Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-07-30
POLICY RESPECTING NEGRO SOLDIERS.
Letter of The Hon. VIM Whitiug Solicitcr 10 The
War Department, 10 he Fremont League
WAR DEPARTMENT,

Il ",
Var Department, TO The Fremont League.
| WAR DEPARTMENT.
| Washington, July 10, 1863
DEAR SIR Your letter unier date OF the 9Th OF July
has been received, in which you have done the honor
to invite behalf of the Fremont Legion to address
thu grand mass convention of eOored citizens to be held
at the 18th and 10Th inst-nt and hch
you desire to tain inquiries relatlon Ia
troops Of African descent Other render it m
possible for to be present that but avail
myself Of this opportunity Of expressing my respect and
sympathy for those now for the frst time within the
present century have determined to indicate their right
TO be treated patriots by sharing IN the tolls dangers
aud sacrifices OF that great nation Ct which they constitute
/ SO important part
Cou age endurance aud disnte herosm quail
ties Of all brave Riea whatever may DO their lineage No
names yet stand upon the roll Of honor mere brilliant
ustr0us than those of Hannibal and Touissant Over
tura Give to those Americans no claim their father
the continent that birth to the conqueror Of Rome
the arms and the pine of the werained soldier and
they will give back to tho OF the country all the ee
nents OF military power Such the teaching OF history
| such the testimony of experience.
| What has the Afnco-Amercsn to fight for7 He fights
for that land which, about h be freed from the
Of slavery will be t. him :" his country" In rail- ing
the flag 9" the Union be adds strength and support
the noble armies Of the West and Of the East who
the fields of Vcksbuig and Gettysburg have added fresh
lauiels IT, their impeIshab|e fame.
i Not alone for his countrys nor, not for empire, not
conquest not alone for the lutiag Of rebellion the
Africans blade unshe athed He fights for the honor and
manhood Of his race for justice, humanity, and freedom
When love Of country and Of ane when thirst for justice
and sense Of 'orongs get psng'd shall nerve tho
and fire the blood already kndod by the hsmes of free
dom, how is it that the soldier be otherwise
than brave aud terrible battle when sa cry and death
behind him. and life and liberty e only in the path Of
victory Let history answer this question Read your
the bloody bat les OF the revolution where
gro soldiers bore part nobly that Gen. Washington
publicly and at the head of bis army acknowledged their
ga lantry Remember the honor paid by Gen JacksOn
the heroic regiment Of colord who aided in the de-
fence Of New Orleans. Let the battles on the Atlantic
cast and the stormng Of forts the Mississippi
Their bravery recss the memory OF the world ned
battle Of Mara hon. in hch tenth Of those who fought
and impershable honor slaves unclaimed from
The do0r-posts of their masters"
Will the Ored respond to the invitation of the
Government?
They sprineing up, like dragons teeth, from
the soil int, which th. have been crushed Masters Of
the ground they tread upon they are sweeping forward
in steady solid legons Forty thousand strong eady
in tho service hey dest ned to WELD the spord of
just tribuiion to teach their former masters many
bloody battlefield by many rout and swift pursuit,
which of them is " The superior race"
The military organization Of coored troops, removing
all danger Of ins rrectonary vements, will regulate
control and utilize the physical force of the only genu
Union man. IN the Gulf States The create Ut pow
Of treason will become the most efficient defencs of the
Union, and while it will smother rebellion it will destroy
the curse that caused it.
On the 9th of May the War Depar ment issued gene
raj order (No l43 establishing BUREAU in the Adutan
Generals Office for the organic alton Of coored regiments
wher. by the rystem Of employing them part Of the forces
policy Of the Government That policy sanctioned by Con
gress, carried INFO practical effect by the Government has
been approved by the general consent of wise and patriotic
The country cannot afford to lose the aid OF its best
and chief supporters in the South
The employment Of colred troops it true in the
beginning nexp' dent. The law Of 1862, which first au
thorzsd them to enter the service provided no Of
payment.
The second law which permitted their employment au
thor zed them TO be paid ten dollars per month and
ration per day. his law was however made with ref
"a ~ f,rca of nv urny oC
statutes, had been recently freed from bondage
The important class of coored soldiers from the Free
States we're prtb bly, not 10 the conempa Of c. ngress
when framing these acs But nov, while colnred men
are adm to be of several Of the N, rthen States
and OF the United States and since the CONSUMPTION
makes no distinction between white and colored city ns
but requires them equally TO be enrolled and drafted the
forces Of the United States there be reason
why sui citizens should not wh,n volunteering to
serve the country, be placed uptn the footing with
other soldiers as regards t. cir pay ao, bounty.
The attention Of Congress will be directed 10 this sub
Ject and from the generous manner 10 ich they have
treated the soldiers heretofore 1t cannot be ubted that
they will honor them elves by doing full u.tic. to those
OF every color who rally round the Union flag in time Of
public danger.
Bat do nt forget that the colored soldiers not
fighting for pay They will not let their enemies reproach
them with being mean, well cuwarJy. They will
not lose this their fret chance to vndcste their right to
be called and treated men, Pay or pay they will
rally round that banner of freedom which shall soon noat
over country that contains slave within ts borders
The policy of the Government ia fired and immovabe.
congress mas passed Inc revOcfDe acts OF emancipation
The Supreme Court Of the United States have been
gaged in territorial civil aud have full begerebt
rights against the inhabitants If the rebeous districts
The Prrsdent has ssued procamatin ms under his hand
and seal Abraham Lincoln takes no backward step.
man made fee by law cannot be again made slave
The Government has power il had the will to do it,
Omnpotence alone re-ensl-ve freeman. Fear not
that The Administration will ever take the back track
The President wishes the aid Of all Americans OF whatever
descent cr t. defend the country lie wishes every
citizen to share the pers the contest and to resp the
fruits Of vIctiry
Very respectfully, your obedent servant.
WILLIAM WHITING.
ON, GIIu Inrr l. N...I( a.