Washington telegraph., 1865-03-29
ARMTxs NEeRoss-We Learn from n

AhhlNG EEGhOE>--Nt iNdin IIUln nOILh-
eru papers that our Senate mas reconsdeTed
its actisn on the bill for raising force OF slaves
takenrit mp again. and pissed il by majority
Of one. Mr.. Hunter strongly protesting against
theniea s,ire all the wtila.a altered his vote in
obedience to the Virginia Legislature
We have some remarks to make. upon this
matter, and wish to be understood We intend
to support our Congress in all its action, until
it be declared unconstitutional by the proper
tribunal We advise ihrrs to do SO also Bat
1t is well at the same time, tor the members TO
know that the people who thus patTioticaily
abstain from discsrd, do it not from servility or
any reiinquishment OF the right OF thought.
We, too, may support them under protest.
Wehavs a profound regret that President
Davis and Gen. Lee recommended this matter
TO Congress. We regret that the House Of
Representatives, acted so hastily in deciding
upon the most important subject which ever
came come before them. We regret the
incorporate tone with which the Richmond
Enquirer urged its passage by the Scnate,evcn
going the length of advising the President to
assume he.dictatorship should the Senate de-
feat what il assumed to be the wishes Of the
people We regret the Virginia Legislature
chose to interpose in legislating for the whole
Contederacy, and trannelin her representative
that freedom Of thought which should have en-
abled him to look to the interests OF the whole.
and not TO local prefertRces-w without which
freedom indeed, no man Can sit with dignity
in anv deliberative assembly, and discharge bis
oath of office properly. And we most especial
ly regret that man whom we have admired
20 much rs we have Mr. Hunter, should have
taken course, which, however honestly adept
cd, must lessen our respect tor his moral cour-
age and trnness Of purpose. He did what he
himself pronounced a deliberate wrong, and
violation of the constitution at the behest of
turbulent legislature, whose action was framed
=. .Ian n,sl 81 paatIlMr nXcitRnPnf He had
better have resigned. i
The time had not come for this bold inLOva-
ton upon all the principles and practices which
have Throughout the wUrld regulated the Tela-
ton Of slaves TO the dominant race. IL has the
appearance Of desperate resort, and makes The
impression Of weakness and uepdztion. We
mightby keeping the slave in the grain fields
have maintained the war for generation, and
won our freedom by the arms Of freemen. The
question Of arming slaves has been thrown like
n fire. brand into our councils. ii ID we'll that
or people should see thar danger at once, and
guard, az they hope for national salvation,
against allowing themselves TO be- excited upon
il, or forming into pai tres, or quarrelling with
cur COVE Tnmsnt.
Fortunately il was not passed by a sectional
vote Denounce any one as q demagogue who
insinuates that those who opposed IL looked to
the interests of the shareholders. When the
bill was tabled in the Senate, the States in thai
body which opposed the arming OF slaves were
Florida, Nsrth Carolina, South Carolina, Geor-
gia, Virginia aud Al kansas The States which
voted f r il were Mississippi, Kentucky, Ten
nessec Louisiana and Alabama. Missouri and
Texas were divided The largest slave-hsliilg
interest was in favor Of arming slaves What
ever differences OF opinion exists on this sub
iect We congratulate the nation that they are not
sectional. or prompted by The interests Of classes.
No one can honestly think so, unless his mind
b. strangely perverted by prejudice.
VIZ hope that something may occur TO relieve
TIE President from acting under the law.
speedy change Of our fortunes, the recognition
OF foreign powers, some new phase oi our At
fairs may vet save US from the danger of 50
vast and terrible an experiment. Meanwhile
in any event let rs all stand together and sup
port our government, regardless OF our personal
opinisns The time for reproaches has passed.
T'hey can only divide us. Let US hope that We
are wrong, and that President Davis, and Gen.
Lee and tho long array Of eminent men who
support this policy wiser than We are, and
trusting that the evils fear will BE- avoid-d,
and good ceme of ID, which We do not foresee,
support the government with AT our heart.
We applaud the vote OF Nj. Garland in the
Senate From all we can learn, he represented
~ aF hi. constituents