Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-31
The GOrdian Knot CuT BY a soldier

/ The GOrdian Knot Cut by a Soldier
GEN. Sherman on the Negroes.
General Sherman has, by one master
stroke with his good sword, cut the Gordi-
an knot, of what shall be done with the
freedmen. The Special Order No Is,
which we publish this morning, will be-
come one of the most famous of the whole
war. 1t provides simple, natural and
just method for dispOsing of that large ne
gro population that our armies are con-
stsntly reseuing 'out of the jaws of death,
out Of the mouth of hell" The negroes
are to be provided with lands to cultivate
on their own account. All the Islands
from Charleston south, all the abandoned
rice-felds along the rivers, thirty miles
back from the sea, and the country border
ing on the st. Johns in Florids, are given
up to the negroes made free by the acts of
war and the Proclamation of Emanci-
patton. The negro is to be treated as free
msn, and every regulations are imposed
upon these colonies only in their earlier
stsges, until they shall acquire some solid
ity and permsnence. The region thus ap-
propristed is perhaps the most fertile in
the South. The best of cotton can be raised
on the islands, and rice in abundance on
the plantations bordering on the rivers
There is ample room, also, for large pop
ulation. Each family is to have forty acres,
enough to cultivate and properly support
themselves. Negro soldiers can have their
families transferred to this new colony.
We infer from the order that the con-
trsbsnds now located at other points along
the sea-cosst, will be transferred to Sher-
mans new colony. 1t is provided thst
any negro who enlists in the service of the
United States, may locate his family on
any one of the settlements. The extent of
territory thus appropriated extending
from Charleston to the 81. Johns strip
thirty miles wide, will be sufficient TO ac-
commodate an immense population. The
nature of tie country will admit of its easy
protection from marauders On land. 1t
will have several fine harbors for the ship
ment of the products to foreign or North
ern ports. The whole plan opens a clear
and easy method of disposing of the fresd-
men.
The absurd idea of colonization in for
eign country, Africa or Central America,
is at once killed. The negro is to remain
as one ofthe necessary instruments for the
future growth and prosperity of the nation.
He is to add otis riches and remain where
he naturally belongs, where the climate
and the labor will be congenial ard ia
milisr to him. We see in this new col
onlzation scheme the dawn of Bbetter day
for the negro. Unreqhited toll is nolonger
TO be the law of the South. Profits are no
longer to be wruug from the unpaid sweat
and blood of millions of people. It is very
gratifying 10 see this important subject
thus vigorously handled The great ques-
tion is no longer, what shall be done with
DlhNefl. lAdb Il u6huJ VI al lSasS f6Il
nearly SO. What shall done with freed
men is the problem which now engages
the attention of all patriotic and thinking
men. General Sherman gives his view of
the subject in ORDER NO Is He says
colonize the negroes. Give them land to
hold as their own. Protect them until
they know how to protect themselves.
Deal with them honestly and justly. En-
deavor to atone for life cruelty wronged,
by a life dIgnifed by free labor. General
Sherman has thus taken the lead in the
new field Of craftsmanship. He has begun
work which will be prosecuted until all
the labor of the land is freed and paid Ia
Dor. With no sentimental or mawkish
abolition philanthropy, he has, by right
good common sense, cut the gordian-knot
and opened up way to dispose of the
freedmen.