New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-09
THE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

We heartily rejoice over the release OF our
fifty officers at Charleston, and arc wiihng
enough their fifiy cornpensating Rebels should
60 back in exchange. At the same time, We
arc utterly unable to perceive on what principle.
or in virtue Of what decision Of our Governments
the exchange was effected. .. ....
Not moro curious muddle has been made
during all the war than in this exchange basi.
ness. We ere not going into the history Of it
space being valaable-but advert 10 the we'll
remembered fact that all negotiations with the
Rebels Oh the general subject Of exchange were
finally broken off last Winter, mainly in conse-
quence Of disagreement on two points; % as
10 The number Of duly paroled and exchanged
prisoners On either side, and (2) asto the reccg-
milton Ivy the Rebel authorities Of negro soldiers
as prisoners Of war. 1t was understood that
the Government would have waycd differences
Oh the first point if the Rebels would baye
yielded the second; but they declined. Pending
the diplolnaciesthe exchanges were stopped by an
order Of Tie War Department and were never re-
sumed. That is to say, they were never resumed
formally by revocation or suspension of that
order, much lcss by agreement between the
parties, bnt from that time to this, special,
irregular, unauthorized exchanges Of limited
numbers Of officers and men have taken place.
Such exchanges were rather numerous in tae
West and South-W West, and have even gone on
under the eye, and apparently by express direc-
ton, Of the War Department, at City Point.
Every one Of these exchanges was clear gain
to tho Rebels in Two ways--giying them well
men for sick and starved. asd yielding ;ae,ily
the question as 10 negro troops. These irlegn.
lar exchanges have continued even snce lhe
Fort Pillow massacre. o.. .,
We hold to-day 10000 and more lcebsi
prisoners Of war. OF our men thc Rebels have
perhaps 30, 000--ccrtainly less than 60, 600. II,
therefore, terms Of q general exchange could be
agreed on, the cause Of the Rebellion would
gain 80, 900 neh--equiyalent 10 Reinforcement
vi twice that number TO thei. armies. because
We should send them healthy, weli-.el men,
ckauge for whom wo should receive sckiy and
manly disabled body Of men. Da, thc,o Isl
another eleinsu, In lie question which deserves
consideration. Nearly 10000 negroes are in
The military service Of the United States. more
than $4,000 Of whom wear tho uniform and
hight for tho Dag Of the Republic. The residue
are employed % teamstera, iaborcrs, servants.
SO. Efforts are making toward general enlist.
ments in the insurgent districts 10 reduce quotas
for Inc loyal States, in addition TO which Gen.
Candy has recently issued an order for filing
the ranks Of tho Louisiana regiments from the
plantations. II these efforts receive the en-
couragenent and cooperation Of the War De-
partment, the number Of colored troops may be
largely increased In short time.
Right here interposes this question OK OK.
change, involving and resting upon recognition
or denial by the Rebels Of our right to enlist
blacks, and their treatment Is prisoners. II
has remained now for nearly two years nomi.
nally unsettled-settled practically By the IN.
swerving obstinacy Of the Rebels and hesitation
of the Goyernmeat-settl by tho repeated
murders and endorsements Of colored troops
fighting for the Union. for no one Of which has
there been retaliation Oh our side. We have