The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-20
NEGRO SOLDIERS.

AT the beginning Of this war there
was an import ant question to be solved
by its progress, and that was Could
the South prosecute the struggle with
out embarrassment from the existence OF
four millions Of human beings within her
limits who were not amenable to service
with arms in the field. Generally, it. is
considered necessary to the defence
Of an invaded nation that ali the men
between certain ages, capable Of bearing
arms, shall be amenable to service in
the field. Here, the black constituted
distinct class, and it was supposed by
many that, as they produced the nera7-
saries of life, they would sustain the
public defence mere successfully in that
way than If sent in the field to fight
But nations that are hard pressed hy
powerful inyasions leave the production
Of the necessa..cs Ct life to that part Of
the population Aich is under and over
the ccnscript ages. Could we pursue
different course: Could We set apart a
large population, ire spectige Of age, to |
the pursuits oi production of the ne
was -pcrnS oSSv,i ''--~----4--o
force However that question might
have been decided under other circn'n-
stances, the employment by the enemy,
in making war upon US, Of that very class
Of beings we intended to exclude from
the field, forces upon us the necessity OF
nlacinc them in the front to defend the
country. We must fight the negro with
tho necro whatever we could have done
had the enemy ioGborne to employ him.
This necessity is, of course, disaGrecable,
as is proved by the evident reluctance
with which we have entered upon the
discussion. Therefore, whatever the dill
, ferences of opinion hitherto on this
subject. all parties are now wiling TO
leave the solution to the sound, practical
3 ;,,dcment of General Lee. lie is known
| to he earnestly in its favor, and we want
!, ma other endorsement. We hesitate not
$ 70 cav that the time has come when ne
!. yroes should be employed as soldiers
|, ard that they should be offered then
s. freedom, for that purpose, upon entering
&c the service. We are fully SATISFIED Q
% their availability as soldiers, Of the'
e courage and efficiency under prope
II system of discip!ine-such system a
q General Lee, at once firm and humane
6 would inausurate 1t is better to iio'
Il ratc tyo hundred Thousand negroes, an
n to put them in the army, than to ri
~ the risk of losing all. We would ratn'
l. sacrifice them all, and make emanc'p'
an tion universal, than hazard the lndepen
Ist ence Of the Confederate States. II '
fail. we lose everything, property OF ever
Ct kind and our own independence l.
of Congress give heed to the counseis
sh. General Lee. In pursuance OF the III
ok. vcrsal public sentiment, 1t has cailea III
or.. to the chief command of the armies OF t
r,s Coofederate States But OF what av
;no will he that action, if Congress does n
,ha c,othe him with the means which
of deems necessary to success? For Il
ars purpose, he should have fafff o'a"T
10, 10 raise the forces he desires upon s'l
liza terms. and in such way, as he dee
i'd expedient. There is no time 'or dei
ng- If Congress grasp the subject with
ere promptness, energy and breadth OF stat
cad manship that it demands, the equ"tr!
to sneed.