Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-03-26

The OPERATION OF GEN. BANKS PAID
LABOR sYsrEM.-Col. G. H. HepwOrth, Of
Gen. Banks staff, formerly Unitarian cler-
gyman in Boston, is now employed in inaugu-
rating the wages system for the slaves in the
exempted districts of Louisiana He fully
approves the measure, and thinks il will work
satisfactorily. In recent private letter Col
Hepworth writes
II started off the other day, think il was
Wednesday, hoping TO get some plantations in
order for the coming season. was compelled
to work hard, first, to prove to the planter
that the O. s., j. E., the Uncle Sam Of US ali
was really in earnest, and would give him no
protection unless he would agree to use their
Slaves as men generally use apprentices. There
must, be no more "bastings," no more 'tright
smart lashings. The experiment must be
tried whether or not the slave will work If he
is honestly paid for bis labor. Then / must
work hard. second, TO show the slave that the
government is his friend, and will see that if
he does his duty faithfully the master shall do
his as well. / found some difficulty in this,
for-and il is all in nutshell here-as one
old back said "Massa lieutenant, when the
coiored man is burnt once, he nebber wants TO
put his finger in the fire agln." Well, after |
had accomplished this, asked somebody what
day of week it was. He answered quietly,
ssSunday, Massa." -Four days had gone and
had taken no note OF them.
While am writing busily at my pine table
an orderly announces "a planter" My head
is at once full of the accounts of "The Chiy-
alry,' and so / grow bashful, for the august
individual will be here in trice. In mo-
ment NV door opens, and a man enters whom
| take to be somebody's servant. With bushy
beard and slovenly appearance generally, how
should mistake him for one of th(se who are
gentlemen by birth and nature He opens
his batteries at once. "I've lost my nlggers,
and | want to get them back He is trying
|. the game Of bluff, so | answer, i'Of course
vow do. SIR, aWell, sir, will you give me
an order for them l cant stop long" he
is evidently secesh, one of those who have no
bells on their plantations because JEFF once
wanted cannon.
ssBefore l give AN order, sir, would hike to
know something of your grievances. Have
YOU signed Gen. Banks paperF "No, SIR,
don't want to sign any papers" "Ihen,
sir. will bid you good morning" This troubles
him little. and he asks to see the paper. de
has already read it, and probably boasted that
he will never put his name to it. So asked
to be excused for few minutes, and leave
him to ruminate. When j come back be
thinks he will sign it. So after he has done
this he asks for his slaves. tell him that II
the slave is willing to go back for the wages
offered. (and this is generally the case) he can
have him by guaranteeing TO treat hlm as any
one has right to treat an apprentice. SO al
ter little buster in which he comes as near
his rebel sentiments as he dares, he leaves.
There are some planters, few, who are
really loyal, and these help all | can. The
government has used their corn and hay, and
[ am glad to use my influence for the restora-
ton OF their properly. So / pass my time
from Now Qrlsal6u:1 RAt6a R0r.e Ax
work will last month or two at least, at the
end of which time hope to be where | can
have brush with the foe. Ny principle is
and by actual experience know it to be true,
give loyal man all you can give known
rebel just nothing but an American flag. II
be won't take it, roll him up in it, and fix the
time for his funeral. We have played war
long enough-let the whole North put its
whole heart in the cause, and there will be no
more delay.