Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1865-01-25
From the Lancaster Ledger.
Negro Consumption:

q
Mr.. EDITOR Since the advancement of
this very important subject, before the peo-
pie, by several ocf the leading Journals Of
the country, no question has given me more
earnest concern and none in which Ihave
felt. so ideepa solioitude. L am satisfied
that the majority Of the people at home are
averse to this measure, but such is not the
case in the army. Two thirds Of this army,
if it were made p test vote, would sanction
its immediate adoption. Believing there
remains but two alternatives, to relieve us
four distressing condition; viz :. re;con-
struetion ,pithout slavery, or. arning and
bringing into, the field 3 large number. OF
our abls-bodied negroes. I mnchi prefer
the latter to the former. ,.:,r, e,',,,,, "a
Iam aware Of the fact, that great many
objes. to this measure, on the grounds Of
moral, wrong ;apd that the negro is na6it
for a soldier, Both Of these objections may
be entitled to consideration, but not to that
extent which some, largely interested, de-
sire to impress. Whether it be a moral
wrong or not, I am not fully prepared to
discuss, but instances are given us in the
Book of Truth, where masters led their ser
wants into battle in defence of -theig, house
hold and kindred, ] cannot perceive the
error we would commit, by taking q portion
of our. servants, using them in defence, of
our (their) country. and the perpetuation OF
the institution Of slavery. z5,s g. 7-:s2.o
No one viii, with all the facts before
him, assert that the institution of slavery is
not greatly endangered..- We are aware OF
this fact; and also, that its defenders are
diminishing numerously by incidents Of
battle, with -n6tlsuheient field to rsplenish.
We have anielement .undef. our control that
will answer the pprpose-shau we bring it
to bear and burst the cords that bind us, or
shall welsurrsnder this power to the enemy
to be used against us, and sink into. agpo-
minious oblivion as a people and nation. $;
+; The negro, as,assoldier, may mot be alto
Esether as efficient as the white, but we have
good grounds for believing, that with prop
or discipline, ethey1wilf be effective and aid
materially in deciding speedily this contest.
With 100 900 menadded oithis army Gen.
Lee could transfersthe Wal; r;sand maintain
himself in the epemy's country: md if
we were able to do this We would be bless
ed with'a, speedy and honorable peace 4
know that there are some who still doubt
the capacity of 1thesnegro,, but our: enemy
has taught US lesson as regards that mat
ter, and we know from observation that the
negro will fight. and are more to be relied
on than the white troops OF the enemy
Never willswe accomplish athe desired
end, until the people'of theaeountry consent
! to give their property and risk their lives
in defence of the cause. z W heneVer they
see this view of the, picture, then our ezis-
tence, las a,nation, is on:a firm footing
We are engaged-in'a war for independence
and libersy-snd though slavery is one4of
the most important priuciples-if, it be es-
sentinlly necessary to sacrifice anything, let
it not be oursibertiss: Give us'libersyin
{ preferen &c Ito everything else. But there
is a way to save our1iberty and the institu'
. ton Of s!svesgp Bse e'uai make iuseaG thii
element placed in our bands, and we will
succeed: The negro has an'intefest 10 this
wsr-ths very existence Of the race 70 Sta