The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-10-28
POSTAGE.
Freedman Relief Association.

The real practical SOLUTION Of the negro prob
lem in Alneria is being rapidly pushed forward
BY the progress of the war and enterprises co.,
nected with it, in Il way that leaves little room
for speculation. Something to be done, not
merely 10 iheorise about, Is before us. The col
ored people gathered in great numbers at Port
Royal, Newport News, Fortress Monroe and
many other points, give us on moderate scale,
an example of what may be anticipated on a
large scale, when the bulk of the coored popu-
lation of the South shall be free.
II is in this view that peculiar and absorb
ing interest attaches to the results which have
thus far been attained by the American Freed
man s Relief Association. Enough has beeo ac-
compllshed to show the susceptibility of the
African race, and give us specimen Of the eff
feet of granting freedom and imparting instruc-
ton to this long oppressed people. 1t is cheer
ing to learn that the result is all that friends of
the freedmen had anticipated. Those who have
gone as teachers ana missionaries under the au-
spices 81 this Association, describe .le aptness
of those whom they have taught, as IA many
instances peculiar and surprising Making al
lowance fur enthusiasm, there still remains,
of facts that cannot be disputed, enough
to show that the slaves may be made good and
industrious free citizens. More than one hun
dred teachers, most of them from New England,
would not testify uniformly to the conclusion
we have stated, unless it was well founded.
1t was in view of the above facts that we felt
especial interest in the address in reference to
the Freedman's Association, last evening, by
Rev. l.. II. Stone. The statistics presented by
him, some of which we may briefly refer to, are
highly suggestive, and will undoubtedly press
themselves more and more upon the public mind
until their Importance is felt and acknowledged.
Take as an instance the statement, that to-day
there are seven hundred thousand freedmen, of
whom five hundred thousand have gained their
freedom since the first day Of January last AS
Mr.. Stone very well remarked, it would seem as
though nothing more is needed than to allow
this process to continue, to bring the rebellion
speedily to a close.
The only definite reports we have of the condi-
ton Of these hundreds of thousands. coma to us
through the agents of the Relief Association
Amid the rush and hurry of war-like prepare
tlons, tina have made US forget almost everything
else, there have been those who have been stead
lily working, and on scale by no means insig-
ni6cant, to instruct and aid those thus suddenly
thrown upon the benevolence of the Northern
public.
In February 1862, the Relief Association was
organized under the direction of Rev. DR.. Ste
phen Tying of New York. The names of many
of the first men of our nation were associated
with this enterprise. Ii was felt to be a great
missionary work, thrown upon the hands of the
American people. A regular system of paid la.
DOT was adopted, and of careful superintendence
Tor such OF the freedmen desired to place them.
selves under the care OF the Society. Reports
Of agents show that thrift and prosperity charac-
terize those stations and plantations where the
plans of the Association have been carried ont
The contrast between such places and the. o-
calities where the negroes have congregated with
out such aid or instrus tion,is very marked. Th,
schools which have been established, bave beer
especially successful, and the localities wher,
they are lacking as lamentably deficient.
The progress of this enterprise, which NUT.
soon become very widely extended oAe, is on,
of the many remarkable things of this remarks
BILE period Of our history. This plan aim. at
nothing less than to accomplish the elevation o