Kenosha, Wis., June 2, 1862
Editors Chicago Tribune:
Thousands and tens of thousands of men are anxious to aid our army in making intrenchrments, and otherwise; and yet, while every division of the army is suffering, and rendered comparatively inefficient for the want of such help, we will not accept of it. These men will work for their subsistence; and yet we pay others three times as much for the same service.
They are acclimated to the hot climate of the South, and we get unacclimated men, and have steamer load after steamer load of sick crowding all of the hospitals of the country. They are rugged and used to severe toil, and we get clerks and men unaccustomed to exposures like those of camp life.
They are on the ground, and will come themselves where they are needed; we pay millions of dollars to transport others there.
It would be a boon to them to do the work, and we induce others to do it, who make great sacrifices thereby.
All of these men are now at work for the enemy and wish to leave him and work for us; hut we virtually compel them to continue to work for the enemy.
We will weaken the enemy by taking his horses and cattle, but we will not take his slaves, although thereby he would be much more weakened.
We claim that by conscription we can compel any loyal person to serve his country in the army; and yet we dare not accept the services of the slaves of the enemy voluntarily tendered.
The relation of master and slave is the cause of the war; and yet we will not permit that relation to be sundered In any instance where we can prevent it.
Our enemy has another enemy, more numerous than he is; and yet we are so Quixotic that we will not permit him to to be injured by any one except ourselves—no matter what sacrifices of treasure and life it costs us.
Our enemy has continued to practice upon us every cruelty, treachery and barbarity; and yet we decline to use an efficient, appropriate and legitimate defense, fearing lest we should imitate the enemy.
No wonder the slaveholders think we are fit to be ruled, like the poor white trash about them. O, mudsill! how long will you have mud in your brain? O, Democrat ! how long will you cringe to the aristocrat? O, lover of liberty! how long will you consider the claim of the master to his slave, more sacred than all other rights? O, patriot! how many precious lives of, loyal men shall be sacrificed before you will dare assert your rights? Let us not deny our stupidity, our degradation and our moral cowardice. The putrid atmosphere of the slave pen has diseased us all.
Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago, IL