Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-20
Free Labor and EmiGrariOu to Florida.

free;
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. u, 1862
GENTLEMEN: I embrace the earliest op-
portunity afforded me Of replying to your
letter of the ID inst, requesting me to pre-
sent to your board my views in relation to
the freedmen Of and from the rebel States.
Several plans for improving the condition
Of this people are now before the country.
Three Of these have received some atten-
ton, and are perhaps the only ones among
many proposed in whick either you or the
| public would feel sufficient interest to war
rant their examination. These three are /:
1st The deportation Of the freedmen,
and their colonization in countries beyond
the limits of the United States.
3D. Their colonization somewhere be-
tween the limits of the United States upon
land set apart for their exclusive occu-
pancy.
3D. Their continued residence in this
country in the condition Of freedmen, de-
pending upon their own efforts and re-
sources, aud seeking employment where
it may be best obtained.
The plan first named does not require
discussion. The negroes do not wish to
leave the country, and no one proposes
compulsory deportation. 1t is useless,
therefore, to talk about the economy, ex-
pediency, or probable results Of this
method.
The second plan scarcely merits q more
extended notice. These freedmen are not
now, and for years viii not be in q cOndi-
ton to constitute exclusive colonies with
any but the saddest prospects. To place
them by themselves, removed from the su-
pervision and direction of the white man,
wonld be to consign them TO dis. ter and
ruin, and the land devoted to their use to
barrenness and desolation. In a few
years, under the tuition Of kind employers,
and through the encouragement Of free
labor and wages, they will undoubtedly
become much better able than they now are
to organise and sustain society and gov
ernment exclusively their own.
The third plan is the one to which the
freedman must look for whatever hope of
improvement or of prosperity he may
cherish. But even in this the welfare of
the country as well as that of the freed
man demands the energetic action Of all
true patriots Not that we would recon-
mend any direct control Of the negroes,
but only such control of circumstances and
events surrounding them as shall necessar-
lily affect and improve their condition. 1t
is not enough for US to put an end to the
rebellion and to Slavery by military force.
The freedmen Of the rebel States would in
that case be left IN absolute dependence
upon those who have been taught that I" a
negro has no rights which white men are
bound to respect"
The poor whites Of course, would not
witness with Indifference the competition
of negroes against themselves in the mar
ket Of labor. = CompetftioR would SOON be-
come conflict. The protection of the mas
ter over his negro property, which has so
often shielded the slave from the violence
Of the poor whitelman, would no longer
exist. To deprive the negro ofthis proteo-
ton, and to leave him defenceless, in con-
tact with a race whose interests conflict
with his at every paint, and who cherish
neither respect for his rights nor regard
for his life, is neither a friendly nor
Christian act. I'M that condition certain
destruction awaits him. What can he do
If he Zee for his life 10 3 northern latitude,
his extinction, though less speedy, will not
be less certain. Even if friendly well
come should be extended to him by the peo-
pie Of the North, "a supposition very i'm
probable), still he must yield to inexorable
destiny. The last census shows the num-
ber- Of free negroes annually diminishing
in several Of these States. For this fact
no human legislation is responsible, and
for this result it can provide no remedy.
How, then, is it possible to make this
! neR ipheritanceI Of, the uPgTof the 0wper-
ship of himself benefit instead Of ourse2
Our answer is, by bringing him under the
| friendly Guidance Of race superior to
himself. upon the soil where his labor is
most productive. This can only be done
| by infusing into those regions now rebel
lious, sufficient just and loyal blood to re-
store and preserve harmony there, and to
encourage labor by suitable rewards. Such
/ q population can readily be furnished from
the Northern States and from Europe, Sc
curing to the rebel States permanent 10y
atty and perpetual harmony, with mental,
moral and material prosperity, such as they
have never known or conceived to be pos
sible.
To illustrate by example The proclama-
| ton Of the Presidcntiwill hberate on the
lst day Of January next g., 900 slaves in
the State Of Florida. They are without
land, without money, and without any
means Of subsistence, except such as may
be furnished them By the very men who will
believe they have been robbed of their SER
vices. What encouragement will such
men give their industry mere than they
have given it heretofore2 They will give
less rather than greater. Intense hostility
tathe friends Of the negro in the North or
in the Union army viii extend 10 the negro
himself, and the pay for his services, if en-
ployed at all, will be merely the means Of
subsistence. Such freedom would be sad
dispensation, indeed doleful legacy.
Is it possible to prevent these disasters
II 10 EfUt UrtJ -PUssI5Iei Out easy to prevent
them, and putt in their place progress and
prosperity for thefreedmsn.
Let twenty thousand loyal men from the
| Northern States be induced to make their
homes in Florida, and the aspect Of the case
is entirely changed. SRch a population
would employ the freed men. at fair wages.
With Yankee skill and enterprise viii come
corresponding thrift, which can afford
liberal sompeAsation for their services
Double the number Of negroes now in Flor
ids could be thus employed; and in 3 few
/ years, many times the present number
/ The negroes now idle within the lines Of
our army, becoming daily more worthless
from the daily lesson that freedom is indo-
leDee, could all be sent to Florida and pro
fta5ly employed-proftably for them
selves, for their employers, and for the
country. By tuition and discipline Of this
kind under the stimulus Of free labor and
its attending agencies, the negro would
have chance to vindicate his manhood,
and his capacity. for progress to attain to
all the Development Of which he Is capable,
and to secure all the rights to which he is
entitled.
The same method would apply equally
we'll to the other rebel States. This plan
/ is BY no means difficult Of accomplishment.