T opIC II | tot al Wa r 291the President of the confederate States, that two-thirds of our soldiers, now in the
army, are absentees from its ranks. The Enquirer is a devout upholder of Presi-
dent DAVIS and the Administration. It does not arraign the Government for such
a state of things. It passes ever the gross mismanagement which has produced
them; and cries out, that negroes are wanted to fill the ranks of our armies. The
President... [reiterates] the assertion. They are not wanted. The freemen of the
country are not dependent on slaves for their defence. There are twice as many at
home, as are in the field. Why are they not placed in the service? In our opinion,
it is the fault of the government, and can be rectified. But if it is the fault of the
people, can slaves supply the place of two-thirds of the people, to give the Con-
federate states independence and liberty? It is vain to attempt to blink the truth.
The freemen of the Confederate States, must work out their own redemption, or
they must be the slaves of their own slaves. The statesmanship, which looks to any
other source for success, is contemptible charlitanry. It is worse—it is treachery to
our cause itself. Assert the right in the Confederate Government to emancipate
slaves, and it is stone dead.“Emancipation of Slaves by the Confederate Government,” Charleston Mercury, November 3,
1864, Accessible Archives: The Civil War Collection.pR aCTICIng historical Thinking
Identify: What is the main argument of the Charleston Mercury regarding emanci-
pation?
Analyze: How does this editorial support that argument?
Evaluate: How does this editorial echo older arguments about states’ rights versus
federal powers?document 12.10 ruins of richmond
1865This photograph, taken shortly after the Union occupation of the Confederate capital of
Richmond, Virginia, shows the extent of the damage done to the Confederate infrastruc-
ture by the Union army.13_STA_2012_ch12_275-306.indd 291 31/03/15 4:53 PM