Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-02-17
WE regret to see, in the Charleston Mr"ry, an

apimosities among our people, just ~ time "neh
harmoiy and good-feeling are most imPerativeiy
needed. We can very web account for decided
differences Of opinion on this important questions
for. without ssch differences what now appears to
be the prevailing sentiment 10 favor Of the pro-
nositiou could never have been reached. A sud
den conversion from unanimous opposition to
unanimous support, on the part Of rejecting
people, would be an extraordinary phenomenon IN
the history of public questions. Bat the very fact
that This question exhibits those phases OF transition
which seem 10 Indicate az approaching Affirmative
decision, should. we think, have suggested to, So
candid journal as the ltvc-ry tho propriety OF
abs,ainius from unqualified impeachmeutsoft the ID
tegIitv aud patriotism OF those who support the
Emedsure.
There can be no doU5t that the eNPcdient Of using
abe services Of the negroes in some direct way
against the common enemy has grown in popular
N,y,sr the more thoroughly il has been debated
The highest military authorities recommend il; and
people ust as sagacious any others in the country
urge it upon Congress. The Mercury is simply mis-
taken in assuming that this idea originated in Virgin
ia or that it tie reflection Of uus0unduess in this
State, on the subject OF slavery. ,&ysSik,.astI,
raj development of the necessidcS IS iheF>fss
the uneasiuess the past few weeks has given
birth. Ii the most Of the others have fallen still
born, while this one has survived and grown in
strength that fact shows that It possesses superior
vitality, aud Is more congrUoUs with the demands
OF the times The NTclry does indeed, limit its
Recommendations TO these who propose 70 confer
emancipation on the negro as compensation for
his military services. But IL seems 10 inter that
emancipation is the real object of shose VINO favor
the measure thus attributing kind Of Abolition
ism 70 very large number Of our people while, in
fact, emancipation i suggested only an incident
BY those who imagine that in this way alone could
the main expeditnt he rendered effective. In TO
gard 10 this point also there may be a Latitude
opinion, which does not by any means imply trea-
son or asolitioni,m either on the one side the
other People who thin6 that tie gitt of emauci-
patton would better enable to utilize the resources
presented by our supply Of negroes, are not
therefore aJolitiQp!sts. Tue eXpedieEt OF
armiug tile slaves being once adopted, the
ques,lou might present itself-hOw best can
We render this eXPeuent effective The
question would not be, a. II has been asserted
whether freedom OF slavery is best for the negro
but whether the negro himself would SO consider
q. That large numbers of them Do think it . de-
s.rable b.ou is proved by the fat that they OF
- the Yankees in quest OF it. That almost all OF
these would return T. Us with the same inducements
re think uuQuestiouable. But We sincerely hope
TIA: &c shall not DC driven TO any such alternative.
We ,nay accomplish al that desire by using the
negroes simply rs slaves. But 1--WE DO say that we
would not Hesitate to use them in any way what
ever 20 get rid o: Yankee domination. We say
COLL r - rf,t,
that South Carolina entered into this struggle for NJ
ether purpose than to maintain the institution OF
slavery; that Southern independence has no other
object OF meaning, and that independence aud sIa-
very must stand together or fall together. We do
not pretend 70 dispute the NrcTyS assertion. But
We protest gains applying 1t to the other States.
II is true that tc preserve African slavery me Il
aced as was by unpriuciped ami imperous
ochlocracy, was the proXImate object Of secession.
So is trUe that the stamp act aud the tea tax weEs
the proxima,e causes Of the American Revolution.
But e have yet TO learn that tie patriots Of that
dav would have submitted TO England after de-
carlas independence if England had guaranteed to
them free "a and Unstomped paper forever Nor
do We believe that this people would or ought to
return u the Yankee Union, even If Lincoln could
and would guaran the perpetuity Of African
slavery The Ut-cTy Will have il that slavery and
independence must stand together or fall together
that neither Of them stand alone. As to slavery
is true. Without independence it must fall
How.sh0uII suffer, then, should We, in case Of
necessity sacrifice it for the sake Of independence
We bope % preserve il. We believe We can pre-
serve il. So do We hope to preserve portion at
least OF our houses an our lands. Would the
Mercury declare that VIC should Succumb 70 the Yam
kees rather than sacrifice any OF our property
Jr must he told that il is our duty 70 give every
F. ,aiug i2r njepeadcEce-Ian houses, life itself
t.-s lot our slaves! These, to be sure, We shall
use at oUce should We be conquered; but 10 bet
~ 70 Lc conquered, even 10 submit TO the yoke we
. uuch dread, aud against which We have 50 des-
Perately struggled than 10 make use OF this last
Il m INV Ne III. mr. elf. tive reionrce