The New York Times reprinted an editorial from the London News, arguing that the solution to the fate of the freed slaves was to employ them as soldiers and in industry, not to colonize them to Africa.
From the London News.The Negro Question in America.
In the war of 1813, as our readers know, the Louisiana negroes and mulattoes fought well, and were complimented by Gen. JACKSON, Fortified by this precedent, and justified by the position of the people concerned, Gen. BUTLER has invited into his force all the men of color, in the state militia or out of it, who are willing to serve under the title of Native Guards. This proceeding in the Southwest, and the enrollment of the same class in the military force of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, may perhaps give Mr. LINCOLN courage to do what is reasonable with the depressed race now rising into the position of umpire of the war.
Everywhere these people are wanted. From Chicago, which advertises for “help” of all kinds, on any terms, through the drain caused by the war, down to the shores of the Gulf, where lands are lapsing into waste, and the slaves are betaking themselves to the woods on the Federal lines, a negro civil and domestic service, and a negro soldiery under white officers, are in extreme demand. There is no way in which slave insurrections can be so certainly and naturally precluded as by the organization of a negro soldiery on the one hand, and an industrial service of free negroes on the other.
To this resource the Government must come; and it is mere folly and wickedness to potter about a little emigration scheme at such a time, and to leave the Cotton States to the chances of a revolt of slaves when there is a fair security against the worst dangers, and an inexhaustible replenishment of strength to be had, by treating the negroes and mulattoes in the one way which has always succeeded precisely to the extent in which it has been fairly tried. It may be possible to make demons or brutes of a good many of these five millions of Americans by foul treatment; and it is certainly practicable to make them, by justice and mercy, loyal and helpful. The one thing which is not possible is to get rid of them by emigration; and the sooner the Government leaves off talking about what it cannot effect, the better for its dignity, and for its reputation for sincerity.