New-York daily tribune., 1865-12-21


stances actual suffering have resulted from tho
restoration Of property in use as oihces colonies
of freedmen, and hospitals; and much more
will result from the curtailment OF the revenue
Of tho Bureau"
What disposition shall be made OF The Sea
Islands remains unsettled. Under Gen. Sher'
mans well.known order large tracts on the
coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida,
have been colonized by the freedmen IN the
expectation that their title would be made
secure by the Government which had invited
them to occupy and improve those lands But
these also were claimed by their former owners
Gen. Howard went down to see if an arrange
ment could be effected that should protect the
rights of the freedmen, and at the same time
surrender their lands When the blacks heard
of his visit, they gathered in great numbers
OH Edisto Island "The rlmor had already
reached them that l proposed to restore the
lands. and evidences Of dissatisfaction and
sorrow were manifested from every part OF the
assembly, They told him they would never
before, but, if they could rent the lands
they would consent to the surrender Gen.
Howard proposed. With rare magnan-
unity they agreed to leave the whole
matter in his hands. Gen. Howard seems to
have protected as well as he could whatever
rights and interests remained to the freedmen.
1t does not appear that any of these lands have
vet been restored, the planters refusing to
come into any equitable arrangement, ana
G en-. Howard declining to give them possession
without some guarantee for the blacks. lie
recommends the subject to the attention OF
Congress. one House Of which already has before
it bill to secure the rights Of the freedmen to
these lands.
| The Courts established By Gen. Howard, to-
gcther with the Provost Courts throughout the
insurgent States, took cognzanoe OF all cases
affecting the rights of freedmen, and have al
rorled to them the only chance OF justice they
could obtain. Tho experiment OF committing
these eases to civil tribunals which admitted
negro testimony was tried with partial success.
1t is deemed essential that. United States juriS'
diction should continue to extend over the
freedmen, and il is very sensibly suggested tha'
Freedmen's United States Courts should be es'
,ablished for term Of years, to relieve the
blacks from the injustice they will otherwise
suffer arising out Of the ignorance, prejudice
and hostility of a white population that fought
| against Emancipation.
As the results of his experience end wide III
formation, aud especially OF his extended
Journey through the Rebel States, Gen. Howard
presents number Of conclusions. lie has no
doubt that fee labor will prove successful, but
that il may speedily prove successful every
effort must be made by the Government TO es'
tablish confidence between property holder
aud the freedmen. Complaints that tree labor
will not answer in the South are due to injustice,
prejudice, and want of practical knowledge on
the part Of the employer quite as much a' to
the ignorance or suspicion OF the laborer.
That this Bureau, OF some substitute for it,
viii have u be continued, Gen. Howard con-
sidcrs beyond question. AZ least year from
January, 1896, will be required close up the land
divisions and restoration, whatever policy may
be- finally settled by Congress. Gen Towards
second reason We quote III full;
1.-THE Government has set the slaves free aad bound
itself to make that freedom unds pufed tact. Some
guarantee bryOhd any sxisEg ordincHes 90 any STATE
r.dsd - ssnf0i 10 ssclrs tie dlA5l aNd cOHftHs0us pro-
fcfOu Of , and PTOperfy TO hs (rcsfrfR Where eRs'
laion ia constrained nov Is IN the southern States
for the most part from several causes here 10 danger u
the ler beng IN 0drdHo, Of public sentiment 80
tsaf uers ers Is ne hbsrsifyM ~ coasqntness ToHd
BE- Ekfiy 10 resh II Goronmsaf protection 1oald be i'.
E,diatey vi,hdrdpH. =.
Where the RuIeau fails to afford this protection. Il
Is vet means OF expos ny to the Government ana 70
the public OF Injustice and oppression, and In this
way II affords moral check against their commission
II is scarcely necessary to add anything to
that. The remark that ,he best statutes are
likely to be worst executed, because they will
be in advance of public opinion, is pregnant
with sagacty and good sense, and is complete
answer to the argument that We can afford tC
hand over the freedmen to State jurisdiction be
cause codes have been adopted nOminally FOL
their comfort, protection, and security. W.
, know, also that in fact these codes deserve NJ
such eulogy, and that the President has very
lately found himself obliged to direct the Bu
, reau to disregard the provisions of that which
a Mississippi Legislature thought they haC
enacted into law.