The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-11
VIR q I N I A /.
Movements Of the Military at
Richmond.
RECEPTIoN OF GENERAL FOSTER.
The State Attorney ON tho Qualillca-
lions Of Voters,
A>C &C., AEC.
Dur Richmond Correspondence.

RECEPTION OF MAJOR GENERAL r. 8. FOSTER.
Major General Robert s. Foster, commanding
division in the Twenty fourth army corps, return
ed to this city last evening from Washington,
where for many weeks past he has been engaged
a. member of the court for the trial of the con-
spiratOrs against the life of the late President
Lincoln. General Foster, who. during the sitting
of the memorable tribunal whose labors have just
closed. was promoted to his present rank, was re-
ceved with ovationary honors fttingly bestowed
in commemoraton of his great services on the left
of the Union lines in the great battles whose results
broke down the rebellion and restored the supre-
macy Of the constitution over all the States alike
Early this morning the United States steamer
Hancox, gaily decorated, and freighted with a
large body of officers representing the Twenty
fourth army corps, proceeded down the James to
City Point, where General Foster was taken on
board, the band playing "Ha to the Chief"
Among the ladies' present were Mrs. Major General
Foster, Mrs. Assistant Adjutant General p. A.
Davis, Mrs. Millward and others. In every re-
spect the welcome was most cordial and latter
ing one. General Foster enlisted in the service as
private. The eloquent speech welcoming him to his
command was made by Gen. Thomas U. Osborne,
and was splcndidly replied to by General foster
In the evening banquet was given at the Spotts-
wood Hotel, which was followed by grand sere-
made. The early hours of the morning found the
party taking leave of their leader and following
the 'swaows in their homeward flight"
AFFAIRS IN SOUTHERN VIRGINIA.
The affairs of that portion of Virginia now con
trolled by the Sixteenth New York heavy artil'
lery, Colonel Joseph J. Morrison commanding, are
in favorable condition, although the unsettled
state of tho population entails great labor on the
officers and men OF the command.
The relative position of capital and labor ap-
pears to be mperectly understood by the inhabit-
ants, both white and black, the change being sud
f1af fall 20 Of hnth HAIR q
obtuse as to prevent the realization thereof The
authority heretofore vested in the employer to
punish the servant by castigation is tenacously
adhered to. while the indoent nature of the blacks
40 long accustomed to dependence on their mas
tiers to provide for them combined with their
crude aud erroneous ideas of freedom. induces
an indifference to labor destructive to the IN
terests Of the country; In order TO comPei them
| TO work, the commanding officer Of each county
now issues ratons only in cases where there Is
the mos. absolute necessity, which results IN
saving to the government vi thousands OF rations
weekly.
accustomed to live the labor Of the slave, show
| no disposition to work, which Colonel Morrison in
| all cases reprehcnds. ondeavorng to shame them
| into industry, and teach them what they greatly
need to lcari-ti,at "a mechanic is natures noble
| man." in contradistincton to their absurd notions
| OF cLvalry, which teach that labor is degrading
THE FEELING
| towards our noble and nug'ianm0us government
| is not that which we entertain They speak OF
| yielding to circumstances beng overp0w-
| ered." &C.. but very little regret is mani
Tested for the great crime they have been guilty
Of and the main reason for taking the oath IL the
desire to save property. The real respect for It ia
hard to fathom; but in many cases u ia looked
upon a. a mere form. The distinctive line drawn
between the higher and lower classes is very
marked, and exhibits gross intolerance for the
latter painful to behold. The system Of educa-
tion has been such to prevent the man of limited
means having his children Instructed, while MS
.h..Ea
instituCiOn, more devoted to superficial accom-
| plishments than to sod knowledge.
THE NE0ROES
| wander about and continually apply for trans
portatOn, which almost invariably refused; but
| IN some Cases, where they have been run further
south by their masters, aud wish to return to their
families, it IN granted. As thorc are no justices OF
| the peace in commission al complaints are LAID
before the provost ma rsnals and in many instances
| the most trivial create the greatest annoyance.
| 1he future policy Of the government being unde-
| Hned, the inhabitants, especially those VINO come
| under the exceptions in the amnesty proclama-
| ton, are in trouble to understand their position.
| NORTHERN MEN
| are coming in some numbers, examining the land
| with a view TO purchase; but no transfer Of prop
| cry be made until civil authority resumes It's
| sway. Legal papers are not valid without being
| stamped, althoug h contracts are made, receipts
| gwen, whiskey distilled and tobacco manufactured
without yielding cent OF revenue, while the gov
eminent is supporting the whole OF the panper po-
| puiation and relieving the citizens of all expense.
| THE INTRObUCTioN OF POLITICS
| at present would be fiausht with evil in most
| cases those candidates who were most active in
! fomenting and encouraging the rebellion would
the largest number OF suiiragcs, and in one
| case a man has offered himself as candidate for
sheriff, claiming the votes oil the people rs u re-
ward for serving tor four years in the rebel army
| while those who remained at home are the most
| bitter in their animosty against the national gov
| eminent. Even clergymen, when offered religious
tracts and papers from the United States Army
chapans, decline to distribute them, as their con-
| gregatons would be offended IL is difficult to
decide what course to pursue with clergymen who
decline taking the oath, yet who pray for the
| President OF the United States. The closing of
their churches would deprive many who had taken
| the oath from enjoying the worship of God, while
il 10 not equitable TO prevent men from pursuing
the various avocstons of industry without cer-
tifcate and allow these men to enjoy salary and
| not subscribe TO IL.
| RICHMOND, Va. July ga. NJ.