Journal of freedom. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1865-186?, 1865-09-30
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF TIE
COLORED MAN.

South were remarkable 10f their dOC1llty,
and although in some localities. they
largely exceeded the whites In numbers,
they carried the chains of servitude quiet
", and cases of insurrection were rarely
heard of. During the war, many of the
blacks exerted their inherent right to
gain freedom, which right vas legalized
by proclamations and laws originated BY
the Executive and Legislative branches Of
the government. Aside from this, how
ever, they preserved their reputation as
quiet, unobtrusive people, and notwith-
standing the fact that the contest raging
about them was pregnant with impor-
lance to their future, they maintained
the same respect for their duty, al it had
been taught to them, as ever. In short,
while having the themselves
a serious element of disturbance; they
conducted themselves in q name which
should gain for them the name of peace
loving and submissive people.
They have been freed, by no act oftheir
ewn but as the natural sequence of the
rebellious sins of their late masters, who
betray their chagrin at their just punish
ment by pursuing a course towards these
innocent people of yindictiveness and OPP
preston, which .in many instances re-
suits in a system worse than slavery it
self. This remark, we are happy to say,
does not apply to all of the late slave
holders in the community, for few of
them have truly accepted the logic Of
events, and are honestly striving to ac-
commodate themselves to the great
change which has occurred in the social
relations ofthe South. Notwithstanding
this, the negroes continue to. sustain
their claims as peaceable residents. They
have with wonderful rapidity arrived at
a full appreciation of their'n status
There may be exceptions to this state
ment, but they are few and far between,
for the. great majority of the Freedmen
have become se1-sustaining, and are NO
longer an expense to the government
The records of the issuing commissariee
of the Department Of North Carolins,
will show that more whites than blacks
have drawn ~rations during the past tw
months. After generations of Deepen
dence it could hardly be expected of them
that they would Immediately assume the
responsibilities Of self-support and indie
->-e P~0ftieulai4y ~hou tiIvtr
was .suddeRly, almost rude
ly, torn from them. Many of them how
ever, are engaged in lucrative business
pursuits, and sustain the government by
taxes on incomes which show that
they possess managing talent as CONNER
cial men. I'm the vicinity of Newbern in
State and all along the Atlantic
coast there are instances where colored
men conduct and supervise extensive
indicating ability which Ia as ro-
markable as it is unexpected. All things
then, the present condition of
Freedmen warrants the highest
r..
Arguing from the past and present, a
bright future presents itselfte the color
ID men of the United States. The immu-
able laws of right and wrong are adjust
ng themselves rapidly, ard the right is
ar advanced towards predomination.-]
That almost i~ncalculable stride, the re-
ult of the war. e. the downfall of
lavery-wn befollowed by other strides,
slower, but equally SUR in their
accomplishment. By pursuing honest
'vocations, as the majority now do, the
freedmen will increase the respect which
hey have already gained, even from their
nemies, and in the end will be acknowl-
dyed, as they deserve to be, as ona of
he most useful classes Of community
'rejudice will wear away, and equal JUS
ice will be melted out alike to all men.
n short, with q proper use of the strength
f character developed by the Freedmen
their new surroundings, they will
ventually take their proper place in our
arena as men.
God hasten the time.
IL
BRIGAD1ER-GENERAL @. b. FISK, Assis-
mt Commissioner for the Freedmen's
ureau for the State of Tennessee. Alabama