves, and that they were deferred frou
doing so only by fear of hurting to
violently existing prejudiccs, and thu
weakening their own power.
The series of victories won by GeI
Lee inflated the pride aud vanity Of tn
Southerners TO such an extent that, for
moment, they believed themselves TO b
, indebted for their success TO the h lines
of the institution of Slavery as well a
TO the superior valor OF their men
The victory OF Gettysburg and the cor
. qu ST Of the borders Of the MississIpl
by the Union armies caused this stuper
dous vdilice of pride and error 10 cruu
bic down, and demonstrated to them Il
emptiness and folly OF their iniquitol
; theory. They then turned their eyes tC
! ward their four millions Of blacks, an
, asked themselves how it was that II
Government had not yet availed itself {
: the resources offered by this large r,
, cruiting field, and why an army
blacks was not raised forthwith. | ma
say, however, that those who wished
first to use the blacks as soldiers did n
; think that their services in that cRpaCll
were entitled to reward they won
= have held them 10 slavery all the whil
a 10 was, | understand, tho sentiment
4 tho army which modified tho views
the planters in that respect The am
q refused 10 fight unless the slav be ma
. free before entering the ranks, and =
!, ceived equal advantage win those ol
a joysd by the whites.
. Before this question was ripe cnou
4 to be brought before the Rebel Cover
~ ment, Beauregard, supported in this
4 the opinion OF the Governor Of South q,
~ oIina, had been asking for authority
arm a W negro regiments for the deter
- OF Cuarl stou, and Gov. Shorter OF a
% bama, pressed by the necessity of p
\, vldlng for the defense OF Mobile, had
,e dressed the same request TO Rlcbmo
n and recommended In a public prooiAu
4 lion, the arming OF negroes IN his o
"a STATE.
!, These unexpected demands coinciC
h too well with the secret seDtlmenrs =
1F the Cabinet not 10 be used by It 80
- ground Of new policy. Thus vi
- Beauregard's claim might be conside
as jusulyiug the armlng Of negroes un
the plea OF military necessity the pr
-, lam atom Of Gov. Shorter, ot Alaba
NC and the endorsement Of the Governor
yer south Caroline. more important still,
IA. reseryedly placed at the disposal Of
is' Government force OF several thuus
~ men, and paved the way for q powe
~ military organization all over the eX
~ OF the Contederacy JEFF Davis was
lou shrewd not 10 avail himself Oi these
~ tunat5 circumstances
~ BY his order, every Governor In
Rebl States was oOnsulto cDnccrl
the proprietY Of arming slaves for
war, ana was invited 10 kicAmon,
the confer with the Presld5nt on tuat
rtv ject This invitation was ~ seems,
mediately complied with, and alter
teen days OF close conference betWeel
the Governors Of the States and the men
init OF the Cabinet, IL was decided thal
,rtv salvation Of tho country required
arming Of the slaves, aDd thas ca
400 900 blacks, one from every eigh
habitants, should take place torthwi