Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1865-05-26
Lessons Of the War. No 2.

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70 dsvelSPs the true eAar.-fer Of the slave
PoPulatiOn in this country. Although this
race has been among 1s more than a cssts-
~. -e have fsiled. up to the opening Of fhe
rseelLon. to understsnd Is peculiar char
setsristies- Many Of the notioas ~e have
formed. relative 70 the sisves. have been
Erroneous. The anfi-sisvery men of the
eOantry have al-sys fbooght. and rnainiain-
ed. that IN case ETA southern rebeIion. the
slave roPolatiOa could rise against their
masters and Il has often been said. that in
case ofa civil var. the South would have all
II could do. 20 suppress and keep down in
sorreetiO,s from this quarter.
The history ofthe war Is a complete refu-
tsiion Of this theory. Daring the four
years terrible struggle. thrOugh Which Ne
have j0st passed. ne 90 not remember
single instance ia which the slave poPula-
ton has undertakes 70 get up an in,arree-
lon against their masters. IL Is true. there
has been. in a very lev instances. some
symptoms o. negro revolt. bat they have
been exceptions TO the general rule. In
the course the slaves have taken. thew have
shown sagacity and forrthought. far BE-
yOnd What Ne have ever given them credit
for. Alfhough tbey fully understood the
nature Of the rebellion. thar q ~as = var %
spread and perPctuafe slavery. vet ihcy
very wisely come 70 the conclusion. fhai II
they undertook % make war upon their
g. i. q n
operate WITH the Union armies. they world
faii IN their object. and bring upon them
selves swirl destruction The governments
OF Jef Davis. Vas the most absolute De-
Potism ever known to the World. and the
slaves had good sense enough % see. that
II they undertook 20 siasd OF against Il
clone. they must fail.
Again. We very imPerfcciiy understood
the negro Character IN anothcr respect.
The federal Armies. during the to srst
years OF The rvbeliion. acted upon the theo-
~. that the slaves were t-rarh~rou. ard
could net. a. between Us and the rrbcls. Re
trusted. Henoc When AM of them cane
into our line, bringing important irnf5rns-
ton. Instead offrrafins then a. our fri~uds.
they we're SEIZED BY our generals AMI CON-
handing othcers. and dragged back 90 he
punished or murdered by their barbarous
masters. a. a reward ior their fAithfalness
10 Us No wonder th- Almighty vi.iird
Our Armies With defeat Wien b. saw %,
treating our i7gest friends N this inhumap
manor. Notwithstanding all this the slave.
we're tr1e 70 the Old fA-. thew did n >, re-
talisfe upon the federal ARMIES a. thev
might. for the surocios. wrongs Ne we've
then dong then. bat whenever thew could
belP as hey continuel % do "a. Their con-
duct IN ihis regard. bore upon ii the imp-cs.
Of The most exalted patriotism. Daring tbs
whole Of ihis var. a. j. vel said bv a con-
Temporary. a. the South. black skin Ia.
been the badge q true loyal heart. Ma
~ q the most Important virforie. achieved
~ our armies. have been won. hv tAkInr
advantage Of Important information. COM
munieAied TO our Commanding generals bv
the slaves Ncith~r the threats Or rr,--;s,.
OF tie rebels. or the bariarous trraf,res, Of
our Own ccnerals tosa-ls he slaves. Las
ever caused them 90 cheat or deceive us Z.
they have been our hes; friends. honest AM
truthful. exhibiting shrrrdness and TIT
"a al Their movements. wbich ~oaId 60
credit 10 any people.
Another very important Development. IN
reference 20 she slaves las cro-n out q tie
var. We nov NOV. THAT we never kne-
bef0re. that the negroes make BE verv bc.,
Of soldiers. While 90 thougii that thrv
might possibly irom their doeile habits. be
easa, disciplined ard governed. Ne ia .af
think they Possessed ihe physical courage
Of the whites Bod in this ~ were mis-
taken. The world never sar braver t-oons
than our coiorrd regiments Ter aespcr.,-
bulldog hglting. they have hal no sspe-
riors IN ths ar IL making some of tbe
Eost desperate a.sal,is ur1n the err-r-s
works. they have Jed tbe var ard cbsr,r-.
Cd The admiration az ihc wor.I Lv thsi- t.-
roe courage ard deed. 90 larirr. In
storming works ard charging batteries. OBJ,
negro troops in this var have Justly ear.cI
ior therselFcs immortal fame Tie PAGE.
On htstory. vaiob shall cLroric lo o. future
generaiious the spLnliI and brilliant
achievement Of tle federal ARMIES 3D. fh.s
var, wi carry aio-r ui,h -fe-- in sfr,..
every ine. some gallant deed a Teisrlv ,-..l-
red to plr negro tops N. srf,frsfrs-.
~ 81 hcrea'fr- raisr ft- qasr.o- -u
soc Negro fzaf,r lie Las serl.g cha.