Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-01-31
Gov. Brnmlette to Massachusetts.

The immaculate patriots of Massachu-
sets, who object TO volunteering because
they have made money enough out of the
war to hire other people to do their part OF
the fighting-those "model men" of the
model civilization" have sent out their
agents in all directions to gather up negroes
and "poor white trash" to fill up their long
deficient quota of troops. In Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, and probably all the Northern
States where there was no danger of get
ting hurt, these Massachusetts recruiting
missionaries have made their appearance.
Recently one of them ventured over into
Kentucky, but, feeling that it might not be
entirely safe to run off negroes from that
State, wrote letter to Governor BRAM-
LErTE, asking permission. Governor BRAM-
LETrE replied, and his reply ought to mantle
with shame the check of every Massachu-
sets man who is not already lost to any
sense of that feeling. We append the let
ter of Governor BRAMLETTE entire:
FRANKFoRT, December Ia, 1S63.-
Capt. Ed,cdrd Cdh,u, recruiting coiored troops /.
SIR-Yours of the 10th inst. informing
me that you had been ordered to Kentucky
to recruit free cOlored men" for the army
of the United States. and asking my con-
sent for so doing, is before me. You do not
inform me by what authority you come tn
Kentucky to recruit 9 free cOlored men."
know of no act of Congress requiring
such service, nor have seen any order
from the War Department directing it,
On the contrary, l am we'll assured that
In Difference to our peculiar position, and
to avoid unnecessarily aggrayating the
troubles of the loyal men OF Kentucky, the
authorities Mt Washington do not contem-
plate recruiting ''cOlOredmen" in Kentucky.
We are ready to fill our quota from the
free" white citizens of Kentucky. We will
unhesitatingly comply with the requistiOn
for men to defend our government. We
claim the right to furnish from citizens
whose duty it is to make that defence, and
who are ready to comply with the require
ments of duty. The duty of defence de-
wolves upon those who enjoy the benfits of
our government. From such we will fill the
call upon us. We presume that WHITE MEN
who owe the duties Of allegiance 10 The gore,y,-
ment toiU be accepted for It's defence. We will
furnish them. II, therefore, you come tc
recruit "colored men" for the benefit OF
Kentucky, we decline your services. If you
come to recruit for another State, we de
NY your right to do so, and forbid
IL. No state has the right under any law or
order to enter Kentucky to recruit either
white or scolored" men. We do not inter
meddle. with any State that chooses to re-
cruit ''colored" men within its own limits.
But no State that is not willing to meet the
measure of duty by contributing Its quota
from It's own population shall be permitted
to shelter from duty behind the free negro
population Of Kentucky.
We shall meet the call upon us without
enlisting colored men, and your own State
must meet its call from its own white or
''colored' men, as may best suit its people,
and not assume to recruit either white or
black In Kentucky.
Yours, ETC.,
~, THOMAS r. BRAMLETTE,
Governor of Kentucky.