Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-11-08
Capt. Comm&ndg 47th N. q. Regt

At public meeting held in the infantry camps
near Baldwin, East Florida on the 18th OF October,
1861
On motion of Col Mccormick, Colonel P. Turn
ey called to the Chair, and, motion of SeTg't
Rouse, Col. Mccormick appointed Secretary;
when, on motion of Sergt Rouse a committee of
fve-conSisting of Capt S F. Row, of the I'd Flor
ida cavalry; Capt. j. Spencer, Capt. j. H. Bry
an, and Sert Rouse of the infantry, and Lieutenant
Allep, of A5ers light artilery-was appointed to
dratFeSolutiOns for the consideration of the meet
ing; and, on motion of the Secretary the Chairman
was added to the committee
The committee, after having retired for short
time, returned, and through their Chairman sub
mitted the following preamble and resolutions which
we've unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, the policy and propriety of enlisting
negroes as soldiers in the Confederate armies is now
being discussed and advocated by some of the news
papers in the land, we soldiers, feel impressed
to an expression OF opinion upon the subject; and,
therefore,
l. Resolred That in our opinion such plan is
impolltic, unnecessary, and ruinous to our cause;
that while We are willing to negroes employed
transfers, cooks, aborerS in the quarternasters
apd cOmmiSSary departments and other mental pO-
sitons, we are now, and always opposed to having
arms placed IN their hands.
2. Aiming of negroes would only add to the num-
Der to he led and clothed by the government with
out giving any additional strength to the effective
of the armies.
g. The position of the Confederate soldier is hon.
orabe, responsible and dignifed, and should not be
degraded by placing the negroe by his side.
t. We believe the policy proposed, if carried out,
lIeSultin causing an hundred fold more assertions
than ever has been in our armies.
8. We have no confidence whatever in the pride
or courage Of negro keeping him in the discharge
of his duties soldier. We are of the opinion
that large majority of them would desert, and we
ask the advocates of the measure they are willing
to trust them with the out post duty requiring
large proportion of our army every line.
6. The measure is the Initiation of aboliGOnism
is the beginning of the overthrow of every principle
upon which We are defending ourselves against the
usurpatous of the United States government If
introduced, it will result in the oblIteration of
every difference in principle between the two con-
tending governments, and reduce the to the sim
gle issue of men without respect to measures.
Z. The prospects Of the Confederate cause are
Frightening; and we have full confidence in the
steady arm and brave spirit of the Confederate SOL
diery-it can and will whip the fight if allowed to
continue on principle.
s. That our armies are greatly depleted but this
can be vastly remedied by purging the Commissary
and Quartermaster departments of the able-bodied
men; returning detailed men to their commands,
aud rcvokns thousands of unnecessary exemptions.
There are entirely too many able bodied white men
in soft places for the argument of exhaustion of
to hold good
g. That copies of these resolutions be furnished
the FlOridian and Journal, Quincy Dispatch; West
Florida News, Family Friend, Lake City Columbian,
Cotton States, Savannah Republican, Savannah
News, Richmond Enquirer, Examiner and Sentinel
and Charlotte Carolina Times with request to pub
lish.
The meeting then adjourned.
P. TURNEY, Chairman.
G. II: Mccormick, Sec'y.