Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-11-17
Emancipation of Slaves by the Cesfsdsssse Gov

Emancipation of Slaves by the Confederate Gov
erHmont.
Usurpation is ever prolific. Whsn she Confsderacy,
BY the Confederate Congress- claimed emnipotence
tie States and its cizens Including tbs cfheers OF the
States in lis military resources, by the conscri pon
law any one canvcrsant with human nature must have
known that this might not be The end OF it's usurpe
tons A constitution is lik. dyke keeping out the
sea- CAT it and tie Influx OF tbe waters rhuss be end
l-ss This usQrpeticn Was followed by the direct
tax oct by which the Confederate Government claimed
TO be omn potent and consolidated in lis taxing ii
was by the consc pon law in lis military powers
We are now third stage of lie usurpa ons, to
be accomplished ii not promptly met bJ the StaSs--
tie power to emancipste our slaves.
Tic five Governors of Confederate States who met
at Augusta on tbs l7sh ins'sat, Psssad the following
resolution
Resovsd That The course of the enemy in appropri-
stne our .vcs who hsppen to fall into III r hands
purr7cses of war seems TO justify change Of policy on
our part and whist owners Of slaves under the cir
cumsances should freely yield shen to their country,
we recommend to authorities undcr propsr resula-
tions to appropriate such part CT them to the public
service may be required.
This resciptioa, recommen ling shat Gutkor1-
ties" doubtless Confederate authorities, they oaIy
control the war should approp tae our slaves TO the
public ss,vice csnnot mean the employment of them
as ostlers wagoners and cooks in csmp-for this law
of Congress already authorizes They must some
thing more than this. What they mean the following
extract of tbs Richmond Enquirer seems pretty clear
lY 10 expose
1.-The propositio to extend the Conscrpt Law to the
slaves of the States, first formally advanced by the
Etqurer in the issue of the 9th ut. The near ap-
proach of the time when the Congress meets again. re-
q1res that expression to be given to the sentiments
The country upon this important measure. We there
fore earnestly invite its discussion, and open COL
to opponents, as well friends, OF the PROPOSE
ton.
The CONSUMPTION ofnegroes should be accompanied
with freedom aud the privilege OF remaining in the
States And, when it Is understood that freedom
and home in the South the privileges afforded by
the Confederate authorities while the enemy extend the
beggary hospitality of Yankee philanthropy, not only
will desertion from ranks be uurequent, but the
drafted negroes of the Yankee armies will exchange
services.
We have in our midst a BALI million of fighting
material which is property-sha we use that property
for the common cause Justice and sound policy de-
msnd that We make eemen of those who fight for free.
dom We conscript the master and we impress bis
hoyes, cattle, wheat and every other property except
slaves This very exception is an lmputason that this
war 10 for slavery, aud not freedom.
+ Ii there is any against extending the con-
scription slaves we should like to have them stated
but decidedly of opinion that ths whole country
M agree to the proposition, and that at early day
the next Congress will be called upon to provide for
by law"
Here the proposition is, that the Confederate Con-
gress should conscpt our slaves 90 soldiers and shall
| tmancipate them.
Now, if there was any single proposition that we
thought unquestonable in the Oonederacy ID was
this-hat the States and the States alone, have the
exclusive jurisdiction and mastery over their slaves