New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-02-23

The Rebel leaders, who have before now dis
agreed with us in several important particulars,
seem TO be on the point of disregarding our
opinions as to the eXpedicncy Of arDing their
negroes. Information from Richmond and the
tone of the Richmond papers indicate that the
condition Of their affairs is rapidly forcing them
to the desperate expedicnt of summoning the
negroes to arms in defense of the Conicderacy,
which came into being for the sole purpose OF
keeping them in Slavery. The naughty South
ron who declared that bondage aud not freedom
should be tho law Of this continent, is to-day
debating in secret session Of his Rebel Congress
whether TO put the whole available force Of hi'
slaves at once into line Of battle.
When this proposition was fast discussed
there was strong current OF public feeling
against it, and the Richmond press divided on
the subject. One or two different measures
looking to this end were defeated IN Congress.
Now the Richmond papera arc Unanimous, or
almost so, in recognizing the necessity OF the
measure, and Congress .hastens 10 enact this
converted public opinion into law. On Mon
day both Senate and House went into
secret session on the bill To arm ana
organize 100000 negroes. On the same
day, Tho Richmond Mig published a remark
able leader on the subject, emhodying The re-
port Of Big.-Gcn. shoup, which presents, says
The Uhig, the military view Of the matter
There can be no doubt that il presents the
view, aud is prepared by the direction Of, Cen
Robert L. Lee, in obedience 10 whose repeatedly
declared opinions the experiment il about to be
tried. The article from The Hhig VIII BE- found
in full on another page.
The plan Of Gen. Lee as thus developed i
to use the negro only As private soldier, MAX
ine both the commissioned and non-commis-
stoned officers Of negro regiments whites OK
clusiyely. He argues that the negro possesses
endurance, aud has been shown on or side 10
have abundant courage; that he can be made
q soldier by discipline and that real
soldier know nothing OF the merits Of ills caus.
for which, he Is fighting. Discipline is ~ grant
that leaves them 10 power 70 escape" And
Gen. Shoup assert broadly all that is required
10 make good soldier is good physique.
without regard 10 his inciinations.' He
does not esteem it necessary 10 give
or promise them freedom, but it is his
Z" frm conviction that 10 do either would ini-
pair their efficiency and tractabiiiiy." Bat
mark "The greatest possible advantage can
DO had by skaJni'y using htr desue tor Joce-
don.r Desertion is treated ~ on impossbility
under proper discipline, and revolt as equally
so for the same reason. II is proposed therefore
to leave the Slavery question Just where It
is, and put into the service az many negroes
as can De- provided with arms and equipments.
We need not repeat that these arc not
our views, but it is enough that they are
seriously entertained in Dixie by men who have
power 10 give them practical effect. 1t looks as
ii the experiment were actually trying rather
than under discussion, and We need not be sar.
pri,ed TO fnd Grants veterans confronted any
day in the trenches Of Petersburg by
negroes in gray uniforms and handling their
muskets Oh tho side Of the Rebellion.