utes for their own people the negroes
thus brought within their reach. Many have already been
obtained in Virginia, and should the fortunes of war expose
more of her territory the enemy will gain a large accession
of strength. His progress will thus add to his numbers, and
at the same time destroy slavery in a manner most pernicious
to the welfare of our people. Their negroes will be used to
hold them in subjection, leaving the remaining force of the
enemy free to extend his conquest.

"Whatever may be the effect of our employing negro troops it
can not be as mischievous as this. If it end in subverting
slavery it will be accomplished by ourselves, and we can
devise the means of alleviating the evil consequences to
both races. I think, therefore, we must decide whether
slavery shall be extinguished by our enemies and the slaves
be used against us, or use them ourselves at the risk of the
effects which may be produced upon our social institutions.
My own opinion is that we should employ them without delay.
I believe that, with proper regulations, they can be made
effective soldiers. They possess the physical qualifications
in an eminent degree. Long habits of obedience and
subordination, coupled with that moral influence which in
our country the white man possesses over the black, furnish
the best foundation for that discipline which is the surest
guarantee of military efficiency. Our chief aim should be to
secure their fidelity. There have been formidable armies
composed of men having no interests in the country for which
they fought beyond their pay or the hope of plunder. But it
is certain that the best foundation upon which the fidelity
of an army can rest, especially in a service which imposes
peculiar hardships and privations, is the personal interest
of the soldier in the issue of the contest. Such an interest
we can give our negroes by granting immediate freedom to all
who enlist, and freedom at the end of the war to the
families of those who discharge their duties faithfully,
whether they survive or not, together with the privilege of
residing at the south.

"To this might be added a bounty for faithful service. We
should not expect slaves to fight for prospective freedom
when they can secure it at once by going to t