Shreveport news., 1865-03-14

the signature Of NJ. f.. we, pubiished
a communicates on the much talked
Of subject Of placing tn, ueSasss in
the field. We are pleased to see that
though our able correspondent here
tofore occupied the same ground rs
did ourself, he has changed his mind
materially, owing of course to the
emergency. That We we're one of
the first to oppose the measure-"ur
readers are aware-we did it under
the impression that it was wholly I'M
necessary now, however. wevicw it
in an entirely different light. If in
dicatiens tend to exhibit the true
positions of affairs in our country,
the Intelligence received and publish
ed during the Iast few weeks. we
think sufficiently opens to our gaze
the crisis now upon ms. We must
meet the inevitable result, by boldly
sacrificing our private opinions and
any pecuniary interests which might
deter us. in bringing to AN end, this
merciless and cruel war.
The time for discussion of the
merits or dement's of delicate ques-
tons i. past. 1t devolves upon Us to
meet as men-slavcholdcrs or non
slaveholders-and determine whether
we will Be subjugated rather than
part with our slaves, WHO can be OF
the greatest assistance to us at this
tying hour in the history of our
country. Our greatest General, rs
well "a many others well informed on
the true condition Of the country. has
expressed themselves very emphatic
ally on this subject, and. we are con
tidcnt, that now our people can judge
for themselves of the urgent n-cessl-
ty tor adopting the policy of placing
the slaves in the army, they will
chsertully consent. When the mat
ter was broached. we, not thinking
that there was such lack of men in
the army. very properly opposed it,
perhaps too bitterly. but we were &C
tuated by n sense of honor for our
country. and deemed it, then suicida'
Circumstances since. teach us that II
b.hoovcs all for the benefit of tn,
country, rs we'll rs tn. future welfar,
Of that class, to cause them to aid III
maintaining the government of tn,
I Southern States Their interests and
those of the owners are co-equal, and
both must suffer alike, or triumph to.
cether. If one ia ruined. the othe
shares IA bad a fate, if not one inf.
nitely worse. The slaves now As be.
fore. are properly cared for, well or
sick, let them, though. fall into the
hands Of the enemy, and their lot is
a bad one. RS past experience has
taught many of them, who. cithe,
through temptation, left their mas
tiers for yankee friendship. or wert
so unfortunate AZ to DC captured by
them.
Many argue that it is too late to at
tempt the step; that it will avail
nothing. The argument will no
hold good, unless we conclude to stoT
fighting. The moment we put slave.
into the army. the enemy will becom,
satisfied that we are united and deter
mined to have our independence b,
blows, and that nothing will be left
undone to accomplish our purpose
and that nothing but independence car
satisfy the South.
On this subject South Carolin;
correspondent Of the Richmond Dis
patch says:
81 left Richmond atont two week.
since, and have made it my bushes.
to ascertain, as far as possible
public opinion, in and out Of the ar
my. in relation to putting slaves ir
the army, and l have met but on.
man opposed to it, and his reason
was that it would keep at hone som,
of those old fellows that ought to be
in. l have never seen such a charge
since l was here in November. |
saw to day whole company-every
officer and man in it are in favor OF
putting in the slaves.
I have just seen a gentleman from
Virginia who lately arrived from the
Yankee lines, where he had been i'm
prisoned. He states that the fear that
we would put the slaves in the army