Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-08-04

Tho Policy of the Government toward
Freed Negroes--LincoInra rakes no back
vard step. EL-
In response to an invitation to address
the Convention of colered citizens at
POughkeepsie, William Whiting, Esq, So
licitor of the War Department, has written
letter, important from the information it
contains and the official assurances which
it conveys The following is the close Of
the letter:
On the 22d of May the War Department
issued q General Order mo. 143) estab-
fishing a bureau in the Adjutant Generals s
Office for the organization Of colored Tegi-
ments, whereby the system of employing
them as part Of the forces Of the United
States has become a fixed and permanent
policy of the Government That policy
sanctioned by Congress, carried into prac-
ticRl effect by the Government, has been
approved by general consent Of wise and
patriotic men. The country cannot afford
10 lose the aid of its best and chief sup
porters in the South.
The employment Of colored troops, it is
true, was in the beginning, experimental.
The law Of 1862, which irss authorized
them to enter the service, provided no
means of payment. t.--
The second law, which permitted their
employment, authorized them to be paid
SO per month and one ration per day
This law was, however, made with refer
ence to those who by force Of arms, or by
provisions of statutes, had been recently
freed from bondage. q -r
The important class Of colored soldiers
from the Free States were probably not in
the contemplation ofCoDgress when franz
ing these acts. But now, while colored
men are admitted to be citizens Of several
of the Northern States and Of the United
States, and since the Conscription act
makes no distinction between white and
colored citizens, but requires them equally
to be enrolled and drafted in The forces Of
| the United States, there seems to be no
reason why such citizens should not, when
volunteering to serve the country, be plac-
ed upon ihe same footing with other sol
diers as regards their pay and bounty.
The attention Of Congress will be di-
rected to this subject and from the gener-
Gus manner in which they have treated the
soldiers heretofore, it cannot be- doubted
that they viii honor themselves by doing
/ full justice to those Of every color, who raj
ly around the Union flag in time Of pub.
lie danger.
But do not forget that the soIored sol
diers are not fighting for pay. They will
not let their enemies reprosch them with
being mean as well as coWsrdly. They
will not lose this, their first chance, to vim
diate their right to be called and treated
as men. Pay or no pay they will rally
round that banher Of freedom which shall
soon float over country thst contains nj
slaves within it's h6rders.
The policy Of the Govern nent is fixed
and impovsble. Congress has passed the
irrevocab1e acts of emancipation. The Su-
preme Court Of the United States have
unanimously decided that since July 18Th
1861, we have been engaged in terrific
rial civil war, and have fu1 belligerent
rights against the inhabitants Of the re
bellious districts. The President has is
sued proclamations under his hand and
seal. Abraham Lincoln takes no back
ward step. A man once made free by law
cannot be again made slave. The Gov
ernment has no power, If it had the viii
70 10 H. OunlPOLouce dAOuo OAAES eN
slave freeman. Fear not the Admins
trstiOn viii ever take the back track
The President wishes the aid Of all Amer
leans, Of whatever descent or color, to de
fend the country. He wishes every citi
zen to share the perils Of the contest, an
to reap the fruits Of victory.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM WHITING.
EpRARn GmRERr. ESQ New York Git