The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-06-12
BEDFORD, Pa. FRIDAY bRN1Nc. JUNE ls. 1863


the amnesty, provided in the so-called confsca-
tion law, which passed Congress last July. He
is now preparing to accompany his family on q
trip Of pleasure to Europe, leaving his large
properties in Indiana. and his slaves in Kentuck-
y under the protection Of the law. John NJ
B?tts is just out Of Libby, or some other Con-
federate prison, where he was incarcerated for
his devotion to the fIni on and his undying hos.
tility to the so.called Southern Confederacy--
Ten days ago his slaves were enticed within the
lines of our armies in Virginia. Mr.. Bolts de.
manded that they be surrendered or returned,
and received for answer direct from Washing
ton, that he had no right TO them; that our
wise and law-abiding President had set them
free.
confess that when heard this long and
complaining rigmarole, was indignant at this
persons stupidity He could not see the wig
dom of this wise policy Of our most noble Ex-
ecutive He was almost as incorrigble as Jas.
L. Petigru, Of South Carolina, who, when lie
read the grand proclamation Of the most illus
trious successor Of Washington, took the oath
Z Of allegian % to the Confederate government,
and offered his private fortune to the rebels to
aid them in making war upon the armies Of the
sublimest man Of modern times; Of Nelson, of
Tennessee, who, with sons in rebel captivity, pub.
lished an appeal to the people of that State to
take up arms against our freedom-loving Pres
ident; Of Houston, Henry and Others, who i'm.
mediately went over to the rebel cause. Away
with all such men. A good Union man loves
his country per S. He cares nothing for liber-
ty or property, fame or fortune, consideration or
contracts, office or opinion. The true test IS
simply this who is the greatest, wisest and best
of mankinds Who is the first natural militia
ry genius of the world, Who doeth all things
wisely and welll Who should be elected Pres
ident as long as he will accept the office! If to
all these inquiries the respondent answers with
a firm, unfaltering voice, Abraham Lincoln,
Esq. he may bs set down as good Union man,
fit t" join "Loyal League" receive contract,
accept commission or office, and to vote. But,
if like Crittenden, of Kentucky, he is ever
talking about the Constitution and such worn
ont themes, he ought not TO be trusted for
moment.
A Union man must have abundance Of faith
faith in the saving grace of our exalted Pres
ident--faith that ho will yet prove the political
Moses to lead our armies across the Rappahan-
nock.-faith that under his leadership, could he
be induced to take the field, the mighty hosts
Of Rebcldom would fee from Marye's Hill and
drown themselves, like possessed" swine in the
adjacent stream.
How is recruiting now in West Tennessee
Last summer only few thousand enlisted in
ourranks; but very few, believe, in Memphis.
You were so amply protected within the lines
that you quite forgot, / fear, the sorrows Of
those who had not yet had an opportunity Of
greeting the flag which brings such certain se-
curity to loyal men, women and children; such
inevitable protection to property, including such
| trihing articles as negroes and cotton bales
Hurry up the volunteers. Give the lie to those
who intimate that rennesseeans will not 60 in.
to the Gulf States to fight for their brethren Of
African descent. True, most Of our citizens
have sons, daughters, sisters, fathers and broth.
ers there; but they ought never to have settled
30 fur South. Besides, when you have secured
| freedom to our African fellow-citizens South Of
us, you may possibly have the honor of taking
part in carrying the same boon to similar class
in Tennessee and Kentu ucky.
| doubt not our noble President will, in due
time, adopt suitable means to ascertain the will
of the Lord in his behalf Indeed, it seems to
have been made known already to some of the
lesser lights. Last week grand convention Of
the loyal women of America assembled in the
city Of New York. Each delegate has con.
ceiv cd ,not baby) an idoa: and, under the in
| spifation Of the great occasion, they have COM
manded our magnificent President to proclaim
freedom throughout all the ends of the earth.
l doubt not, at the proper time, he will 50 pro-
claim; and the twenty thousand troops which
his Excellency Governor Andrew johnson was
recently authorized TO recruit in Tennessee VOu
have no doubt enlisted), will soon be ready for
the good work of giving practical freedom to
our enslaved fellow countrymen, male and fe-
male, of African descent.
When that time comes Memphis will be n
lovely city Its walks and promenadcs will be
illuminated by the smiling faces and brilliant
eyes of the graceful aud accomplished SONS and
daughters of Lincoln and Liberty, of Darkness
and Dahomey. True, our State Constitution
and laws, like those Of Illinois and other loyal
States, will not permit free negroes to come
within our State, nor enfranchised slaves TO re-
main there; but from military necessity, or, as
high official expresses it, ''from the er neces-
atute re, Of the thing" they will, no doubt, bt
permitted to remain. The plan recently adop-
ted in South Carolina of selling there the lands
of rebels might be adopted, and thereby Men,
phis might soon become "a variegated city
Our white and colored brethren and sisters
might thus furnish an example Of that 'free-
dom and fraternity" which SO many unhappy
Northern spinsters sincerely regard as the only
means of compromising the present unfortunate
distinctions of color.
You should by all means pass resolution in
favor Of giving such rebel farms and town lots
as are not needed for our colored brethren to our
Christian friends in the North who desire TO
live among their colored friends, particularly to
that numerous and respectable class who think
that both races will be improved by cross OF
the Anglo-Saxon upon the pure, Guinea. ''When
this cyue! war is over" how our Psalm-singiDg