Year: 1864

~
has been seized upon as pretext for alarm. We
90 not now speak Of any criticisms by any portion
OF the newspaper press upon this resolution but
we nave reference to the private expressions of ap
prehensiOn which have fallen in our bearing. or
have been communicated to ns 1t is very clear to
u.s. that the resolution Of these Executives of States
does not contemplate the recommendation of the en-
ployment of slaves armed soldiers in the service
II any such meaning were capable from the language
OF the resolution, the Conservative gives assurance
from Gov. Vance, that such an idea is not intended
but that the resolution simply favofs the employ.
ment OF slaves by the consent of the owners on for
tlhcatlons, as cooks, teamsters ambulance drivers
dc. 1t is to be presumed we say. that this assur-
ance isgven by the ".organ from Coz. Vance but
unhapplly, it is too often the case that this paper
while considered to be the Governors organ, so lar
varies in its positions from those otherwise under
stood opinions of his Excellency that one can hard
ly, in all things, regard it as an organ without de-
tracing from the frankness and candor which are
known characteristics of the Governors political as
well as personal intercourse.


But on this-point we do not need to be instructed
by the Conseruatire 1t could not be supposed that
four or five Governors ofStates met IN common con-
sIltation, would make recommendation so indis-
tinct upon so grave and important question. It
is very plain that the Governors have not intended
to touch this question at all in their resolutions





ted himself, or is prepared to commit himself upon
it. as yet, to the public. If the war continues, it
may, probably will, come up for discussion. In the
anticipation of its probable continuance, the State
Legislatures and the National Congress will not
throw away time in study of the question: both as
to its propriety and expediency and as to the ne
cessity Of putting into practice.


The subject of arming our slaves, to some extent,
under certain contingencies and conditions is not
L. I~c~~


ever at first thought it may shock our received
opinions. 1t was question sntedating the war
anticipated by very many, who felt the apprehen-
sion that Northern aggression would ultimately
compel separaton-when national existence might
have to be fought for. And with some of those
who have consistently and nationally followed the
of events, its possible eventuality has never
been lost sight of.


We do not mean to question the opinions of those
who have already formed and expressed them; nor
are we at all prepared to reach the issue in our own
mind at this time. The example Of mankind has
long ago settled the fact, that the employment of
the negro race in toe ranks as soldiers has neither
degradation nor dishonor in it. Further than this,
the most brave loyal and independent nations have
used slaves as soldiers, with great advantage The
fault of the Yankee in his employment of the negro
is that his foreahers fastened the negro upon US as
slave property, and realized immense fortunes in
Iuc OpeI8tOu, 3uU tu6C our present dSS8llantS are
the legitimate descendants of their ancestors in the
enjoyment of these fortunes. That for this and
other considerations both their ancestors and they
while We were of q common government gave guar
antees that we should be protected in the enjoy.
ment of the right Of property in the slaves-which
guarantees, for better security, made part Of
the system of our then common government. New
ertheless they, the present Yankee race and their
less remote ancestors, shamelessly violated their
obligations of faith-annulled and broke the guar
antees, and waged continual hostility on our rights
of property, until they forced us to dissolve
sociation with them, and to form new government
of our own. That since then, they have by artful
dissimulation, fraud and cheatery, as well as by
force gotten possession of numbers of our slaves,
and have begulled some and forced others into their
ranks as soldiers and employed them to fight bat
ties in behalf Of towards who are afraid to fight the
war they advocate and urge. =


And the worst of the Yankee criuinality, the
meanest and basest of their conduct is that they
do not mean the negro to profit by his own labor
and exposure and sacrifice, but they are employing
BY his side races of foreigners who have been
the uncompromsing foe to the negro, and who have
always attacked him wherever they have come in
contact with him; which foreigners are to be the
settlers upon our lands, if their vile invasion is
successful in our overthrow.


These are the sins, crimes-and this the dishonor
of the Yankee, that they steal and rob US Of our
property, which they convert into instruments of
destruction against US without intending to benefit
the agents they employ.


But there was never reproach of any sort in
the employment of the slaves or Helots Of Laconis
On the contrary, when they we're transferred from
the harsh, severe and cruel servitude which they
underwent into the military service they were
elevated their condition was improved they made
safe, faithful, subordinate and brave soldiers. As
light troops they formed the majority Of the Lace