Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-11-04
Far the Standard.

Mr.. EDIToR:-I have not heard of one man in
orth-CsIolins so demented as to endorse the
silly and cowardly project of srming our slaves and
putting them in the military service. do not pro-
pose to discuss the expediency of the measure
The Richmond Sentinel supposed to be the organ
Of President Davis favors it. and hence 1t is feared
that it will come before the next Congress- backed
with the favor Of the administration; but'in this
State, the Editors Of the Fayetteville Observer,
the most subserviept administration press in the
South treat it not only inexpedient but absurd.
propose to submit some observations on the
resolution of the Southern Governors which seems
to endorse this project the resolution is in these
Words
"ResOlucd, That the course of the enemy IN ap-
propriatng the slaves, who happen to fall into their
hands to the purposes of war, seems to justify
change Of policy part; and while owners of
slaves under tie circumstances should freely yield
them to their country, we recommend to our al
-thOrteS, under proper regulations, to appropriate
such part of them to the public service as may be
required"
Due respect for the distinguished gentlemen who
promulgated their recommendations, under such
imposing circumstances, forces Us to assume that
their conclusions wero the result of deliberate con-
Sideration-and that ii language had been used to
make their views clearly nttllIgible. 1t would be
indecent to assume that they did not understand
the "policy" as to which they recommend
"chGngs" That policy has been to employ our
SIasSS i'll hCThllB on lOTIuCallOlS, every OIiST
suitable operation not requiring the use Of arms
The LIST section Of the act of the 18th February,
1SG4 entitled San act to increase the efficiency Of the
army by the employment OF ree negroes and slaves
in certain capacities makes all male free negroes
excepting those found under treaties with France
and Spain, between the ages OF lS and 80 years,
liable to perform such duties with the army, or in
connection with the military detences of the CONN.,
try, in the way Of work upon Qualifications, or in
government works for the production Or preparation
Of material Of war, or in military hospitals as the
Secretary Of War, or the Commanding General of
tie Trans Mississippi department may from to time
prescribe"
The % section Of the act authorizes the Secretary
Of Var TO employ Tor duties similar to those in
Dictated" In the LIST section, twenty thousand male
slaves at wages to be agreed Upon with the owner.
The Sd section authorizes tho Secretary Of War,
when he shall be unable 10 procure, under the pre-
cedng sections, the labor required to impress rot
exec. ding twenty thousand such slaves, to dis
chsrge the duties indicated the LIST section. This
contains regulations Tor feeding and clothing the
negroes so employed, for the payment OF wages,
the indemnity OF the owners of slaves, who may
escape On die of Diseases contracted in the service
or be killed by enemy, &c.
The policy" of using the labor of all the able
bodied male free negroes and of 90 600 slaves, by
impressment had already been adopted and our
Governors recommend change" Of our policy,
and rest the justification Of the proposed change
upon the the course of the enemy appropriatng-
the slaves, who happen to fall into their hands to
the purposes Of war" What purposes of WARP
We all know they arm them and put them in the
forefront Of battle. They make soldiers of them,
and if VIC are to "changs" our policy, in what is
this change to consist II it be not to make soldiers
OF them alSor
The Raleigh Conservative of the 26th inst, CON-
meDtiug on the resolutions of the Governors, says:
The 9th resolution has been interpreted by to
h. leo. ,oA,
to fight our battles. Such idea, tre are assured,
was not entertained by the meeting. 1t simply ia
vors the idea OF employing the slaves, by the con-
sent of their owners, Qualifications, cooks,
teamsters, ambulance drivers, &c"
From the relations understood to exist between
the Conservative and Gov. Vance, and the language
1--WE assured :" the public understand that Gov.
Vance gave the assurance. If So it is to re hoped
that he will authorize FULLER explanation. Under
existing policy and law, slaves could not only be
employed for the purposes indicated in the C0nSer
rdtiUeS explanation with the consent of their owners
but IoithOut their consent
By the resolutions of the Governors, they re
commend, not an amendment of the act of Congress-
charging the powers conferred ty which all the
ablehodied free negroes snd 20 900 male slaves may
be forced into the service to labor fortihcatons
&c, but change" of policy.
When distinguished body voluntarily tender
their advice to Congress and the country, they
IL 10 themselves anu 10 ING doc that lnelr ADVICE
should be c0uched in ineligible terms. They
ought not to stand before the country in the ridi.
cuous light of advising Congress to do what was
already done. 1t is hoped that the Conservative
will try again.
The writer is rcjOced to believe from the Conser-
ratiU6s explanation, that the Governors did not en-.
terrain the idea of making soldiers of our slaves
Such course would disgust every veteran in the
field, and would be degrading to Southern
hood; but if this is not the purpose of the resolu-
tion can make of it nothing out uumeaning GER
6idgs. CIVlS.
Randolph, Oct %, 1854.