Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-05
NATIONAL COTTON CONVENTION.

OF Trade, a matter tnat mas Deen somewhat
extensively treated of in our columns of late
was considered at length, viz: the necessity that
is recognized of having large crop of cotton
the coming season, whilst at the same time
providing for the destitutio namongst the freed
men. We give in the present issue of the
Commercials these proceedings, with the elab-
crate arguments presented in favor of Govern
ment action in the premises; and we hope that
no time will be lost in doing something effec-
tual in the direction indicated. Mr.. Tobey,
the gentleman, who, in this case on behalf of
the Boston Board of Trade, urges Govern.
ment action, is a well known and public
spirited citizen of Boston, at present mem
Der of the Massachusetts Senate, and one who
in his own sphere as a successful merchant
and capitalist, has demonstrated his practical
good sense in leading off in new enterprises:
whilst he is known-as well-as a staunch
friend Of the freedmen, and one who would
take no step intended to set him back III his
efforts at the improvement Of his condition.
The Boston Post, in giving the proceedings
to which we have alluded says: ''We ask the
attention of orr readers to the proceedings
''of the Board of Trade yesterday, and par
''ticularly to the sensible and practical speech
''of Mr. Tobey. The subject discussed is one
''of great Importance financially, politically,
''and as philanthropic measure. We hope
''pubic interest will be sufficiently awakened
''to secure speedy action, and that course
Twill be followed which will lead to the hui
''mane and profitable results anticipated from
''the adoption of a plan of emigration capable
of effecting what is essential to the welfare of
''the whole country"
And the Boston Adrertiser concludes an
article more at length with the following:
''The National Legislature cannot avoid the
"duty of laying down some general policy as
''to their 1.-THE freedmen'sl permanent con-
edition and the means of making their labor
''effectual for their own support and for the
Financial necessities of the country. Without
undertaking to say that Mr.. Tobey has hit
''upon the best method of doing this, and
"sensible of the grave objections to which the
E'intrustiing of commercial undertakings to a
Government agency is open, we are glad to
''know that this plan will be urged upon the
"attention of the Government, for that fair
consideration which the vast importance of
"the subject so plainly merits
The Importance of this movement in its
possible bearing upon the finances and upon
the general welfare Of the country, is apparent
enough; and if there are those who like the
Chicago Republican question the propriety of
the movement in its bearings upon the rights
and future of the Freedmen, that aspect Of
the question may well be met by an exhibit of
the absolute necessity which exists for govern
ment interference in some way in the direction
indicated. And as timely revelation on this
point, we give below letter from one Of the
Secretaries of the American Missionary Asso-
citation, and which we take from the columns
of the Boston AdcertiSer, addressed to phi
lanthropic citizen of that place, who is now
receiving private contributions to be forwarded
TO the necessitous:
AMERICAN MISSIONARY AssoCIATIoN,l
New YORK, Nov. q. 1863 J
Ny dear Sir,-Yours of the 22d instant was duly
received. and we are rejoiced to learn that you
pensaon' for the BENEFIT of the freedmen of the
South. Let me assure you, that there never was
time when such help was more needed. The follow
ing extracts from a document recently prepared by
of the secretaries of this association will present
the facts which justify the generous efforts you pro-
pose to NAL and call loudly for the benefactios of
the philanthropist and Christian.
From the superintendent of schools from officers
appointed by government and others. alarming re-
ports relative to the condition and prospects of the
immediate action.
The restoration of abandoned and confscated lands
fast rendering hCnseess and homeless and helpless
thousands of these families In one district in Eir-
gina the present superintendent says that probably
fifteen thousand of these people will be turned away
from their homes and left with means of support.
On one plantation farm called Aefetown. because
hundred families. many of them wives and children
or widows and orphans of c0lored soldiers. This
farm is ordered to be cleared.
In another district of Virginia it is estimated by
hose best qualified to know that not less than twenty
thousand persons will be thus made homeless. and
The of schools in that State under the
Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau says. that in
Eastern Virginia at low estimate, the number who
are thus being elected from the farms, which are
being repossessed by late rebel owners, cannot be
less than 10000, and that the great majority of them
will be left not only utterly homeless but without
my possible means OF support Just at the beginning
Of winter. Disease and death have already COM
neneed their work. and dare not trust ourselves
% state the number of those who, it is estimated
must perish before the opening of spring. unless the
bring swift relief.
Like causes are coming into operation in South
Carolina and elsewhere. and thousands upon thou
sands unless government interposes in their behalf
will be driven from their little homes and left by
former owners to perish.
Wishing you great success, am,
Very respectfully. yours; &c.
Finally, that the most discerning and ex-
perienced of the Government agents South
feel the pressing necessity of some stringent
measures to be inaugurated forthwith, is quite
plain from the following peremptory ''order''
not long since issued in North Carolina, and
dated as will be seen from the Capital of that
State. 1t is put forth by Colonel E. Whittlesy,
Assistant Commissioner of Freedmen for North
Carolina:
RALEIGH. n. G., November 10, 1865.
All officers and agents of this Bureau and teachers
Of freedmen will publish widely as possible the
following instructions:
L. In view of the fact that Government aid now
given to the destitute may soon be withdrawn freed
men now living in camps, colonies and towns are
directed to find employment at once by which they
III. Officers and agents of the Bureau will issue no
more ratons to any refugees or freedmen who refuse
situations where they might earn their support
tected vagrant idlers who try to live without any
honest calling will be promptly arrested and pun
shed.
Ill Paupers will as soon as practicable be turned
over to the Wardens of the Poor for support and
ocers and agents will cooperate with such wardens
In providing for the infrm and the helpless. Until
ample provision is made by the civil authorities such
persons will not be forcby removed from the panta
lions where they We're living at the close of the war;
". Orphans and children of parents who have no
honest calling or visible means of support and other
minors, with the consent of their parents, may be
npprenticed to some good trade or occupation in ac
,ordance with the laws of the State applying to white
,hlldren. Every effort will be made to provide in
this way good homes for all minors now dependent
upon the Government that they may not become
Fagrants and paupers.
All this we think makes it plain enough that
The Government mast do something at once
to rescue the South and the nationality itself
from that flood of pauperism and want which
threatens so large portion of the country;
and if already the authority conferred by
Congress on the President and the Freedmen's
Bureau be not sufficient, lei Congress show H.
self equal to the demands of the occasion
as it is-and add to these. No
one need fear that General Howard will go
one step beyond the powers that may be con-
erred upon him as the immediate agent in
arriving out whatever may be determined
lpon, AMI so we hope that measures may be
1t once adopted for the best good of all con-
,erned.
Exor,srrr "E,,.,, mr. PARIS" FOR THE SKry-