New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-03-21
rmR FREEDMEN OF EAsTRuN
VIRGINIA.
HEADQUARTERS USrrsp STATES Forces,
EASTERN DISTRICT, VIRGINIA.

| oOuouoiutAou VI Tue NOmLuuuuu8 tuo
Department the following statement Of the present con.
dltion and organization Of the coored population in
this district in order that he may signify his approval
or disapprova Of the hitherto adopted by me.
Upon the first Of October last, was appointed by
Major Gen. Butler. Superintendent Of Negro Affairs
for the Fourth District embracing the counties Of
Accomac and Northampton, Va
My duties were to take charge o. protect and assist
the oonrabahds Of this district to aid them in sickness
or distress and to see that their rights freemen
respected.
then, as now. commanded the United States forces
that shore. my duties in that office being, as con
ccyed In addition to the ordinary duties of command
ing officer to that all loyal citizens were protected
in such civil rights as they could properly exercise
while residents Of on insurrectionary district. and
make such regulations for the benefit Of the community
as in ths sbseace of competent civil legislation could
only be made or enforced by military authority
The duties of these two officers coald not come In
conflict. the contrabands having acquired. through
emancipation. all of the rights Of citizens, and being
no more nor less than loyal OF dsya residents Of the
district.
| Upon assuming charge Of this district found la
borious task before system for tho support aud
protection OF the freedmen had been established but
morning ma pefH uOUf tltlT 5ctltl ''~'N
ton Notice had been given by the former Supcrin
tcndent that al freedmen should be obliged to work for
their livelihood but this notice not being enforced by
military authority. had but little result.
| Six thousand mea and women coming from the dark
ness Of Slavery into the broad day OF freedom could
not while their wrongs yet uuforgotten and their
new found rights exaggerated through past depriya
ton know or obey the obligation Of their changed con
dition and hence the women Of the district were still
a, in DAYS OF Slavery wanting in chastity. and The men
living In comparative idlenoss and dishonesty These
moor creatures were only carrying out the lessons
laugh, by Slavery and obeyng the instincts bcsoten by
the past Forced labor has taught them to look upon
d,euess IA the greatest blessing freedom could bring
The denial OF tie right 10 Their 1es ard blood or
TO the earnings of their daily toll, Lad made, TO the.
honesty fiction, and tho rights of property farce
bed which has been outraged by bringing It's huil,
TO the slave block could not in day, recover ITS os'
sanctiiy; nor could marriage relations. Tor years
trampled upon by the law become once more true ana
te,dfst until time had hottel on, the memories and
evil influences Of the past Their past education taught
them to have 10 care for the future and orho present
they ONLY asked the few necessaies that could be o.
tanned by irregular labor and time to indulge their
strong social propenstes, by continuous d!enei' was
ro, long in producing It's resui,;-dshon~iy suffering
and disease.
Upon the other hand the citizens Of this shore, all Of
whom had taken h, oath Of allegiance were Obliged 70
LET their farms lay idle their barns were punderei
incendlarles were not uncommon and they suierea
many persona ind gailes. bitter Split was SPRING
ing UP between the CLASSES which years could not
eradicate and emancipation was charged WIFI results
for which it was rot responsible by this course the
freedmen were not only working TO themselves Their
presen, injury but were running their future.
To organize system which should change and eie'
yate tho moral condition Of the freedmen system 70
be carried ont within the limited remaining period OF
the war. was problem dihcut Of solution and In
VOWED careful consideration ofthe theories prevailing
among those who had for years devoted heN' anu
brain to Tie labor Of elevat!ng the AiFinn race.
MANY claimed that this result could hc obtained by
living with and among them teaching thom by coatset
| and example. admitting them 90 q social equality ana
through miscesena.ien gaining their confidence and
raising their pride.
| II possible that this scheme nigh. be successful
within the narrow limits OF asylum. bat not II ai.
tempted on larger scale II from other reason than
the impossbity Of procuring tie necessary number Of
ph.n,hropi,is prepared from pare and dsinte'es'ed
motive, 20 act az colaborers ia ssch work Lven II
the necessary number could be introduced into h.' DIS
tro,. you'd not feel Inclined to try tie experiment
having found as general rule that such enthusiastic 80
abounilng In beneV6ence aud possessed OF the nooer
attribute, Of human nature lacked tho hard practical
sene nd habits Of systems essential in the proper and
enlightened performance OF the duties they would be
| called upon TO sssunc.
An enthusiast Of this description may influence many
TO espousc Just cause or may carry to successful
ssue principle or an idea. but In larger field when
social problem TO he soyed upon tho true solution
II rhch the des.iuics OF thousands depend men o.
stern, intellectual cast are required.
4 second system proposed was 70 establish upon the
oolscated lands in the district Government farms to
be given 70 the freedmen for cultivation.
objected 10 this system FOX he reason that II en-
ooarnged TO form isolated communities, tho freedmen
would advance but slowly. and upon the close OF the
war would be looked upon with distsust and hostility
by the white citizens Of tie States.
No more certain scheme than a comnGnistic ore o.
this Kind could 10 devised for tie purpose of dividing
instead Of uniting ite interests OF tie two classes ana
loriur trouble in the future for the ireedmentrouble
and persecuton. which would come at time when
they would mainly be obliged TO depend upon them
selves FOR protection. tl
Such system would defeat the great desidcra'um Of
bringing at once together in their new relations the
cmapcpated slave and his former owner experience
nom which the planter might learn the value OF free
labor and both to respect their mutual rights before
tie dawnlng OF peace should leave this task TO essla
tive enactment based upon an experience Of emaneipa
ton. not followed by wise guidance Of those benefited
II is true that many object to tue restoration OF rela
lions Of any find between lie emancipatcd freedmen
and their former owners This objection is not wholly
caused By the desire to take them entirely from without
hut RI t.tn nnlT