Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-02-26

nority, will gloomily accept the blessings
of free government which inevitably
await them:-
There is another class, generally con-
sisting of northern men, who came here
twenty years ago, determined on making
money. These do not have the usual
surplus of children and old people. Their
hands are all able to work and are mostly
men. They, at first, buy the requisite
number of head TO carry on their place
assuring themselves that they are sound
in wind and limb; and then, with an ac.
uteness which is worthy of better cause,
they watch them day BY day. When one
falls sick, he is sold, and stout one sub
stituted. Any exhibition of weakness is
sufficient to bring one to the auction
block. In this way the hands are always
abe-bodied and there is no drag on the
planter, OF bills for the hospital, and 9th
er little inconveniences, which are expe-
rienced on most plantations. This man
is furious when you talk to him of free
labor. He speaks in unmeasured terms
of the aboItionists, and believes that the
presidents proclamation has actually ru-
ined the country. Still, there is no need
of trembling in the presence of these
men; there is more thunder than light
ming in them. Since their souls are SO
absorbed in dollars and cents, it only be-
comes necessary to inaugurate the system
of free labor; and at the end Of the first
season, when the ledger, which is their
only Bible, gives its verdict in favor Of
right and humanity, true TO their instincts,
these financial weather-cocks will turn TO
free labor, and support it so zeaiously.
that you will almost be persuaded they
/ are CuIisilaHh' II 10 bi LO USE ~ IA = NC
with such men. They are more than ad-
amant to all your logic. But show them,
at the end of the year, the five dollar bill
on the right side of the account, and they
jump at it as quickly as the early spring
trout at the Ay,"
In southern Mississippi there are hordes
of poor whites in the lowest depths OF
| ignorance and degradation. A friend oi
Mr.. Hepworth attempted to speak with
some of them upon the subject of reli-
gion;-
after he had talked with number
of stragglers, he entered one Of the low
huts, and began to converse with the an
cient dame. Soon four sons came in, and
Joined in the conversation then the old
man, the patriarch. He was the only
one who made any pretensions to know
anything Of God or duty. My frienC
spoke of the Lord. He told of his suf-
ferings, and at last northumberland i
was he, the dear Son of God, you know
who died that we might live The fam
lily all started. The patriarch alone fail
ed to be startled. Leaning forward, ant
putting his right hand behind his righ
ear to enable him to catch every sound
he cried out,-'Mister did you say
was the Son of God who died p Yes
my friend and he died on the cross
You are sure it was the Son ? Yes
Why F? 'Oh, notbin' only alters tho
it was the old man !! This anecdote
sacrilegious but it 5espeaks degree G
moral depravity and Of woful ignoranc
such as can be found in only two places
in the South and in Central Africa"
When such heathenism among th
whites is possible we need feel no slrpris
at the low state of civilization in whic
. the blacks are found, yet they have {
= least one redeeming trait,--a warm ap
: probation of the blessings of freedom
Our author says
"Of one thing | am sure the slav,
: everywhere have an intense longing
possess their own bodies, and TO COVER
. their own fortunes. No one could ha,
accompanied our forces through Il
Teche without being deeply impresse
: with this fact. They crowded to IL
highway to see US pass; and clappt
their hands, and sang and prayed, as ba
ner after banner, beneath whose folds t
day there are no slaves, went by. The
: expressions are quaint, but full of meat
!" ing. Tank God de day is come
i last 7 said one old man, as he reverent
: raised both hands in benediction over o.
5, boys. / could not help feeling that the
u was no harm in bowing my head, as Il
a white. haired man hoped God woule tai
/ good care of de young MASTER Still
u could not see the use of freedom to o
e so aged and said Uncle, freedom W
. do you no good for you are just on t
u edge of the grave Il knows dat, ma
'e ter; / knows dat we'll enough; but L
nt got my boys; and l bless you all, ks