The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-11-23
Aiming the Slayes.

Tbs policy Of arming the slaves q now omen.
ly advocated in all parts OF the South by rebel
newspapers. We have long anticipated this
desperate resort, on the principle that sue
cess would become matter of greater impor-
lance 70 the leaders OF the rebellion than the
preservation OF slavery. 1t has now become
apparent 70 tne Southern people that slavery
can never recover from the shock it has re-
ceived; and all who hold Confederate bonds
or Conteuerate money have become as much
interested In establishing tile independence of
ol vi Soniederacy, as in preserving the remnant
OF lne institution which caused the war; 1t
Is not improbable, for this reason, that the reb-
el authorities will adopt the suggestion of the
press, and, indeed, there is little doubt that the
suggestion OF arming the slaves was prompted
oy DaVls himself, since it first appeared in his
special organ, the Richmond Enquirer. The
proposition is, that only those VINO are put in
the army shall be made free; but this viii soon
be an impracticable stopping place in the road
to abolition, and has probably been proposed
in order not to startle too violently the preiu-
dices and old-settled habits of the people.
But nothing is more certain than that the en-
listment OF an army of blacks by the rebels
will be followed by general emancipation.
The absurdity of expecting such an army
would light against its friends, in order topper
petuate the enslavement of wives and children,
tllO PdlCIto, OiObucIos anu SlSLeF0 Oh us m6LQ-
bers, is too striking to escape the observation
ofthe oligarchy. fQats Is 5 8
1t will be remembered how rapidly Northern
prejudlces recovered from the shock which
was felt upon the announcement that negroes
were to be employed as soldiers. The first
battle in which the negroes vindicated their
manhood dispelled all objections, removed the
load OF contempt which rested on the race,
and spoiled the arguments which conserva-
tives and Copperheads had SO long and so sue
cessfully employed to prevent their admission
into the army. 1t will not be forgotten, either,
that this policy was received with more favor
In slaveholding Maryland, whe-e it was boldly
advocated as an expedient for relieving the
non slayehodlng whites from the draft, than
in the free States. Equally fallacious was the
prediction that the white soldiers would re-
sent the idea OF fighting by the side ofnegroes.
Black troops have become permanent insti-
tuition OF the General Government, and will
be found lncomparably the best for service in
warm latitudes. $780,.
II the rebels should attempt to stop short
of general emancipation, they would be guilty
OF the greatest folly, and would spoil the
whole scheme. 1t is possible that, on condi-
ton of universal emancipation, the negroes
might be induced to fight in the rebel cause:
but even on that basis they would be fighting
against their friends, for that which is offered
them as boon.
The proposition to call the slaves into the
rebel service is confession that all other
hope of achieving their Independence has
been exhausted; and this last resource can
not be relied upon, unless it is accompanied
by universal emancipation The Shareholders
rebellion must therefore result in dead failure,
ana the Southern States must again submit to
the authority of the Union, unless the total
abolition OF slavery can save them, of which
we have no fears Washington Chronicle.