Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-12-29

The CONDITION or THE SoUTH-REPoRT Oh
GIN. ScHURz.-Gen. Carl Schurzs official re.
port Of his recent tour through the States OF
South Caroline, Georgia, Alabama, MissIs-
sippi and Louisiana, laid before the Presi-
dent few days ago, and sent to Congress,
has been published. 1t is an elaborate and
interesting document, giving full account
of the condition of the States lately IN re-
belliOn, and of the feeling of the people,
white and black. Its great length precludes
our giving it entire. but the following sum-
mary of his conclusions gives very good
/ general idea Of its contents
81 may sum up all | have said in few words.
/ If nothing were necessary but to restore the
machinery of government in the States lately
in rebellion in point ofform, the movement made
TO that end by the people of the South might be
considered satisfactory. But if it is required
that the Southern people should also accommo-
date themselves to the results ofthe war in point
Of spirit, these movements fall far short of what
must be insisted upon.
! The loyalty of the masses and most of the
leaders Of the Southern people, consists in sub
mission TO necessity. There is, except IN indi-
vidual instances, an entire absence of that na-
tional spirit which forms the basis of true loyal
atty and patriotism.
The emancipation Of the slaves is submitted
too only in so far as chattel slavery in the old
form could not be kept up. But although the
freedman is no longer considered the property of
the individual master, he is considered the slave
Of society, and all independent State legislation
will show the tendency 10 make him such The
ordinances abolishing slavery, passed by the
conventions under the pressure OF circumstances
will not be looked upon as barring the establish
ment of new form Of servltude
Practical attempts on the part Of the South
ern people to deprive the negro of his rights as
a freedman may result in bloody collisions,
and will certainly plunge Southern society into
restless fluctuations and anarchical confusion.
Such evils can be prevented only by continu.
ing the control of the National Government in
the States lately in rebellion until free labor is
fully developed and firmly established, and the
advantages and blessings Of the new order of
things have disclosed themselves This desirable
result will be FASTENED by firm declaration ON
the part of the government that national control
in the South will not cease until such results |
are secured.
Only in this way can that security be estab- |
lshed in the South which will render numerous
immigration possible, and such immigration
would materially aid favorable development of |
things. The solution of the problem will be
very much facilitated by enabling all the loyal
and free labor elements of the South to exercise
a healthy influence upon legislation; it will hard
" be possible TO secure the freedmen against
oppressive class legislation and private persecu-
ton unless he*be endowed with a certain meas
ure Of political power.
As to the future peace and harmony of the
Union, it is of the highest importance that the
people of the States lately in rebellion, be not
permitted to buildup another peculiar institu-
ion whose spirit is in conflict with the funds
mental principles Of our political system: for as
ong as they cherish interests peculiar to them
n pre- erence to those they have in common with
he rest of the American people, their loyalty to
he Union will always be doubtful. -
desire to be understood as not saying that there
re no well meaning men among those who we're /
compromised in the rebellion. They are many.
ut neither their uumber nor their influence Is
trong enough to control the manifest tendency ..
the popular spirit. -l.i
There are good reasons for hope that deter i
,ined policy on the part Of the national gov
rnment will produce innunerabIe and valuable
This consideration counsels lsnity .