Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-04-29

Letter of Secretary Chase-The Ad-
mInistration Policy regarding Ne
groes.
Tho following admirable letter was
read at the great Fort Sumter anniversa-
ny meeting in New York. on Saturday
evening
TRrAsURT DEPARTMENT, April .. 1868.
GENTLENES-lmperative demands on
my time compel me TO deny myself the
qualification of attending the meeting Ia
which you kindly invite me.
You will meet to send words OF cheer to
our brave Generals and soldiers in the
field to rebuke treason i'll our midst. CIV
ing, i'm the garb of peace, aid and comfort
to treason in the panoply of war TO main
tain inyiolate the integrity of the Nation
al Territory and the supremacy of the Ma
tiOnal Constitution and laws Ia strength
Ell the hands and nerve the heart of the
President for the great work 10 which
God and the people have called him.
For what woFthier purposes can Amerl-
can citizens now assemble?
Ii is my fixed faith, gentlemen. that
God does not mean that this American
Republic shall perish. We are tried as
by fire but our country will live. Not
w~ithstanding all the violence and all the
Vaccinations of traitors and sy~mpathizers
on this OF the other side of the Atlantic,
our country will live.
And, while our country lives. slavery,
the chief source and cause and agent of
our ills, will die. The friends of the
Union in the South, before the rebellion.
predicted the destruction of slavery as Il
consequence of secession, if that madness
should prevail. Nothing, in my judg-
ment, is more certain than the fulfllment
of these predictions. Safe in the States,
before the rebellion. from all Federal in
reference. slavery has come out from its
shelter, under State Constitution and
laws, to assail the national life. 1t will
surely die, pierced by its W fangs and
stings.
What matter now how it dies? Wheth-
er as a consequence or object OF b war
what matter? Is this n time to split hairs
of logic? To me it seems that Providence
indicates clearly enough how the end OF
slavery must come. 1t comes in rebel
slave States by military order, decree or
proclamation, not to be disregarded or set
aside in any event as a nullity, but main
tanned and executed with perfect good
faith TO all the enfranchised and it will
come in the loyal slave States by the un-
constrained action of the people and their
Legislatures, aided freely and generously
by their brethren of the free States. l
may be mistaken in this but if / am,
another and better way will be revealed.
Meantime, it seems to me very neces-
sary to say distinctly what many yet shrink
from saying. The American blacks must
be called into this conflict, not as cattle,
not now even as contrabands, but rs men.
In the free States, and by the proclama-
ton in the rebel States. they are free
men. The Attorney General, in an opin-
ion which defies REPUTATION. has pronounc-
ed these freemen citizens of the United
States. Let, then, the example of An
drew jackson, who did not hesitate TO
oppose colored regiments to British inva-
sion, be now fearlessly followed. Let
these blacks, acclimated, familiar with
the country, capable of great endurance,
receive suitable military organization and
do their part. We need their good will
and must make them our friends by show
ing ourselves their friends. We must
have them for guides, for scouts; for mill
tary service in camp or field for which
they are qualified. Thus employed, from
a burden they will become a support; and
the hazards, privations and labors of the
white soldiers will be pro~portionally di-
minished.
Some will object, of course. There are
always directors to every thing practical.
Let experience dispel honest fears, and
rebut captious or disloyal cayil.
Above all. gentlemen, let no doubt rest
on our resolution to sustain, with our
hearts and with all our means. the sol
diers now in arms for the Republic. Let
their ranks be filed up. let their supplies
be sufficient and regular, and let their
pay be sure. Let nothing be wanting 10
them which can insure activity and eff
cheney. Let each brave officer and man
realize that his country 5 hopes hang up
on him and inspired by this thought,
let him dare and do all that is possible to
be dared and done.
So, gentlemen. with the blessing OF
God, Will we make a glorious future sure
/ see it rising before me. How beautiful
and grand, There is not time to speak
of it now but from ali quarters of the
land comes the voice Of the sovereign
people, rebuking faction. denouncing
treason, and p~roclaiming the indivisible
unity of the Republic and this heaven.
inspired union of the promise of that
splendid hereafter.
With great respect, yours, truly,
S. P. CHASE.
Hon. George Opdyke. George Griswold.
Esq, and others. Committee Loyal Ma.
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