Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-11-23
ARMIEG THE SLAVES.
What a Rebel Paper says about It.

ne hlcnInOHQ enquirer OF tue lltu NV
in long editorial, favors the armlng OF the
slaves, and says: The employment OF slave
soldiers was never suggested aS proposition
preferable to any other. but solely as REM
dy TO which dire necessity might eventually
drive the Confederate Government. Con-
siderations Il double character are lnvolv-
ed IN this measure there Is moral influence
which the cOnScrptlon or a quarter OF mil
lion Of slaves u fight for their freedom, and
our freedom from Yankee masters, would
have upon our enemies AMI upon the world
at large, and there is a physincal Influence
OF such an augmentation OF our army upon
that army, our people. our enemy and our
cause. Nor should these two considerations
be separated in the discussion Of this prop
osition.' And the article concludes fol-
lows:
''If the necessity exists, then we say not
40, 900 only but any number that the neces-
sity may require should be conscripted, for
negro Stdrery t0aS the mere occasion, and Is
not the object or end Of this tcdr We would
show the world lesson that for national in
dependence and freedom from Yankee DOM
ination in addition to the sacrifices already
made, the people Of these States are ready
and willing, when necessity arises, to sacrifice
any number or all Of the slaves TO the cause
of national freedom, and We would teach the
enemy that exhaustion has but merely
| brought to our attention the lighting resour-
ces Of four millions of slaves, and that the
spring campaign shall open with an army of
quarter OF a million OF negroes besides our
noble veterans, and that the scene of oper-
atiOns shall be in the country OF the enemy.
Eve would respond to General GRANTS
cradle and grave assertion with he battle
shout of an army of half a million. We
could encourage our own gallant soldiers by
adding 10 their number every man that ne
groes could relieve, whether as teamsters,
clerks, hospital attendants, garrisons of sub
ordinate forts as well as pioneer and engi-
neer laborers. But discussion has been
clouded by a proposition Of freedom after
the war, and some say that if freedom is REQ
Ognized as boon to be given as q reward
for fidelity, death blow is struck at slavery.
We believe that but one State in the Con.
federacy forbids the manumisslon OF slaves.
In Virginia any person may emanclpate by
deed recorded in the courts of his county or
corporation. Is this statutory boon denl-
al that slavery is the best condition for the
negro? Unquestionably not and yet fidelity
to master Is here permitted to be rewarded
with emancipation. Now cannot fidelity to
the national cause, attested by endurance OF
hardship, by gallantry in action and expo
sure TO death, be rewarded with freedom
WITHOUT any COulpiOullSc 10 Iue IcidtioH III
which those are still held who have given
no assurance Of such fidelity? We cannot
see that the reward for faithful service In the
least conflicts With reason and arguments
which support and sustain negro slavery
I'VE II I'D the beftef that the negro is best
off, is in the right place when he has a
good mas,er; but the negro may think other
wise, and saiuS populi, which induces his
employment as soldier, demand sacrifice
in order to secure his fidelity. This sacri-
fee is made in offering him freedom for
fathfulness. Nothing is yielded to the ig-
norant prejudices of the world; a simple
bargain is struck 4 negro wants his free
dom whether boon or curse, he wants
it and for it may be willing faithfully to
serve in the army of his country That
country stands in need of these services.
One is offered for the other.
1T has no touch philanthrophy about
it, no sympathy or connection with Aboli-
tionism. BIT lCi0 shall gre this freedom,
master, .State or Eontederote G0Uernments
Master If he 1ciU, 6m If not, then State or
Confederate States GoUernn,eRt. We are
lcItOly opposed 10 compensation f0r the ne
gro. What! c0nscnpt son, husband, faith
er, and pGy for slare2 The negro pays for
himself when he fights for his former mas.
ter. just as the son reaps the reward of his
services in the freedom of his country But
these are miner points The great question
is, does the necessity exist? This Congress
should first ascertain, and then the question
Is properly debatafle.
4 letter fiom HAVANA says that COM
rnittee of influential DerSOTS has waited on