The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-11-18
THE NEl:MELION.
Report of the Rebel Secretary OF
War.
Philade lphla. Nov. Ia.

Philadelphia. Nov. Ia
The Iuquirers Washington special
gives an abstract of the report OF the
rebel Secretary of War S-ddon. l send
you the 70 flowing points of interest: 4.
About the arming Of negroes Mr.. Sed-
don SAYS: "With view to the increase
of our armies in the field this policy has
already some public support oil enlis.iug
our negro slaves as soldiers. No COM
junction could be felt in SO using them.
for deeply IS the whites Of the South are
interested in ever iberatiDg themselves
from the associations OF thrallium, the
negroes Of the South are even more vital
" concerned With the whites it lie
question Of nationality, of honor aud
property. With the ne groes, 10 its dead
issues of no distant future, it is ques
ton of their existence as a race. The
friendship of people SO selfish. cruel and
remorseless as our foes. would be more
fatal to them than TO US. aud exposed rs
the blacks are TO al vices, without the
prudence Of civilized men. theis freedom
would be mockery. They must soon,
in the language of leader among them,
and prefessed friend, be fused np," as
sickly exotics, or wirher away amid the
blighting influences of debauchery and
p uperism, crime and disease.
They have nov their houses, and value
their families, respect and depend on
them to defend and protec, them against
the slavery and devastation Of the enc
my. No fear is entertained of their
fidelity. for the feelings of interest of the
great macs Of negroes have been conc,u-
sively manifested to be with their protect
ors and masters.
Neither is il doubted that under the
leadership Of those of whom they have
confidence, thsy would exhibit more
steadfastness and courage than they will
ever obtain as soldiers If any additional
incentive was required more than tho
supposed love of liberty natural to man il,
might be readily afforded By the assn.
rance of emancipation to all who conduct
themselves with fidelity and courage du.
ring the war FOR sLy such action it
would OF course require the concurrence
OF the legislature OF each State from which
the negro soldiers had been drawn, because
to the states exclusively belongs the de-
termination OF the relations which their
colored people, or any part of them shall
ho'd. 1t IL not doubted. however. should
II be deemed expediept 80 to employ and
reward slaves enlisted az soldiers. that
necessary legislation would be accorded
for there is no sacrifice of property or mi
nor Interests which would Rot be made
by either our States OF people 10 assure
hnsi separation from our hated foes and
the achievement Of our liberty and indie
pendence. WhiIe.it is encouraging to
know this resource for further and fuller
Efforts at our command, ny own Judge
ment does not yet see the necessity or ap
prove the policy Of employing slaves IL
the higher duties of soldiers. They are
confessedly inferior. in all respects, to our
white citizens in qualifications, and have
no doubt We have within military ape ~
large proportion of our whole popula-
ton as VII be required for our 10 ,litsrv
Operations. If, then, negroes BE- employ
90 10 war. an inferior is preferred to
superior agent for work in such var a
'''s wsged against foes ben; with mal;p.
nans persistence on our obstruction. AID
lot 81 that man holds priceless, the mos,
.itsi work Is that OF the soldiers. and for
It wisdom and duty require most fitting
workmen. Superior instrumen,.l;,;ss !
should be preferred 1t viii NO, do n
my opinion, to-risk our liberties and ..fs
y on the negro. while the white man M. !,
be called to the sacred duty Of defens..
Nd for the presen, It seems best to leave
tie subordinate kbors Of sooiesy to the
lsgres and p impose iss bighees on the
hyperion class, oi
He urges universal eonscriptsn, - FOL. |