The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-11-21
. Soldiers Opinion.

| Wnat hOpeful thing 10 an empty sleevel
A Soldiers Opinion.
1t seems that Gen. TARBELL had writer
letter to Gov. Fenton of New York, oh
jecting to "negro suffrage and other cru
dities of fancy politicians up this way
Gov. Fenton requested change of opin
ion. Gen. Tarbell replies, as below, un
der date of Forest, Mississippi, Oct. 10Th
1866. The general is a northern man, a
good fighter for the Union and since the
war, resident Of the south. We publish
the Endorsement of Gov. Fenton as an in.
troductory:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
ALBANY, Oct. %, 1865.
"Brevet Brig. Gen'l jonathan Tarbell,
late Colonel Of the 9lst N. Y. Vols, is
known to me as a highly intelligent, pat
riotic and reliable gentleman. As an Off
Ger, he was gallant and distinguished
His command was thoroughly organized
and disciplined, and served with credit. l
take pleasure in commencing General Tar
bell to the confidence and kind considera-
ton of all with whom he may connect
himself in future business relations.
r. Il. FENroN.
So far from having seen reason to re-
! tract my letter to you, l am more than
confirmed in the assertions there made. l
have been treated with great consideration
by these people, and from first to last have
not heard the first word against the gov
ernment or flag. Though the radicals are
not kindly spoken Of the Union is accept
cd as final and eternal. The Senators and
Representatives in Congress from this
state were old-line Wings, consistent I'm
ion men throughout the war; the two SEN
ators in particular, both threatened by the
secession mobs, both deied the worst
Mr.. Alcorn, especially, was member of
the convention that took Mississippi out
Of the Union, and made speech in that
body, denouncing and defying secession
and it's authors. His life was threatened
in the convention, but ho boldly declared
he could die but once, and never more to
his satisfaction than in the cause of the
Union. 1t seems to me that such men, as
!, matter of policy, as we'll as of principle,
ought to be admitted to seats in the Ma
tional Congress.
Whatever happens, the south will not
inaugurate another civil war, bnt would
rally to the support of the flag, the consti.
tuition, and the government, in obedience
10 the legal authorities, though it is true
that some would take wicked pleasure in
shouldering musket to take part in a wal
Mt the North where its ravages would be
mostly felt.
Negro suffrage is measure of the most
stupendous wildness and humbug of this
or any other age. Mormonism is fitly
compared to the deprneity of the blacks,
lut to these vices, add universal thievins
and lying, ignorance, incapacity, and a to-
tai want of moral or binding obligation
All the talk of politicians about the loya
blacks, and the brare colored soldier
der, is an insult to Truth. The blacks
were loyal to the South, and it is not tru'
that the colorcd troops fought bravely er
e,y ,cherc, or on any occasion. There wa
no rising on the part of the South, thougl
in whole countries and districts, for hun
dre6s of miles, there were no males a
home in fact they were kept in subjec
ton and at work by the ,comen! The,
nowhere in the South voluntarily enlisted
but were seized and enrolled with or with
out consent. They showed signs Of wei
come to our troops-but they were no les
demonstrative to the rebel armies.
l served by the side Of the colorcd troop
before Port Hudson and know their cor
duct was poor burlesque on soldering
as was Gen. Banks complimentary orde
on their bravery and good conduct. Al
- - OAx,oootsr
'cquallty' between white and black sol
diers were keenly resented ~ every Office
and soldier Of the army; but none dare
to speak out. No matter what interests
officers, partizans, politicians and dema
gogues may say, the black soldiers did nc
earn their ratiOns. The Union owes the1
nothing to its supports soldiers. The
, owe debt of gratitude to the govcrnmer
a for maintaining them from idleness an
. starvation.
They have not the integrity, capacity
or education for voters-and will not hay
for generations-as allies for the radical
t they would prove worse than useless, fl
+ they do not possess the faculty or instin'
of combination, and they would disclos
all party secrets to their secession owner
Were Henry Ward Beecher to CON
s down here and own plantation in pc
!. son, we can imagine what, from his vel
known piety and goodness, hewould do ft
II the blacks, both spiritually and pecuniar
e ly; yet after all he would do, thew woul
/ study in religious meeting, of whic
l. they are excessively fond, and in whic
they are inordinately enthusiastic; how
steal his last crumb and his last dime.
Give the blacks the best State in the VI
J. ion, with teams, seed, grain, farming tool
years. supply of all things, and five hui
dred dollars in money each, with go,
D ernment of their own, and they wou
starye to dea'h the second year, and r
lapse into barbarism in half century,
This is no exaggeration. l speak b.
the simple truth, as any impartial ma
may see it for himself. am true frier
! to the negro and to progress. They net
) most, education, both secular and religion
for years and generations-honest and ia
dealing and justice from the whites, b
not the ballot, which would prove a ours
). j. TARBELL.
70 The Roman journals announce that I