Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-24
wise Labor and Free Labor in the south.

E4DlE4GEa OF A6AQers
WhiEe Labor and Free Labor in the South.
General Butler has been the most prac-
deal experimenter upon the slavery ques-
tisn Of all our officers. BE first gave to
huRitives to our lines the title of "cOntrs-
bands" by which they secured safety un-
der the Federal hag at Fortress Monroe
AtNeW Orleans the question has been pre-
Ssntsd to him in almost every conceivable
form, each one of which he has met with
the same ssgacity that has marked all of
his course in that rebelliOus city. The re-
suit Of his experience with slaves and
their masters has brought him to the fol-
lowing conclusions:
alst. That labor can be done in Louisi-
ana by whites more economically than by
blacks.
"2nd. That black labor can be as we'll
governed, and made profitable in state Of
freedom as in slavery.
"3d. That while it would have been bet
ter could the emancipation Of the slave
have been gradual, yet it is quite feasible,
even under the present great change as
Government proposition, to organize con-
troll and work the negro with profit and
safety to the white, but that this can best
be done under military supervision"
These are no "fanstical" visionary
schemes, as they would be denominated if
put forth by NOrtherner, but convictions
which the experience of months has forced
upon the ultra Democratic General. The
first Of the above propositions is contrary
to the generally received opinion. It has
become an accepted fact to the people Of the
land that the climate of the South was such
as to render it impossible for the white
man to work in it. General Butler has dis
proved this. During all the heated months
oflast summer he had force Of one thou
Iand white laborers at work in snlarEing
9Th and sediment which was in them
Harder work could not be found nor that
apparently more dangerous to ounaeclimat-
ed persons, and yet these men were as well
and healthy as ever they were in the world.
From this experience it is claimed that the
South, with controlling white population,
would Eli up with cultivated farms, thriv-
ing villages and rich neighborhOOds such
Is 1t has never seen before. If this was
accomplished, it is unquestionsble that
more cotton would be raised than now and
better care taken Of it.
The second proposition has been also
proved during this year. Our readers will
remember the difficulty which presented
itself to General Weitzell, when he report
Cd to General Butler that he had four hun
ared wagon-losds of negroes on his hands.
General Butler offered the planters a con-
tract by which they might have the use of
these negroes at fair wages Many Of
them accepted the proposition, nOtwith-
standing the stipulation that instead of
ths lash, bread and water diet should be
substituted for purposes Of punishment
The agent appointed to superintend the
work, informs General Butler that upon
enc Of the plantations where sugar is be-
ing made by the negroes who had escaped
thsrefrOm into our lines, and have been
sent back under wages, with the same
negroes and the same machinery, by free
lsbor, hogshead and shslf more Of sugar
has been made in day than was ever be-
fore accomplished on the plantation, under
eOereive labor. Colonel shaffer has put
up, to b forwarded to the President, bar
rel Of the frst sugar ever made by free
sIssEs IN Louisiana, and the fact that sugar
can be produced under such circumstances
is certainly one Of profound interest.
The proof Of this proposition also proves
ths third, that the negroes can be easily
end prO6tably controlled, guided and
worked when free.
With al difference to the splendid abili-
siss Of General Banks, we hope that he viii
not supsrsede Butler, as is intimated. cold
Ben is the right man in the right place,
and should stay there, unless it is designed
70 give him larger scope from headquarters,
and let him try upon the whole country
the same system of management that hss
proved 80 successful in Louisiana.