Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-02-27
Work and Wages.

We see in some OF the rehgious paper
very solemn but very unjust denuncia
lions of Gen. Banks arrangements fo
.etting the negroes at work in New Or
hans and vicinity. The whole matter
Il msrepresented. The caviliers wholly
;onore the fact that in the districts where
Cen. Banks is making these arrange
ments, the slaves are still legally held ii
slavery under the exempting clauses o
the Presidents proclamation Genera
Banks has no power to free the slaves
Here, and the planters complain, moi
without a show of reason, that it is an
outrage to compel them to pay wages to
their own slaves. Still they are wise
enough to see for the present that this is
he best thing they can do since the civil
Is suspended, and the army is expressly
forbidden by act of Congress TO inter
FIRE for the return of fugitive slaves TO
heir masters. Such being the facts in
the case, Banks had little choice in the
PREMISES; he must either spend the mo-
ney of the government in support of
thousands of abe-bodied negroes in idle
hess, or induce them to work. He pro-
cures the offer of wages for them, and
threatens those who will not work for
wages with compulsory employment on
the government works. IF they were
free he might force them into the gov
ernment service as soldiers, as General
Hunter is doing. Those who praise
Hunter and denounce Banks do not APP
bear to understand that both are acting
on substantially the same principle.
The system OF work and wages must,
however, be enforced everywhere at the
South, as the territory is reclaimed, I'M
less we would see the whole population.
white and black, perish together. That
would be making q desolation and cal
ling it peace. Aud the general govern
ment cannot safely attempt to shirk the
responsibility in this matter. Work and
wages will keep the negroes where they
are, and prevent them from coming up
north to perish miserably, like the thou
Bands at Cairo, Corinth and elsewhere at
the west and work and wages, not
merely recommended as in the Presi-
dents proclamation, but enforced BY the
military arm, will prevent great social
revolution, which the government has
undertaken from proving disastrous to
all conce rned. Nor will the masters
generally resist when they arc made to
understand that there is no escape from
the necessity. An incident related by
correspondent of the St. Louis Demo
erat, which occurred near Memphis.
very aptly illustrates the whole matter.
Ut is this
On the morning Of the first Of January
the planter was surprised by the noise of
cheering and other uproarious demon
strations before his door, ard on going
forth to see what it meant, was slill
more surprised to find his negroes drawn
up in body, with bundles on their
backs, and everything indicating that
they were about to take their departure.
A few words explained the situation
The negroes had concluded to avail
of the liberty which they
supposed had been given them by Mr..
Linkum, but as they felt grateful for
past kind treatment, they thought before
they left that they would stop and bid
'massa' good-by. This unmistakable in
dcation Of independence brought things
to crisis. The master was not prepar-
ed to lose his slaves, and the slaves bad
no personal dislike to the master. 1t
was, therefore, not difficult for all parties
to come to an understanding when the
disposition for mutual concession exist
ed. The master agreed to pay the ne
groes wages for their labor, and the ne
groes agreed to stay and work for wa
ges-and so the thing was settled.
ca The copperheads of Indiana do
I. L l. : IL r