Year: 1861

On publishing the report OF the secretary


of war, we dscredited the report that the


president had objected to that part OF it relat


inc to s'contrabands" and insisted on a revis


ion. We had received from the war depart


ment by mail printed copy of the report


with permission to use it on receiving notice


that the presidents message had been deliv-


cred to congress We have received no other


communication in regard to the matter, either
from the war department or from any other


source. The document was printed IN l HE


SPY lust as we received it. Il appears, how


ever, that the president did revise the closing


portion of the report, SO as TO make what Mr.


Cameron said of slavery read as tollows:--


at is already grave questions what shall
be done with those slaves who are abandoned
by their owners in the advance of our troops
into southern territory, as at Beaufort district,
in South Carolina. The number left within
our control at that point is very considerable
and similar cases will probably occur. What
shall be done with them! Can we afford to
send them forward TO their masters, to be by
them armed against us, or used in producing
supplies to be maintain the rebellion? Their
labor may be useful To us withheld from the
enemy, it lessons his military resources, and
Withholding them has no tendency to induce
the horrors of inSurrecton, even i'll the rebel
communities. They constitute II military
resource, and being such, that they should
not be turned over 10 the enemy is too plain 10
discuss. Why deprive him Of supplies by
blockade and voluntarily give him men To
produce supplies The disposition TO be
made of the slaves of rebels, after the close
of the war, can be safely leit TO the wisdom
and patriotism OF congress. The representa-.
tives of the people will unquestionabIy secure
to the loyal Shareholders every right to which
they are entitled under the constitution OF the
country"


In our Judgment there is no important diff
ference between this version OF Mr.. Cameron'S
views and that which we printed. 1t is brief
err makes less discussion, and has less explain
ation, but it is substantially the same. The
fact that the report has been revised vii occa.
sion more discussion in and out of congress
than could have been raised, even if the first
edition OF Mr. Can'eron's report had been CON
siderably more ladical on the slavery ques-
ton. In reviewing the report, the president
was moved by am honest desire to prevent
what seemed to him an injurious discussion.
His thoughts and feeling on this s"bject are
influenced by his extreme caution. Moreover
the whole weight of responsibility for what is
said and done by the administration must in
the end rest on him. Those who deem him
Over-cautious should consider that he might
have worse fault.


The main difference between the two vei-
sions is that in the first Mr.. Cameron spoke
more definitely of arming such fugitive con-
trabands as may be with the army, should
any military eXigency require it. This may
or may not be signified by that sentence OF the
second version which speaks OF them as ga
military resource" AT first President Lincoln
opposed The eonfscation act. Now he strongly
favors ii, and even shows willingness to gostill
luriher He, like others, feels that progress OF
opinion which the conflict with rebellion makes
inevitable. Two important documenis,-one
from the state department and the other from
the treasury department. will be found among
our Geographic dispatches, both OF which indl
cate progress. Hereafter, slaves that flee to
our armies from rebel masters shall not be sent
back and a good use is TO be made OF the
slaves that flock around the encampment of
our troops at Port Royal. Until now, the ex-
ecutiye has not been prepared to issue such
orders Why should any of us doubt that this
contraband question will take care OF itself!