Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-09-08
FROM FLoRIpA.

FROM FLORIDA.
The feeling of the PeopIe-sIavery con-
sidered dead-PeopIe trying to forget
the war.
New YoRK, August 30 The Trib,ae's
letter from Jacksonville, Florida, says the
inhabitants are much bewildered at the stu
alton in which they found themselves. In
the work of political regeneration many are
progressing hopefully. State sovereignty is
abandoned. Secession and notification are
an idiot. OGgarchists are enemies of man.
kind. Yankees are not to be trespa,,sed un-
on. They want no more rebellion. Can
whip France and England together. Slav-
cry, by the name at least is gone. They
speak OF those niggers who were their
slaves. Occasionally they call the rebellion
by that name, and speak of the United
States Government as ''our government. -
There is reason to expect that wise states
manship firm military rule, patience, time
and proper instruction win rebuild the
Southern States, and make their latter glory
exceed their former. Considering the be-
wildenng agitation the people of Florida
have suffered, they have borne themselves
quietly, submissiyely and well. They have
been anxious to know the viii of the Gov
ernment that they might do it. They have
been above the spitefulness and malicious
ness which have disgraced the Virginians
We hear of no plots or combinations to em-
barrass, or outwit those in command Good
faith, frankness and honesty have characte-
rlzed their conduct Many are often per-
picked, and don't know what to do. but In
all emergencies, the profoundest gard is
shown to the United States.
As to future resistance, | am persuaded
il is not thought of, but before the military
force can be safely Withdrawn aud the for
tunes of Florida committed to civil power,
there is much to be accomplished. The pre-
judice of many shareholders against the en-
plOyment of freedmen must be rooted out
They seem to see in slavery nothing but per-
sonal taste and pleasure, political and social
prosperity, and in its absence, poverty, lone
liness weakness, disgrace and ruin. Already
projects and plans are under discussion for
restoring the substance of slavery, though
another name may have to be given to the
creature in its new garb
One plan is to place, by authority. prices
upon labor without the consent of the labor
er. Another, to give the employer authori-
ty TO use the whip as of old, and to catch
runaways wherever found and another is
for planters to enter into a solemn agree
ment and firmly bind themselves to employ
no hands but their own ex- slaves, and thus
compel the freedmen to stay at their old
homes and labor on such terms as their for
mer masters may prescribe. This desire to
keep the negroes in their former condition
does not proceed from wilful wickedness,
but from education and the organized struct-
ure of Southern life. The work of recon
struction must not be hurried Our only
safety is in moving slow. Now that slavery
is abolished, time should be given the South
ern people to become clothed in their right
minds and to study the spirit of our Consti-
tutions, so as to make of the great sister
hood Of States, homogeneous nation, for
the purpose Of creating sound public opin-
ion. As soon as the hot season is over in
telligent parties, composed of native Florid-
ians, army officers and State officials, inclu-
ding the Governor, will visit different por-
tions of the State and address the people
upon the new and great questions with are
before them
General Foster viii leave nothing undone
which is calculated to solyethe difficulties in
hand. 1t is hoped that Goy. Marvin will be
In no haste to inaugurate a State govern
ment, but give the moral elements time to
make impression upon the masses. If he
proceeds no faster in organizing than the
people do in getting ready to adopt a wise
poncy, MS pain VIII De smooth and pleasant,
and his success certain. There is at present
considerable sickness at the capital, mostly
of billions and ague character The cause
is the hot weather and the surrounding lakes
and swamps. The Governor health is not
good He has done but little business for
some days. Gen. Foster has. gone to St.
Augustine on brief visit to his family.
- At Jacksonville the cotton, tar, rosin, tur-
peutine and lumber business, is on the in
crease. More cotton will probably be ship
ped from that port this season than from
any other in the South The railroad is do
ing large business New buildings are GO
ing up in town, and the people are trying to
forget that we have just passed through
bloody war. Union Leagues are springing
up all over the State, and the people are
just beginning to talk of political matters.
Anti Unionists are very quiet They evi-
IDENTIFY have no heart for public affairs