The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-10-10
JTOBER 10. 1865. FOURTEENTH
appreciate your freedom, and have grossly

appreciate your ireeoomJ ana nave grossly
abused il.
Become respectful, obedient and honest TO
your employers, and you will find them 6rst in
paving the way for your future welfare. To
become q prosperous and intelligent people,
many Of you will have to pursue far different
course from that of the past four mouths OF your
freedom. Il is true that some have realized the
responsibilities that freedom has brought upon
them, and have been faithfSy u obedieut to
their employers. But manysuTA you hare be-
come impudent, lazy and disrespectfal to those
to whom you must look for your support
Many are idling add loa 6ng away their time
around towns and camps, while their families arc
suffering for food and clothing, and many with
out shelter. You alone are accountable for tho
sad fate that awaits you.
Since came among you have learned the
fact that as q people you have very little regard
for the truth In fact, have lost all confidence
in your veracity, aud know not when or whom
to believe. I fnd that you arc disposed to utter
falsehoods when the truth would answer your.
purpose far better d.
Hereafter those coming to me for the purpose
OF getting justice in cases between themselves
and employers, must come with the truth; If NOT
they must not expect me to assist them 10 their
difficulties. Such lies as you tell are not only
impositions upon me, but upon the public, and
must be stopped. ,
| have ascertaiued that many of you object to
the system of written contracts. This is another
evidence of your ignorance Of freedom. Writ
ten contracts are the only safeguards to free
labor 1t is simply the binding of two or more
parties to fulfill voluntary agreement or agree
ments between themselves aud employers
These contracts are in no way connected with
slavery, but system adopted by free labor every
where. BY making contracts in writing you
bind yourselves to DO certain labor; the same
contract obligates your employer to pay you for
that labor. A contract is the proof of your
agreement, and / advise that you make all
agreements in writing, fulfill them to the lettsr
and the laws will ever see that you have your
rights. For another year adopt this system, and
by complying with your agreement you will
have no trouble in collecting your just dues.
1t has been reported to me that in some por-.
tons of this DISTRICT, Freedmen are holding
secret meetings. This is against the laws, and
must be prevented and any persons holding or
in such meetings will be arrested
and punished most severely. What the objects
of these meetings are know not, but no good
can arise from them, but much harm.
/ also wish to caution you against one other
is as regards your right to vote.
You have other and more important matters TO
attend to now. Never agitate this question, but =.
leave it for others to settle: In order to vote
man should be educated. You are not. Had
you that right in your present situation, it would
be curse to you-you would be as so many
tools in the hands of bad men and politicians.
So dream not, talk not of things that at this
time ~oud be to your disadvantage and to your
injury.
In conclusion, let me say that this Circular is
60 4,
Live and govern yourselves by it, and ere six
months you will thank me for the advice and.
instruction contained 10 10. You must do for
yourselves, or l can do bus little for you. The
opportunity is now offered you of becoming
great and prosperous people. In order to ac-
,omplisd this you must labor, live honestly, up
rightly and in the fear Of GoD
JOHN q. BARNETT,
Capt. and Asst. Supt. +. VI. B.