over the subject, and we can
see no good object to be attained by forcing it into the
discussions of Congress and adding it to the causes of dissension
already existing in the country at large.

"A law of last Congress authorized the President to use the
negroes as laborers or _otherwise_, as they can be made most
useful in the work of quelling the rebellion. Under this
authority, it is understood that he has decided to use them in
certain cases as soldiers. Some of them are already employed in
garrisoning Southern forts, on the Mississippi River, which
whites cannot safely occupy on account of the climate. Governor
Sprague has authority to raise negro regiments in Rhode Island,
and has proclaimed his intention to lead them when raised in
person, and Gov. Andrew has received similar authority for the
State of Massachusetts. We see, therefore, not the slightest
necessity for any further legislation on this subject, and hope
Mr. Sumner will consent that Congress may give its attention,
during the short remainder of its session, to topics of pressing
practical importance.

"Whether negroes shall or shall not be employed as soldiers,
seems to us purely a question of expediency, and to be solved
satisfactorily only by experiment. As to our _right_ so to employ
them, it seems absurd to question it for a moment. The most
bigoted and inveterate stickler for the absolute divinity of
slavery in the Southern States would scarcely insist that, as a
matter of right, either constitutional or moral, we could not
employ negroes as soldiers in the army. Whether they are, or are
not, by nature, by law, or by usage, the equals of the white man,
makes not the slightest difference in this respect. Even those at
the North who are so terribly shocked at the prospect of their
being thus employed, confine their objections to grounds of
expediency. They urge:

"1st. That the negroes will not fight. This, if true, is
exclusive against their being used as soldiers. But we see no way
of testing the question except by trying the experiment. It will
take but a very short time and but very few battles to determine
whether they have courage, steadiness, subjection to military
discipline and the other qualities essential to good soldiership
or not. If they have,