Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-11-18

as our foes. would be TO the unhappy negro more
fatal than to Us their enmity 10 contact with
them. under their pretended freedom before the
law. which. 10 operation an inferior race Is
bet license 20 greed sud oppression. Exposed
10 all the vices, without the providence Of the
civilized man, they must soon. in the language
OF leader among their professed friends. "be
trampled out sickly exotic" or vither
away amid the blighted influence of debaucnery.
pauperiSm, crime and disease
They have besides the houses they value. the
families they love and jbe masters they respect
and depend on. 10 defend and protect against the
ssvsgery and devastation of the enemy No
fear is entertained Of their fidelity. for the feel
ings the interests OF the great mass of the ne
grOes have been conclusively manifested 10 De
with their protectors and masters. Neither IS it
doubted that under the leadership Of those whites
TO whom they have been habituaIed aud 10 whom
they have confidence, they would exhibit more
steadfastness and courage than they will ever at
tain as soldiers OF the enemy. IL any added in
centve were required from the supposed love OF
freedom natural 10 man, il might be readily
afforded by the assurance of emancipation TO all
who conducted themselves with fidelity and cour-
age during the war. For any such action il
would of course require the concurring Legislation
OF each State. from the slave population of which
the negro soldiers had been drawn; because 10 the
States belong exclusively the determination Of
the relations which their colored population, or
any part OF them. shall hold.
Ii is not doubted, however, should il be deem
Ell expedient so to employ aud reward slaves en-
listed soldiers. that the necessary legislation
would be accorded, for there is 10 sacrifice or
property or minor interests which would not be
made by either our States or people 10 assure
| final separation from our hateful foes and the
achievement OF our liberty and Independence
While il u encouraging 20 know that this
source for further and future efforts is at our com
mand, my own judgment does not yet either per
ceiye the necessity or approve the policy of en-
! plOying slaves 10 the higher duties of soldiers;
they are coniessedly inferior in all respects to our
white citizens to the qualification of the soldier.
aud have thought have within the military
age as large proportion OF our whole population
as will be required. or can sdvantageously be
employed in active military operations II, then,
the negro be employed 10 the war; the inferior il.
preferable to the superior agent for the work. In
such war as this, wsged against foes bent with
all that man holds priceless-the mos, vital work
/ is that OF soldier, and for il wisdom and duty
require the most fitting workmen- The superior
instrumentalties should be preferred IL will
not do. in my opinion, to risk our liberties and
safety on the negro, while the white man may be
/ called 10 the sacred duty of defense. For the
present it seems best to leave the subordinate la
bors of society TO the negro and 10 impose its
/ highest, as now existing, on the superior class.