Year: 1863

what Should be Done with the Rebels


and their Slaves.


General A. J. Hamilton, Of Texas, has
addressed letter to President Lincoln in
reference to the measures adopted for the
suppression OF the rebellion, and the
status which rebels should occupy in the
final adjustment OF affairs. Gen. Hamil-
ton opposes with great vehemence the
proposition made in some quarters, that
the future policy Of the government may
be formed on the ground Of a compromise
with the cause Of the existing rebellion
which shall admit OF the re-establishment
Of slavery IN the States where II had been
abolished by the proclamation Of January
last, and enters into an elaborate argu-
men. to show that the idea that the blacks
are excluded, oy the terms of our consti-
tuition and by inference, from being re-
garded as part Of the people for whom
il is made, cannot be sustained. Upon
this point, he says:


"This would cease 10 be free govern
ment the moment power should be per.
mitted to it TO determine that, because of
difference of race-of color-of physical
inferiori,y or mental development, the
right of citizen could be determined.


"lf, unhappily, such power shall ever
be exercised, it might, and probably would
upon a principle Of impartisi,y, be ap.
piled to all alike. The principle could
no doubt find its advocates, while there
is just as little reason to doubt that some
of them would fall victims to its impair.
tial enforcement.


"If, on accoun! of color, race, or phys
ical or mental inferiority, one class OF
people can be forcibly elected from the
territory Of the government as measure
of policy, or on the plea of necessity (the
tyranis plea the wide world over }, where
will bounds be fixed TO limit its exercise
as often and upon whatever class Of citi-
zens the majority in power may, from time
TO time. desire =?


"Neilher the foreign born nor native
citizens could rest easy under such q
precedent"


As to the proposition that in the final
settlements full pardon shall be granted
to the rebels, Gen. Hamilton says:


at justi6es the rebellion in it's acts
and purposes it asks, in effect, that the
1 government shall become the accuser o
those who. have labored most zealousiy
10 sustain and preserve it. 1t asks the
Government to do more--to descend to
a depth of infamy beyond that reached
by any otner-to admit, in the face oil
Christendom, that the Proclamation oi
Freedom to the slaves was a deliberate
cheat, meant only to dupe for the time
being the an.i.slavery sentiment of the
world, and especially to deceive the ne.
gro. 10 the end that he might be induced
to engage in the contest, the sooner to
force the rebel master to receive him
back, and to acknowledge that be holds
him under the Constitution of the United
States.


The proclamation, says General Ham
ilton, is irrevocable discretion and power
ceased with the act which, in the exer.
else of constitutional power, proclaimed
freedom to the slaves in the States il
embraced. He then proceeds to sh ow
that the restoration of the Union with
slavery is not possible thing; it would
be Union OF discord, hatred and vio-
lence in all the South. and Of constant
strife between the South and North
These positions are enforced by facts
which have now become history; and
General Hamilton closes his able appeal
in the following language


81 know that there are those who,
while they desire the freedom Of the
slaves, are greatly troubled to determine
what should be done with them atterward
And have also observed that most fire.
quen!ly those who know least Of The
slaves Of the South are most anxious il
mind upon the subject. In three word
the proper policy can be stated-Let then
alone.


"There is no rightful power in the Gov
ernment to force them from its territory
besides. il will be found that the late
masters in the South, and others, will
clamor more loudly against their speedy
deportation than they now do against
their freedom.


"They will need, and must have, their
labor no. forced but paid until time and
a change OF population in the South shall
furnish an adequate supply of white la
! ooi' w heu Wis Peiioo aAiNoo ~ 10 noss
probable-nay, it is certain-that the
black race will begin TO desire home
and government exclusively their own.
Then | shall be glad, If living, TO see this
Government extend strong and generous
hand to assist them. If we will to-day
take care Of The rebellion and its cause,
as against domestic and foreign foes, the
question Of the future of the negro will
take care Of itself.


"By your just proclamation you gave
the highest earthly sanction to the wise
and noble policy Of the erfranchisement
of the black man. and by his enrolment
in your armies for the defense OF the
country you have confirmed it to the ben
eft of the nation. You will be urged to
revoke that act. God forbid that you
should listen to such advisers and so rob
yourself OF the gratitude and admiration
OF mankind"


DISTRESSING FAMILY CoINCIDENoE.-The