Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-11-11


nish their own horses has proven pernicious in
many respects. It interferes with discipline. inn
pairs efficiency, and is the OF frequent and
prolonged absence from appropriate duty. The
subject IS fully treated in the Secretarys report,
wi d suggestions as to the proper measures for re-
forming that branch of the service.
The recon- mendation hitherto often made is again
renewed, that some measure be adopted for the re-
organization and con solidation of companies and
regiments when so far reduced in numbers as seri-
ously to impair their efficiency. 1t is the more
necessary that this should be done, as the ahsense
of legislation the subject has forced Gen erals in
the field to to various expediens for approx
imating the desired end. 1t is surely an evil that
comman 1ing officer should be placed in a posi-
tirn which forces upon him the choice OF allowing
the efficiency OF his command to be seriously i'm.
paired. or of attempting to supply by the exercise
of doubtful authority, the want Of proper legal
provision. The regard for the seusibiltY of officers
who have heretofore served with credit, and which
is believed to Ee tn e controlling motive that has
rtoobstructed legislation on this subject no
ever honoarable and proper, may be carried to q
point which seriously Injuries tile ptbic good and
it this be the case II can scarcely be questioned
which OF the two considerat ions should be deemed
paramount.
The Secretaoy's recommendation on the subject
OF facilitating the acquisition of the iron req uired
for maintaining the efficiency of railroad comnuni
cation on the important military lines are COM
mended to your favor. The necesslts for the OPP
Grafton in full vgor OF such lines is too apparent to
need comment.
Inc question in dispute BET ween the two Govern
ments relative to the exchange of prisoners of war
mas been frequently presented in former messages
ond epor is, and is fully treated by the
The solcitude Of the Government for the relief OF
our captive fellow-ctizens has known no abate-
ment but has, on the contrary. been still more
deeply evoked by the additional suf rings to which
they have been wantonly subjected by deprivation
OF adequate food, clothing and fuel. which they
we're not even permitted to purchase from the pris-
on suffers. Finding that the enemy attempted to
excuse their barbarous treatmect by the unfound-
ed allegation that it was retaliatory tor like con-
duct ON oHr part, offer was made by US with o
view OF ending all pretext for sush resrmiustions
or pretented retaliation.
The offer has beeu accepted, and each Govern
ment is hearafter to be allowed to prov ide neccs-
sary com, orts to its own citizens held captive by
the other. Active efforts are in progress for the
immediate execution of this agree Mt, and it is
hcped that but few days will elapse before we shall
be feliesed from the distressing Thought that pain
full physical suffering is endured by 50 many of our
fellow citizens whose fortitude in crptivity illus
trates the national character fully did their
yalor in actual conflict.
xAPLoYHENT OF SLAVES.
The employment Of slaves for service with the
army as transfers, cooks, or in the way of work
upon Notifications, or in the Government work.
shops, or in hospitals, and other similar duties,
was authorized by the act of 18th February last,
and provision was made for their impresslnent to
number not exceeding twenty thousand, ifit should
be found impracticable to obtain them by contract
with the owners. The law contemplated the hiring
only Of the labor of these slaves and imposed 81
the Government the liability to pay for the v&lhe
of such as might bs lost to the owners from casual
ties resulting from their EN- poyment in tho SER
vice.
This act has provided less result than was antic-
ipated, and further provision is required to rem
der it efficacious. But INV present purpose is to
invite your consideration to the propriety of rad
ical modification in the theory Of the law.
Viewed merely as property, and therefore as the
subject OF pressment, the seryice or labor Of the
slave has been frequently claimed for short periods
in the construction of defensive works. The slave,
however, bears another rea ton 10 the State that
OF person. The law of last Febrn ary conteni-
plates only the relation of the slave to the master,
and limits the impressment to certain term of SER
vice. But for the purposes enumeratedin the act.
instruction in the manner Of encamrinc, marc ir,V
ard parking tra irs is needlu so that even in this
limited employ ment, length of service adds great
y to the value Of TIE negroes labor. Hazard is
also encountered in all the positions to which
groes can be assigned for service with the army,
and the duties required of them demand loyalty
and zeal. In this aspect the relation of person
predominatcs SO far as to render it doubtful wheth-
err the private right OF property can consis tently
| and ben6cially be continued, and it would seem
proper to acquire for che public service tire entire
property in the labor of the slave, and to pay
therefor due compensation, rather to impress his
labor for short terms: and this the more especial
~ rs be eHeCJ OF tue present law would vest this
entire property in all cases where the slave might
recapured after compensation for his loss had been
paid to the private owner. Whenever the e, tire
property in the service of slave is thus acquired
by the Government, the question is presented, by
what tenure he should be held. Should he be re-
| tanned in servitude or should his emancpat ton be
held out to him reward for faithful service, or
| should it be granted at once the promise OF
sach service; and If efnahcipated, what action
should be taken to secure for the freedman the
nprm at he ta vrhi oh ha dra n
to reside within its limits after the close of his pub
lie service. The permission would doubtless be
| more readily accorded reward for past faith
full service, and double motive for Jealous dis
charge of duty would thus be oHere to those en-
ployed by the Government, their freedom and the
qualification OF the local attachment, which is so
marked characteristics Of the negro, and forms
so powerful an incentive to his action. The policy
OF engaging to iberate the negro his discharge
after service faithfully rendered. seems to me pref
| cradle to that ofgranting immediate manumssion,
tt at OF retaining him in seryitude. If this pol
icy should recommend itself to the judgment Of
Congress, it is suggested that, in addition to the
duties heretofore performed by the slave, he might
be advantageous employed as pioneer and engin-
eer laborer; and in that event, that the number
should be augmented to fort, thousand.
Beyond this limit and these employ it does
not seem to me desirable under existing circum-
stances, to go. A broad moral distinction exists
bet yeen the of slaves soldiers in the defence
of their homes, aid the Indictment of the same per
sons to insurrection against the masters. The one
is usti6able If necessary the other is iniquitous
and unworthy OF civilized people, and such is the
judgment Of all writer's public law, as well a.
| that expressed and insisted on by our enemies in
all wars prior to that now waged against us. By
none have the practices, of which they are now
guilty, been denounced with greater severity than
by themselves in the two wars with great Britain
the last and in the present century; and in the
Declaration Of independence of l776, when emu
meration was made Of the wrongs which justified
the revolt from Great Britain, the climax Of atroc-
ity was deemed to be reaShed emily when the Eng.
..sh monarch was denuonced as having ssexcited
domestic instruction amongst u.s.
The subject is to be viewed by us, therefore,
solely in the light Of policy and our social econo-
my. When so regarded, must dissent from those
who advise general levy and arming of the slavs,
for the duty Of soldiers. Until our white popua-.
ation shall prove insufficient for the armies we re-
qulTe and can afford to keep in the field, to employ
assazsoldler the negro, who has mereley been
trMued to labor and as . laborer, the white man,
accustomed from his youth 10 the use of fire arms
would scarcely be deemed wise Or advantageous
~ any and this is the question now before u.s.
but should the alternative ever be presented Of
subluga ton or OF the employment of the slave as
soioler, there seems no reason to doubtwhat should
then De our decision. Whether our view embra-
ces what would, in so extreme case, be the sum
OF misery entailed by the dominion of the enemy,
Or 20 restricted solely to the effect unon the well
fare and happiness Of the negro population them
selves, the result would be the same: The appall-
concentration, suffering, disease and death Which
nave peen caused " partially substituting tide in
saaers system of police. for the kind relation pre-
Sf1ncr hokxr oeknv c1~