Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-08-03
Continued I

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INCREASE OF soLDIERs' PAY.
The immediate result of this policy O
negroism in the war has been TO postpone
and at least to limit the increase of com
pensation TO our citizen soldiers. Bill,
providing such increase were permitted
TO lie unacted upon in Congress for more
than hive months of the present session
and the bill finally adopted for that pur
pose was inadequate, and made 10 talk,
effect only from the Srst day of May. 1864
1t increased the pay Of privates from Sl3
10 SIG per month, (without distinction O,
color, and the pay Of officers in somewhat
similar proportion. But the smallness OF
this increase, as we'll as the delay in en-
acting it, was occasioned by the extraya-
gant measures above mentioned The
Treasury, strained by the payment OF
enormous sums to negroes by reason of
their employment in increased numbers
and at increased rate of expense, could
lily respond 10 the just demands made
upon IL in behalf of our citizen soldiers.
Besides it is instructive to observe that
in this legislation by Congress, while in
creased pay TO white troops begins on the
first OF May, an increase to colored troops
dates from the first of January. And a
provision contained in the act of 18th of
June authorizes the Attorney General Of
the United States TO inquire whether in
creased pay under former laws cannot be
allowed to negroes employed in the public
service before the beginning of the pres
ent year, who were free on the 10th OF
April, 1861, and if he determine in favor
OF such allowance his decision shall be
carried INTO effect by orders of the War
Department. The majority in Congress,
in pursuing the phantom Of negro equali-
ty, are as improvident as they are impas-
stoned. The decision Of tho War Depart
ment lin accordance with the opinion OF
its solicitor) as to the compensation OF
negroes under former laws, IS to be open
ell and anhjarfed ~ .N'tS" ~ s'.V -.'.V,
ney General, in the hope that some add-
titional meaning may be wrung out OF the
old statutes justifying additional expen-
diturc upon favorite object.
1t ought to be manifest to every reason
able man that negroes should be paid less
than white troops, and that their increase
Of pay from ten to sixteen dollars per
month was unnecessary and prof gate
The market value of their labor is known
to be less than that of citizens, and 1t Is
equally clear that their services are much
less valuable in the army.
We have but 10 add ander this head
that additional pay TO our citizen soldiers
in service is but just and reasonable, and
ought long since tohave been provided.
The great depreciation in the value of the
currency in which they are paid, and the
-. 0f in ha try
affecting all their purchases and outlays,
have demanded the notice and considera-
ton of the Government. 1t isupon their
exertions that reliance must be placed
for success in the war, and even for the
preservation of the Treasury from embar-
rassment and the country from pecuniary
couvulsion and whatever differences OF
opinion Iasy exist as to measures Of Gov
ernmeut policy, their merits and sacrifices
demand recognition and gratitude from
the whole mass Of our countrymen.
This gigantic scheme for the employ
ment of negro troops at full rates OF ex-
pense, is, therefore, unwise as regards the
prosecution of the war, and opeartes un-
Justly as 10 our citizen soldiery in service.
In other words, il is dangerous, prohigate,
and unjust.
But limited space requires US to forego
further examination Of particular points
of Administration policy, (however in
structive and useful such examination
might be, and TO confne ourselves to
some general considerations which may
be more briefly presented. And these
will relate to the dangers which will
threaten us las results of Administration
policy) during the war and afterwards.
DANGERS IN CONVECTION WITH THE WAR.
Under this head may be mentioned the
state OF our
FINANCES AND CURRENCY.
The unnecessary waste of the public
resources in the war the enormous sums
expended upon foolish and fruitless mill
tary expeditions, sometimes badly plan
ned and sometimes badly executed and
supported, J and the other enormous sums
corrup,ly or unwisely expended in OBJ
tanning supplies and materials OF war,
would, of themselves, have been sufficient
to deeply injure the public credit, and TO
create fears Of our future ability to bear
the pecuniary burdens created by the
war. And what ought to sting the minds
OF refiectng men, is the consideration
that the general political policy of the
Administration has been such that il has
prolonged the war by depriving US of
allies and sympathy in the enemy's coun-
try, and frttered away the public energy
upon other objects beside military sue
cess.
In addition to which stands forth the
fact, that .his occasion of war has been
seized upon to establish q system of Gov
srnment paper money, which has caused
the public expenditures and the public
debt to be one half greater than they
would otherwise have been, and intro
duced numerous and most serious evils
aud dangers into all the channels of com.
mercial and busipen life. The crash Of