The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-08-07
The Policy Of the Government toward
Freed Negroes--Lincoln takes no
Backward Step.


In response to an invitation to address
tho conycniion of colorod citizens at Pough.
koepsie. William Whiting, Esq Solicitor of
tho War department. has written = letter,
important from the information IL contains
and tho official assurances which It convoys.
Tho following is tho close of the iettor:
On tho 81 o: May tho War y, p,rtmcnt
s,ued q General Order mo. l43) ostab.
u hiig bureau in the Adjutant General 8
oiiica for tho organization OF colored regi.
m,nts, whoreby tho systom Of employing
! them as a part of the forces of tho United
States has become fixed anl permanent
policy Of tho Government. That policy
sanctioned by Congress. carried into practi.
cal effect BY the Government, has boon ap-
proved by general consent of wlso and pat.
ro,ic men. Tho country cannot afford 10
loso tho niI OF It's best and chief supporters
! in tho South.
Tho employment Of colored troops. it is
truo. was. in tho beginning. experimental
Tho law Of 1862, which first authorized them
to enter tho service, provided no means OF
payment. Tho second law. which permitted
thoir employment, authorized tbon to DO
paid $l0 por month and ono ration por day.
This law was. however. made with reference
to those who. by forco of arms or by pro.
visions Of statutes, bad boen recently freed
from bondage. ..r ...
The important class of colored soldiers
from tho Free States we're probably not in
tho contemplation of Congress when framing
these ac,s. But now. while colored mon
nro admitted to be citizens of several OF the
Northern S,atos aud Of tho Untad States.
and sinco tho Conscription act makes no
distinction between wbte and colored citi
zens, but requires them equally TO DO on
rolled aud drafted in tho forcos Of tho U,i.
tod Ssatos. there spe,ns to 10 no reason why
such citzons should not. when volunteering
10 servo tho country. Le placed upon the
Same footing with other soldiers US regards
their pay and bounty.
Tho attention Of Congress will bo directed
to this subject, aud from the generous man,
no- in which thoy hsyo treated tho soldiers
heretofore, II cannot be doubted TINT thoy
will honor themselves by doing full justice
to those OF oy0ry color, who rally around
the Union flag in timo of public Danger.
But do not forge, that tho colored sol.
diors are not fighting for pay. Thoy will
not lot their enomics reproaoh thom with
boing neap ss we'll as cowardly. They will
not lose this, thoir f's; chance, to vindicate
their right to bo palled aud treated as men.
Pay or no pay. they will rally rounl that
banner of freedom which shall soon float
OF or u country that contains no slaves with.
In its borders. ...ts.. .....
The policy Of tho Government 10 fxcd
and immovabIe. Congress has passed. tho
irresocab'o acts Of emancipation. Tho Su.
preme Court of the United States have
unanimously decided that, since July 18th,
1861, We have been engaged iu a territorial
civil war, aud have f9Il bolligorent rights
against THO Inhabitants OF the rebollious dis.
tricts. Tho President has Issued prooia.
nations uudor bis hand and soal. Abraham
Lincoln takos no backward step A mau
once mado FREQ by law, cannot be aea,n
made u slave. The Government has no pow.
or, if it bad the will, to do It. omnipo, ence
alone can 70 unslave freeman. Fear not
tho Administration will ever take the back
track. The President wishes tho aid o. all
Americans. of whatever descent or color, to
defend tho country. He wishos every cni.
J 20" to share tho perils Of the contest, aud
to reap tho fruits Of victory.
Very respectfully,
, Your obedient servant.
, % WILLIAM WHITING.
EDWARD GILBERr. Esq., New York City
. EEJcst before the recent elent,nn ir