The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-08 00:00:00

UNWILLINGNESS TO WORK.

That there among the negroes a good many consti-
tutionally lazy individuals is certainly true. The pro-
pensity to idleness seems to be rather strongly developed
in the South generally, without being confined to any par-
ticular race. It is also true that the alacrity negroes put
into their work depends in a majority of cases upon certain
combinations of circumstances. It is asserted that the
negroes have a prejudice against working in the cultiva-
tion of cotton, rico, and sugar. Although this prejudice,
probably arising from the fact that the cotton, rice, and
sugar fields remind the former slave of the worst expe-
rience of his past life, exists to some extent, it has not
made the freedmen now on the plantations unwilling to
cultivate such crops as the planters may have seen fit to
raise. A few cases of refusal may have occurred. But
there is another fact of which I have become satisfied in
the course of my observations, and which is of great sig-
nificance. While most of the old slaveholders complain of
the laziness and instability of their negro laborers, most
of the Northern men engaged in planting, with whom I
have come into contact, speak of their negro laborers with
satisfaction ; and these Northern men almost exclusively
devote themselves to the cultivation of cotton. A good
many Southern planters, in view of this fact, expressed to
me their intention to engage Northern men for the mana-
gement of their plantations. This circumstance would
seem to prove that, under certain conditions, the negro
may be expected to work well. There are two
reasons by which it may be explained : —First, that
a Northern man knows from actual experience what
free labor is, and understands its management, which
the late slaveholder, still clinging to the tra-
ditions of the old system, does not ; and, then, that the
negro has more confidence in a Northern man than in his
former master. When a Northern man dicovers among his
laboring force an individual that does not do his duty, his
firsrimpulse is to discharge him, and he acts accordingly.
When a late slaveholder discovers such an individual
among his laborers his first impulse is to whip him, and
he is very apt to suit the act to the impulse. 11l treat-
ment is a doubtful encouragement for free labor, and it
proves more apt to drive those that are still at work away
than to make the plantation attractive to others. But, if
the reasons above stated are sufficient to explain why the
negroes work better for Northern men than for Southern,
it will follow that a general improvement will take place
as soon as the latter fulfil the same conditions ; that is, as
soon as Southern men learn what free labor is, and how
to manage it in accordance with its principles, and as

soon as they succeed in gaining the confidence of 01
colored people.

EXTRAVAGANT NOTIONS.
In many localities I found an impression prevellinit
among the negroes that some groat change was geing_,
take place about Christmas. Feeling uneasy in their Pi",
sent condition, they indulged in the expectation that P
Government intended to make some further provision fel
their future welfare, especially by ordering a distribtlo
of land among them. To
_counteract this expect:l6,l
which had a tendency to interfere seriously with 1';
making of contracts for the next season, it was consider:
necessary to send military officers, and especially agenta
the Freedmen's Bureau, among them, who, by admintg
ing sound advice and spreading correct information, We'
induce them to suit their conduct to their actual circliff,
stances. While in the South I heard of many instal'',
in which this measure had the desired effect, and it is
be expected that the effect was uniformly good whener6
judicious officers were so employed.
Impressions like the above are very apt to spread Sioo
the negroes, for the reason that they ardently desire become freeholders. In the independent possession ``
landed property they see the consummation of their dhill
verance. However mistaken their notions may be in °t!t
respects, it must be admitted that their instinct is cornet
RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO RACES. a
There are whites in the South who profess great to
ness for the negro. Many of them are, no doubt, sins
in what they say. But as to the feelings of the masses
;
is hardly necessary to add anything to what I have slrel;
stated. I have heard it asserted that the negroes
'cherish feelings of hostility to the whites. Taking tit;
a general assertion, I am satisfied that it is incorrect.
negroes do not trust their late masters because they d° no
feel their freedom sufficiently assured. Many of then' Ir:11;
harbor feelings of resentment toward those who novl
treat and persecute them ; but as they practised no reven
after their emancipation for wrongs suffered while t;
slavery, so their present resentments are likely to cel
as soon as the persecution ceases. If the persecution , ,
the denial of their rights as free men continue the re6e/y
meats growing out of them will continue and spread. cd,
negro is constitutionally docile and eminently geol
natured. Instances of the most touching attachreent
freedmen to their old masters and mistresses have colll°li
my notice. To a white man, whom they believed t°o
sincerely their friend, they cling with greater affe':„ero
even than to one of their own race. By some North
speculators their confidence has been sadly abused. Nerd'
o
theless, the trust they place in persons coming from
North, or in any way connected with the Governinen,LPl
most childlike and unbounded. There may be indiviu;
exceptions, but lam sure they are not numerous. 5113.°4
who enjoy their confidence enjoy also their affec'
Centuries of slavery have not been sufficient to male 6;6;
the enemies of the white race. If in the future a feeo
of mutual hostility should develope itself between therm
it will, probably, not be the fault of those who have 8110
such an inexhaustible patience under the most sdr
and trying circumstances.
In some places that I visited I found apprehen,
entertained by whites of impending negro insurrecti°o
Whenever our military commanders found it expeclien
subject the statements made to that effect by vi'llite:or
close investigation they uniformly found them 1111,,,,
ranted by facts. In many instances there were just rent
for supposing that such apprehensions were industrieL
spread for the purpose of serving as an excuse for
prosecution. In the papers annexed to this reportie
will find testimony supporting this statement. The lroi
is easily led ; he is always inclined to follow the ad'ilir'tir
those he trusts. I do, therefore, not consider a negrO 0
surrection probable as long as the freedmen are under oe
direct protection of the Government, and may hope
their grievances redressed without resorting to tho esP..fr
OY
means of self-protection. There would, perhaps, 190
ger of insurrections if the Government should with tr
its protection from them, and if, against an attempt loft
part of the whites to reduco them to something like itoi
former condition, they should find themselves throw.°
syll
upon their own resources. Of this contingency I
speak below.

THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE SITUATION.
The true nature of the difficulties of the situitti°"v
this: The general Government of the Republic l'Is'61;1
proclaiming the emancipation of the slaves, cony:1(0:30i
great social revolution in the South, but has, as yeiv
completed it. Only the negative part of it is accomPlj-„4
The slaves are emancipated in point of form, but "o;
labor has not yet been put in the place of slavery in 13:
of fact. And now, in the midst of this critical peri°"a
transition, the Power which originated the revoluti°T
expected to turn over its whole future development
Power which, from the beginning, was hOStOty
it, and has never yet entered into its spirit, leavloso4
class in whose favor it was made completely without p°oo
to protect itself, and to take an influential part ill Dd
development. The history of the world will be searcioi
in vain for a proceeding similar to this which did 0(4 ja#
either to a rapid and violent reaction or to the most ser
trouble and civil disorder. It cannot be said that the ,
duct of the Southern people since the close of the Ord
exhibited such extraordinary wisdom and self-abner"
as to make them an exception to the rule.

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