The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-11-10
Meeting or Rebel Soldiers aad tIe
Question OF Aiming SLAVES.


At public meeting held in the in
fantFy camps near Baldwin, East FloPi-
ds. on the 18th Of October 1864.
On motion Of Col Mccormack, Col
P Tufney was called to the chair, and
on motion Of Sergeant. Rouse, Col Nc
Oommick was appointed secretary;
when, on motion of Sergeant Rouse,
committee Of fiEe-consisting of Capt
s. T. Row, of the I'd Florida Cavalry;
Capt J B Spencer, Capt J. II. Bryan,
and Sergeant Rouse, of the infantry,
and Lieutenant Allen, of Abers light
artilleTy-was appointed to draft Feso
lutions for the consideration Of the
meeting; and, on motion of the Seere-
tary, the Chairman was added to the
committee.
The committee after having retired
for short time, returned, and, through
their chairman, submitted the follow
iug preamble and resolutions, which
we're unanimously adopted
Whereas, the policy and propriety of
enlisting negroes Is soldiers in the Con
federate armies is now being discussed
and advocated by some of the neWspa-
pers in the land, we, as soldiers, feel
impressed to an expression of opinion
upon the subject; and, therefore,
i. Res0h1ed, That IN our opinion such
plan is impolitic, unnecessary, and IT.
inous to our cause that while we are
willing to see negroes employed as
teamsters, cooks, laborers in the Quar-
termasterss and Compulsory Depart
ments, and other mental positions, we
are now and always opposed to having
arms placed in their hands.
2 Aiming of negroes would only add
to the number to be fed and clothed by
the Government, without giving any
additional strength 10 the effectiveness
OF the armies @
2 The position of the Confederate
soldier is honorable. responsible and
dignifed, and should not be degraded
by placing the negro by his side.
4 We believe the policy proposed. if
carried out, will result in causing an
hundl ed fold more desertion sthan has
ever been in our armies.
>. We have no confidence whatever
in the pride or courage of the negro,
keeping him in the discharge of his
duties as soldier We are of the opin-
ion that large majority of them would
desert, and we ask the advocates of the
measure if they are willing to intrust
them with the outpost duty, now re
curing a large proportion of our army
on every line.
The measure IS the initiation of
abolitionism-in the beginning of the
overthrow of every principle upon
which we are defending ourselves
against the usurpations of the United
States Government If once introdu-
ced. it viii result in the obliteration of
every difference in principle between
the cOntending Governments. srI re-
duce the war 10 the single issue ol men
without respect to measures.
7. The prospects of the Confederate
cause are Frightening, and we have full
confidence in the steady arm and brave
spirit of the Confederate soldiery; it
can and viii whip the fight, if allowed
to continue on principle
3. That our armies are greatly deple-
ted but this can be vastly remedied
by purging the Commissary and Quar-
termasters Departments of the able
bodied men, returning detailed men &c
their commands, and reyoking thou
sands Of unnecessary exemptions |
There are entirely TOO many able-bodied |
white men in soft places for the argu-
ment Of exhaustion to hold good
O. 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 adjouyned.
7. TURNEl, Chairman.
{. u. MCCORMICK, Secretary.