Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-01

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The following extracts which we copy from
the Boston Transcript are from IA letter adj
dressed to a clergy man Of one of the oldest
churches of Boston, by L, l.. Pierce, who has
been appointed by secretary Chase as agentto
look after the South Carolina contrabands He
dates from Port Royal, Jan, 19.h:
There now, according to tie best esti-
mates we can obtain, some eight thousand no
groes within the lines of the forces of the
United States in this region. There has been
no census, and the number may be more or
less. There are about six hundred at the
camp at Port Royal, two hundred OF whom are
women and children. Some FIVE hundred are
at the camp at Beaufort. and Others in greater
or less numbers at other camps. The larger
part are still scattered ON the plantations,
where they are met by the agents Of the gov
eminent IN procuring The cotton. Rev. Mr.
Peck of Roxbnry, Mass, is "A missionary
among them at Beaufort, and, according to
report, is doing good service. lie is the only
clergyman whose specially it is TO promote the
intellectual aud moral culture of these people
Some OF the army chapains have rendered
occasional service, and have manifested anX-
iety tor the welfare OF the contrabands. But
their first duty Is to theiI own regiments and
whatever aid may be derived from them must
be exceptional and irregular, and at best they
could not be long enough with them to enter
into their peculiar feelings, and become mast
of the best modes of addressing them a
few benevolent PERSONS serving here in ether
capacities, propose 10 open a school for teach
ing the younger negroes, which will commence
as soon as a proper building is completed.
But this cannot dispense with tie advantage
of persons specially adapted and devoted to the
work.
These negroes, once slaves, bu such no
more, are no longer under the control OF
master. a strange and chaotic condition of
things prevails. This they understand as yet
but little, or the part which they are now or
may yet be called to take in it. They are
coming in contact with an army, and are ex-
posed 10 injurious associations. If this criti-
cal moment be not awaited Of and some means
not taken to make them Industrious, orderly
and sober, they will become hOpelessly demon
allied, and we, who ought to he their educa
tors, may become their ruin The control OF
tine master being gone, they must be taught to
control themselves. Moral restraint must
take the place of physical force Really, my
dear sir, you must that the heather, to
whom we owe a special duty, greater than
any people ever owed to any other, are nearer
to us than the Gauges.
There are two ways, at least, in which these
people can be reached. Their love Tor their
children, common to all races, and the relig,
iOus element OF their nature, holding large
place i'll a race 50 emotional, must he address
ed, and at Once. Ii we administer to their
spiritual wants and teach their children. they
will that we have come 10 them as the
white man has never come to them before.
Practical duties should be enjoined in the sim.
pest phrases They must he taught that IN
the new condition on which they are entering
they must be industrious, orderly, faithful to
their domestic relations, and yield willingly TO
the military discipline which for the time is
prescribed, showing all the while that they
are fit to be free. a missionary who should
go among them might also be employed in dis
tributing clothing and other things necessary
for their comfort For this service you will
see that there are needed, not merely pietists
or religious exhorters, but persons OF an excel.
lent sense and humanity, and the more talent
and enthusiasm the better, if regulated by a
good understanding, and knowledge of hu-
man nature. The work requires patient hu.
manity, not to be Disguised or discouraged by
ignorance, degradation, personal uncleani
ness, or sOwness OF apprehension, and that
humanity to be supported by devout con
seriousness that these people are by order Of Il
special Providence committed to our charge,
with bodies to be cared for and souls to be
saved
rum Suth ldobAS NfNh BtuluS anu iSdlHlhB
ought not to shrink. A young man, fitted
hereafter TO fill the most conspicuous places in
the church, anxious to serve his country in
this her greatest Of her struggles, and yet by
his profession excluded from bearing arms,
might with profit to himself strengthen and
deveIope his nature in this noble service, and
after il was performed go back to the study of
tue Fathers with a clearer and more inspired
sense Of christian doctrine. He would APP
proach Narer to the Lord in mnistering to
these lowest OF His children, than if he went
a pilgrimage to st. PEERS. Another mpor-
tant suggestion must not be omitted. The
compensation aud support Of such people
should be derived exclusively from private
sources. Compensation IRON the government
il apt to detract from ones efficiency and in
spiration, and in times like this, the example
Of private citizens contributing to the govern
ment instead OF drawing from it a salary of
commissions will be benefcient. Can you
procure one or two such persons, to be ty all
means carefully selected with reference to pc
culiar qualifications, aud procure the contri-
buttons necessary for their supportf Expedi
ton is needed, as the present is Il critical mo-
ment in the condition OF these people, and be
sides this is the season when the climate adj.
mits OF labor without detriment to the health
OF unacclnlated persons.
DOR SALE-At bargain, one business
a. or express Sleigh with three seats stabie for one