The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-01-24
CTR Wrstrrn grmnfrnt,
CHARLOTTE. n c.

NEGROES FOR THE ARMY.-The Hon Johr
Cunningham of South Carolina, publishes in the
Columbia Carolinian his views the subject O.
using negroes in cur army. These views are giver
to the public at the request Of Gov. Magrath W.
make few extracts fro1n Mr. Cuningham's article
Pretermittng, for the moment, the genera
question Of policy, it may be agreed that the State
! Governments only and not the Confederate bavt
absolute control that policy and its absolute
enforcement. But each State may place its organ
lied negro troops at the disposal of the Confeder
ate Government, for the purpose OF a common and
united defence of the Contederacy. On the ques
ton of policy it may be remarked, first, that the
difficulty of the South arising from the scattered
pauoity Of her population, in obtaining men to ill
her armies renders the conscrption of her colored
people moa0 necessary; and, second that the danger
of the North's capturing and forcibly arming her
negroes against her, enforces this unexpected eff
fort for selfpreservaton and Independence. And
too the negroes have vital interest, present and
) future, in defending the soil and climate, their
products, ard the system Of slave labor which pro-
duces them as the only reliable and permanent
sources Of their own subsistence and ell-being.
Nor should, will, they be unmlndful Of these
''domestc relations which bind them to their
homes; their owners, their wives and children, q
Of that lasting peace which is SO essential to their
happy lives and thriving condition They may
assuredly understand that Yankeedom will not
leave them any Of these blessings, and that the
North intends to dispossess both them and their
owners of their favored country"
The writer explains his plan for preparing the
negroes fer the field thus:
"Assuming that tho negro population of South
Carolina are about 100000, and that half are
acorkers, and that Of the latter $1,000 males are
capable (say from Is to 45 years) of bearing arms
10000 Of them may be readily spared for military
service without materially diminishing the indus
trial capacity Of slave system Of labor or nre-
venting full supply of food This number should
every part of our State as the question of sufi
cheney of food, noe0 entirely dependent on slave
labor, is paramount one.
l deem it essential that the negro troops, called
into the field, should be placed under the command
of those to whom they have teeu ouetomed 10
render obedience and confidence, in whom they
recognize rightfu and habitual authority, and with
whose interest and families they consider them
selves identified. Of course, every company could
not be raised from the slaves of the captain and
lieutenants; but it should come from common
locality the officers be known to the negroes in
that locality, and be known shareholders or man
ayers, having a common interest and object with
all its masters. The negro soldier will and should
be thus impressed by the idea aud feeling that he
is fighting for cause common to himself and
master to his country, and ali lis inhabitants,
white and biack-contending for the preservation
of the sources Of their support, comfort and peace
and Of their domestic relations"
''The legislative powers only can authorize toe
raising Of negro troops or any interference with the
master S rights Of property IN slaves. An extra
session of the Legislature should be promptly cal
led. A conscript law should be passed, determin-
ing the policy the number and ages of negro
troops; also, whether the slave forces should be
placed under any Confederate control Emancl-
patton should be sternly eschewed, either as gen
era policy in regard to the forces, or as an lndlVl
dual guerdon. Let stand by the States settled
policy in this regard"
'Ample provision should be made for compen-
satoE to the master for any loss Of his slave pro-
perty in service Negro troops, while they should
be commanded by white officers, should not be
mingled in the same ranks, either Of company or
regiment, with white troops, They should be in
the same brigades divisions, corps army tut
the negroes to the whites should not be in larger
UroDortion than one to two. The white element
should always be proxitnate and predominant, SO
as efectuay to secure subordination and discipline
in the slave force. The officers should be appoin-
ted by the Governor"
Mr. Cunningham closes his letter with these SEN
sible remarks:
"In conclusion, let the negro soldier not only
understand that he is fighting for his masters
rights but his own, and that his master Is also
fighting for both. He will soon learn, too that it
is better for him to fight the Yankees, in company
with his MASTER than to be forced by the Yankees
to fight with them against his master, and to the
ruin of his people and country