Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1865-02-21
THE VOICE OF TIE ARMY.
CAMP 5GrH VIRGINIA RkGIH,HT,
II 49,. L. E.Ll-. Ia lARS

To the Editors of the Enquirer
Gentlemen: Enclosed please find copy Of
resolutions passed by the 56:h Virginia Regi-
mont to-day, which 1 send you for pnbica
| ton. 10 obedience to one of the resolutions,
1 am r. q1ested to call your attention pafticu'
larIy to the resolution expressing tie appro :
baton Of the regiment of the enlistment Of
negroes az soldiers. THIS resolution was
pass, with grea: eprit and eotire unanimity,
and is, 30 far ~ known, the first roics uttered
in definite form snd solemn meeting that has
cone from the army % that subject. 1t is
also worthy Of note TINT the Sc regiment 10
composed OF companies from the p,ost popu-
lous slave di,tfiois in Virginia, and ito m sm-
bers, perhaps, own in tho aggregate as many
slaves as any othfr regiment from Virginis.
HENRY O. ALLEN, 'Sec'ry.
ruI r1rrY-sIxrn VIRGINIA Rk0InsET.
Where's, The recent disasters aud reyersss
which have bsfsllen our arms created spirltot
rspining and feeling of doub! Of final fuo
cess, and oppressed our people With weight
of gloom and dependency; and whersns, as
these indications Of cur supposed weakness
and inability to protraot this war much longer,
A. Lincoln has become extremely exultant
and hopeful OF our ultimate sui jlgation or
unconditional surrender, Offering ~ treat with
duly authorized commissioners Of tho Con-
federate States on tho subjsot OF reaos. only
on condition that VIC should first lay down
cur arms and 81 scsly submit to the authority
Of Tho Federal Government, and accept all bf
the conseq uenoes following from tho re-estab-
lishmsnt OF that authority; proposition which
is as degrading and humilisting as insulting;
and whereas, g constitutional amendment has
boon rtc,ntlJ adopted by tho Federal Con-
gress aboshing slavery, thus, in the event OF
submission OF reuhion on any condition, libe
rating three millions Of slaves among VI, a1d
sleyating them to tho Lowell and equality of
ourselves, and dtstr Dying 1t one "fell swoop"
property that has bsen guaranteed to US 10
The most sol.mn and sacred manner by tho
Federal Constitution therefore
Resolved, That whom VIC seeded from the
United States and took up arms to maintsin
our right of aelf-go,ernnent, and pliahttd
our lives, orr fortunes and our sacred honor
for the achievement Of independents and lib
erty, We intended il az 20 empty declaration,
mn idls boast, and that we now renew that SOL
ann plsdgt; and, with unfsltering courage. and
uuwsyering determination, We will prosecute
this war to recognition, by our enemies, As .
di,tinct and sepala:e nationality, and as Tree
and Independent; people, or We will perish in
tho attempt.
Rwolyed, That reconstruction, on tho terms
of A. Lincoln, as announced 10 the conference
With our peace commissioners ct Fortress
Monroe, is nothing loss than mitigation in Ill
it's length, breadth, height and depth, and that
reunion on any other terms Is an insult to
honor, compromise of self respect, surren-
der of liberty, . league with infsmy, and .
oov,nans With death.
Resolved, That slavery is tho normal condi-
ton of tho negro; that the right OF property IN
slaves ia just and perfect, and is entitled to
the same protection By constitutional guaran'
tees AID Legislative, oaaotmeots as any other
right of property; that Involuntary serVi.
tnds is az indispensable to The moral and
physical advancement, prosperity and happi"
ness of the African race, % is i.berty to the
whites; hut if tbs public exigenoies require
that any number Of our male slaves be enlist-
ed in tho military service in order to the sue
cessful resistance 10 our enemies and TO the
msiotsnance of the integrity OF cur govern
mtnt, we orc willing to make concessions TO
their fslse ana unenlightsned notions OF ths
blessings of liberty. and to offer to those, ana
those onl, who fight in our cause. perpetual
freedom as boon for fidelity OF service aud
loyalty to tho S,ush. LIN e
Resolved, That in tho ability and skiil OF
our Commsnder-in Chief, R,bsIt i. Lee, we
,.nos. tbe most Jun alioit and unreserysd oobt.
d.no. tho. firmly trusting in The lstnsss ami
hol;pess of our cause for fnsl sucopss. disdain
inc all of tho privations. hsrdships and periis
NJ var. We will promptly and oheeftuliy
r.srond to every call of doty ADD patriotism,
and rr,.s for ward with zeal, confidence and
WOO. TO tho glorious prize before Or, believing
that .under the guidance Of tn ovsrrnlins
Providence. who hos hitherto siGna]issd his
fa,ors and blessings beyond our expectation.
and deserts, ~ shall b ultimately crowned
With honor, glory, victory and independence,