The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-05-07

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iamation sounding in his ears, he is still
In rebeldom and In the power Of his mas
ter. The misfortune Of this status OF the
Government was, the proclamation mi.
nouncing tie Law OF freedom was next 10
dead letter. A few did dare to leave
i the cotton and the corn fields Of tho reb-
el and brave the uncertain chances of
freedom within our lines; but II Is well
known that. having come, they we're al.
most aiwa3 IH8st shamefully abused, aud
In many cases abandoned 10 a roriorn fate
worse than their former slavery. Trust.
ing TO the generous slmpathies n the
l5erty-ioving Yankees, they were waut 10
vane, and often did como seekine bro.
tsoHan from cruel master. Hopnp
against hope tiey generally very soon
discovered thst lhcy neither had protec
ton nor general ~,mfllIty, and in most
cases were eomitiit4 to return to their
infurlated masters. or.perish Of want. |
speak what know, and declare what I
have seen. Being admitted within our
lines, but few could be employed They
could not go North, they could not 90 10
, farming or TO the mechanic arts in the
South they lnngt hal9 emplnymenl or
suffer, and suffer they did. have s.en
them sick and dyiug-good Lord will
not say what hare seen, bat have seen
enough to compel Nc out Of sympathy for
their welfare to advise them, as have
. often done, to stay with their masters --
Thus the proclamation. 30 humane in its
purpose aud great in its results as We be
nehcently hored il would in same way be,
was too ,nipotent TO escape the jeers oi
its enemies, or TO fulfil the hcpes Of its
friends. IL was inauguratcd as a great
military cxpedlent, and hailed especial,
b. Jubiant abolition party as a great
. lever power, and precisely the thing ne.
cessary to overthrow The rebellion. Bat
IL was discovered that the ..fulcrum" OF
: "plsce TO stand" was wanting. 1t could
= not take the slave from bis master, for
there was no Place for him to 60, and
}, nothing fbr him to do then, lie lad gone,
~ and II did not, therefore, deprive lis rcb.
ei master Of his services, or weaken the
u rebellion. But in Gods own good un!e
il and In the wisdom and libcrality OF 4
IS great Government both pla TO 90 and
&c the means Of living are provided. Those
r. best adapted 10 military service are TO bt
organized iato regiments and armed il
the defence Of our common country. oh
N er7 are to be employed upon tic -oii. up
der suitable supervisors, aad tia. enable,
i, to provide for themselves living LY llseit
ewn labor.
General Blair's division was assemble,
to-day, jnst i'll tire rear of our camp, t,
+, hear an announcement BY Adjatant Gen
!, Thomas Of the recent policy Of the Gov
ernmen, IN relation to the inevitable M
GRo-his treatment aud his service. Hi
message was short but most distinct an
emphatic. He had como, he said, 10 an
ID, thorize and provide for the organizato
MS of negro regiments, TO be employed i
NJ defense Of the country. II is the inter
en- tion of the Govern nent thus to organic
twenty thousand in the valley of the Mis-
sissippi, which, he doubted not, coul
} aud would be easily done He is accord
{ ingly authorized by thePresident to selec
to and con mission soldiers from among off
to GERS aud prisates of this division, enoug
is 10 command two of these regiments, an
ruI proposed that candidates for Office shoul
he send in their application 10 their diyisio
nd commander 10 be eanvassed FOR approva
10 and appointment Of course there
~ nothing in the way of those making ap
n plication who are tender-footed on tn
,ro subject of "negro equality" especially
u they should happen to feel themselve
N. nbnrn to command" and realize i. -iit,l
.ly destitution OF pocket conveniences.
OF But the General said he had come i
the name and By the authority of the Go,
in ernment to enjoin that the negro, comm
of to our lines, should be recetred-mer
IN women and children-that they should b
i'm treated kindly. and he gave distinct motto
nd to the officers that any abuse or unkint
he ness inflicted upon them would be take
on us an offense and violation Of militar
irt order, and constitute Sufficient cause +,
nd instant dismissal from office. 1t is n
) quired that they be fed and clothed
an the expense of the Government, and en-
IN ployed in the army or elsewhere to ii
IRE best advantage. And to the end th'
na- they be employed, and thus provide
nd well as possible for themselves, he h,
ne appointed responsible agents to supervi
has and direct their work ON the plantation
he already abandoned to freedom and inv
he ing their toll. He gave assurance that
ty, was not the intention Of the Goyernme
zfN Il II a