The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-04-24

10 me CM0n MeeHHg Hetd W SNcW AOFN
City, on Saturday EUening, Aprl H.
The POiicv ofthe Naturalization Touching
he Employment Of Blacks in Military
Serpicc ForeshdiOiOed.
TREASURY DEp'T, April 9th, 1863.
GENrLEMEN-Imperative demands on my
lmo compel me to deny myself the gratifi-
cation of attending the meeting to which
you kindly invite me.
You will meot to sond words Of choer 10
our brave Generals and soldiers in the fold;
to rebuke treason in our midst, giving, in
| the garb of peace, aid and comfort to treason
in the panoply of war; to maintain inyiolato
the integrity of the National Territory and
tho supremacy of the National Constitution
and laws; to strengthen tho hands and
norve the heart of tho President for tho
groat work to which God and tho people
have called him. For what worthier pur-
poses can American citizens now assemble ,
1t Ia my fixed faith, gentlemen, that God b
does not mean that this American Republic
shall perish. We arc tried as by fire but
our country will live. Notwithstanding all
the violence and all the Vaccinations Of
traitors and sympathizers on this or the
otho, side of the Atlantic, cur country will
live.
And, whilo 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 consequence OF se-
cession, If that madness should prevail
Nothing, in my judgment is moro certain
than the fultillment of these predictions
Safe in the States, before the rebellion, from
oil Federal interference, slavery has como
out from its shelter, under State Cons,itu-
|. sons and laws, to assail the national life. II
4 will surely die, pierced BY its own fangs and
= stings.
!, What mattcrs now how II dies Whether
9 as consequence or object of tho war-whas
matter Is this time to split hairs of
logic7 To mo it seems that Providence In
"a dicates clearly enough how tho end of sla-
~ very must como II comes in rebel slave
,r States by military order, decree or procia-
d nation, not to bo disregarded or set aside
Is in any event as q nullity. but maintained
IN and executed with perfect good faith to all
ID the onfranchised and it will come in tho
a, loyal States by the unconstrained action Of
ell tho people and their Legislatures, aided
w y, freely and generously by their brethren o.
I,o the free States. may be mistaken in this
ed but, il l am, another and better way will b.
oil revealed.
be Meantime, il seems to me very necessary
es' to say distinctly what many yet shrink from
saying. Tho American blacks must bt
called into this conflict. not ns cattle, moi
now even as contrabands, but as men. In
N the free States, and by tho proclamation
in the rebel States, they are free men. The
in Attorney General, in dp opinion which de-
Il fies refutation, has pronounced these FREQ
=, mon citizens of the Uuited States. Ler, then,
- tho example of Andrew jackson, who did
IN not hesitate to oppose colored regiments to
"a British invasion, be now fearlessly followed.
= Let these blacks, acclimated, familiar with
= the country, capable of great endurance, ro-
"a coiye suitable military organization, and do
N their part. We need their good will, and
- must make them our friends. We must
y have them for guides, for scouts, for all mill
a tarv service in camp or field fo- which they
a, are qualified. Thus employed. from bur-
~ then they will become support; and tho
, hazards, priVations and labors of the whte
"A soldiers will be proportonally diminished.
80 Some will object, of course. There are al
:. ways objoctors to everything practical Let
% experience dispel honest fears. and refute
"a captious or dsloyal caVil.
~ Above oil, gentlemen, let no coubt rost
i, on our resolution to sustain, with all our
!. hearts and with all our means, the soldiers
now in arms Cor the Republic. Let their
~ ranks be filled up, let their supplies be suf-
"a ficent and regular, and let their pay be
!, sure. Let nothing DO wanting to them which
IN can insure activity and efficiency. Let each
=, brave officer and man realize that his coun.
~ try's love attends him, snd that his country's
hopes tang upon him, and, inspired by this
=, thought, let him dare and do all that is pos
- sible to be dared and done.
10 So, gentlemen, with the blessing of God,
D. will We make a glorious future sure. SEQ
Is it rising before mo. How beautiful and
q grand. There is not time to speak of It
10 now; but from all quarters of the land
comes the voice of the sovereign people, re-
:" buking faction, denouneing treason, and
n. prOelaiming the invisible unity of the Re-
a. public and in this heaven-inspited union
a of the people for the sake of the Union, il
NJ the sure promise of that splendid hereafter.
al With great respect, yours truly,
n. s. p. CHASE.
al Hon. George opdyke, George Griswold
ESQ, and others, Committee Loyal Ma.
tional League, New York.
by The CoNscRIPTIoN LAw.-Mr. Arnold, OF