The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-10-06
Taking Refuge Behind the Negro.
An Insult to White Soldiers,

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From the New York journal of Commerce
The Tribune says this "was not white
mans government during the last three
years, when 1t found refuge against ybite
traitors behind too hundred thousand
black bayonets."
1t is possible that the readers of the
Tribune may be imposed on by such twad-
die as this; but to the sensible and intelli-
gent community at large it is sheer nom
sense. Nor is this al. 1t is insulting to
the people Of all parties in this great coun-
try. Four.ffths of the people, Republicans
as well as Democrats, opposed the en-
ployment of negro soldiers. The only
men who "found refuge" behind the
armed negro were the ultra abolitionists,
and they took refuge, not from the rebels
at the South, but from the draft at the
North. Massachusetts, hunted the nation
through to find negroes to fill up her quota
and save her citizens from fulfilling the
Governors promise to throng the roads
with volunteers. Two weeks ago there
was negro regiment discharged in Bos-
ton. We came on in the train that after
noon to New York, and we are able to
state on our own personal observation that
very large part of the men composing
the regiment came on to this city and State
to find their homes. This was the only
kind of taking refuge behind the negro
that we or the people OF this country know
anything about
This has long ceased to be question of
politics, and is now question of history,
and the Tribune might afford to sacrifice
old political notions to an honest desire for
the truth of history. The simple, unvar-
nished truth il, that the negro soldiers
have been Of no manner of use to US in
this war. Where ten thousand of them
have been used to fulfill purpose, one
thousand or one hundred white soldiers
would have been of more value by far.
We have conversed with scores of re-
turned officers and soldiers, men of no po-
litical aspirations, who have seen the
negro regiments under all conditions, and
their testimony is unanimous that the col
ored troops were nowhere worth their salt.
This is the uniform statement of every
soldier whom we have seen, who is not
political candidate for some office 1t is
the notorious verdict of all the most emf
nent officers of the army.
AS q matter of fact, the stories which
were published for political effect about the
bravery of these troops are known to be
fabricatiOns. We have before this alluded
to the celebrated advance of the negroes
at Fort Wagner, which was represented in
such brilliant colors, the poor fellows fall
ing by hundreds on the parapet and under
the works of the fort. The fact is now
well known that they did not advance
within some hundred yards of the fort,
and their conduct was simply ludicrous un-
der the first fire they received. This is
but specimen of the historical verities VI
which political writers manufacture in
times of excitement. 1t is not to be doubt
ed that the organization of negro regi-
ments has cost the nation many millions
of dollars, which we're thrown away to
crafty All ardent partisanship. or to save
those who advocated it from the draft, and
resulted 10 no adequate return whatever.
The implication Of tie Tribune is, that
white men were not forthcoming for the
war. This every reader knows to be un-
true. There was never any such refusal Of
white men to volunteer, as is implied in
this accusation, unless in Massachusetts,
and we do not believe there was any ne
cessity for resorting to negro troops there
Tie trait would have brought white mer
enough even there. Instead, therefore, o
taking refuge behind the negro, the trutl
is, that negro troops we're forced on tn
country by these men who now have th,
impertinence to taunt white men with tax
ing refuge behind them.