The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-01-02
Slavery as a War Power.

We all remember how confidently II was
predictcd before the war and in its early
stages that Slavery would prove the fatal
weakness of the South. Southern society
was pyramid on its verteS, just ready to
topple over; a sleeping volcano ever threat
ening eruption. Yes, but strong arms may
hold an inverted pyramid upright, and there
is a stability which even volcanic forces eau
not disturb. Fear and irresolution on the
mart of the dominant race OF the South
would have invited Instruction; but that
race has shown that il knows how to rule
and use its four millions Of African slaves
even amid the commissions OF war, and has
held them in its grasp with unialtering
courage and unyielding determination
Emboldened by eighteen months OF safety
and success, it cxultingly proclaims to the
North its superior ability to endure pro-
tracted war because its armies are not drawn
from its laboring classes.
It's the testimony Of the best-iniormed
refugees within our lines that the whole
available working force of slaves throughout
the Rebel States has been employed early
and late, the season through, in raising corn
and rice, and whatever can DO used for the
subsistence Of the rebel army. Those who
could be spared from this task have been
kent nj work on defences and Notifications,
toiling day and night when danger was
thought to be most imminent. The slaves
that is, have both fed the rebel armies and
relieved them from much Of the fatigue
which has exhausted our own soldiers. The
institution which was the inspiration OF the
Rebellion in its origin, supplies it still with
its means of support.
Nevertheless, it is as true as ever that
Slavery is tho vulnerable point of the rebel
lion.,. But vulnerable points arc not danger
Gus IL YOUR enemy will not strike them
When the war broke out the Government
sought to save the Union and Slavery to-
cether; but, convinced finally that Slavery
or the Union must 60 to pieces, the Presi-
dent announced his Emancipation policy
The experiment of fighting the South with
one hand, and with the other upholdrng the
system which is the source of its strength, is
about to DO abandoned. The system has
been source of strength only because 1t has
been protected, or has not been attacked
nor been used us means OF developing In
tcrnal discord and weakness, as it would
have been from the outset If the war had
been conducted on military principles, or
like a war with foreign nation.
The policy Of the Southern leaders con-
corning Slavery has been, as we said above,
sanguino and bold; but it has proceeded
from the beginning on the assumption. hith-
erto justified by the facts, that the Federal
Government was prccluded by the Constitu-
ton and by public opinion at the North
from assailing the institution. We have
now to SEQ whether the Same resources will
avail them when our hands are free to strike
at the point we know to DO weakest. We
have vet much to learn and unlearn before
we 20 to the heart Of this question; but we
begin to discern that the South knows better
than we the real truth, and that our pur-
poses may well take counsel OF their fears,
They know that the negro is not in all res
pccts an article Of merchandise, or machine
for work; that he has senses, affections, pas
sions; is capable Of resentment, alive to hope,
and may even be reused to fight for tho free
dom which has been the dream OF his bond.
age. "It you wrong US, shall we not r.
vcnge? If we arc like you in the rest, we
will resemble you in that"
There are thus four millions of human be-
inrs within the Rebel States whose interests
and hopes arc identified not with there cause,
hut ours We havs hitherto refused 20 sum-
mon these allies to our side. The prOcla.
nation invites them. II its only result
should be to deprive the South OF its laborers.
tho blow would be the heaviest yet struck at
the life of the Rebellion. But il cannot
s,op there. We may do all that the South
has done and more. They have built up their
Rebellion or the labor Of the blacks. They
have won their victories by the help OF his
hoe Ia the corn-feld and his spade in the
trenches. The hoe shall till and the spade
shall dig for us, but tho hands that WELD
them can hold musket also. The Rebels
have used slavery as an instrument Of war,
90 far rs they dared. We are about to make
II our instrument, and to turn II to uses Of
which they never dared to dream. We will
prof. by their instructions, and better it.
We are already arming black regiments in
South Carolina, in Kansas and in louisiana.
7, u, a war in which we take no step back
ward. The Government is irrcvocably
nledred to this policy. IL cannot recedc,
sapno. stand still, can only advance. The
PROCLAMATION is its policy; the organization
and .rming Of the blacks whom il frees will
be the inevitable development and result oil
the Proclamation. And when the South
socsis plantations depOpulassd, and its slaves