Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-12-22

spent one day, IN Charleston, S. Co. two days. and in
Savannah and Augusta, On, each one day Both in
travelling and whilst stopping, | saw much and con.
versed freely with the citizens of those sates os Won
rs with officers Of the army who had been Stationed
among them The following nre the conclusions come
to by met
am satisfied that the mass OF thinking men or tho
South accept the present situation Of affairs in GOOD
faith The questions which have hitherto divided tho
sentiments Of the people of the two sections-slayery
and state rights, and the right of state TO secede
from the Unon-they regard ms having been settled
forever by the highest ribunal-arms-th men can
resort to- | was pleased to learn from leading men
whom met, that they not only accepted the decision
arrived at MS final but believe, now that the smoke Of
battle has cleared away and time has been given for
reflection, that this decision has been fortunate one
Tor the whole country, they receiving the like benefits
from it, with those who opposed them on the field and
in council. Four years OF war; during which the laws
were executed only ut the point of the bayOnet
throughout the States in rebel Hon, have left the peo
pie possibly In condition MOTTO yield that ready obe
dence to civil authority the American people have
generally been in the habit Of Welding. This would
render the presence Of small garrisons throughout
these States necessary until such time as labor re-
turns to its proper channe and civil authoryis fully
established. | did not meet any one, either among
those holding places under the government. or citi-
of Southern States, who thought it practicable
to withdraw the military from the South. At present
whites and blacks mutually, require the protection
of the general government. There is such universal
acquiescence in the authority Of the general govern
ment throughout the portions Of the country visited
by me, that tlernere presence OF military force,
without regard to numbers, is sufficient TO maintain
order The good of the country requires thata force
be kept in the interior, where there many freed
men. Elsewhere in the Southern States than ut the
forts upon the sea coast, no force is necessary.
They should all be white troops The reasons for
this are obvious, without mentioning many Of them.
The presence of black troops lltey slaves, demora-
ICES labor both by their advice and by furnishing in
their camps resort for the freedmen for long dis
tances around. White troops generally excite no OPP
position, and therefore n small number Of them can
MAINTAIN order in given district Coored troops
must be kept in bodies sufficient to defend themselves.
III IS not the thinking who would do violence to-
wards any class of troops, sent among them by the
general government but the ignorant in some pnces
might, and the late slave too, who might be imbue1
with the idea that the property Of his late master
should by right belong to him, ut least should have
protection from the colored soldier There is dan
ger of a collision being brought on by such causes.
My observations lead me to the conclusion that the
citizens Of the southern states are anxious to return
to sell government within the Union posi-
BILE; that whilst reoonsructng they want and require
protection from the governments and they think it is
required by the government and Is not humiating to
them as citizens; and that if such course point
ed out they would pursue it IN good faith. Ii is to be
regretted that there cannot be greater commngling
at this time, between the citizens Of the two sections
and particularly Of those entrusted with the law
king power.
did not give the operations of the freedmen's bu-
that attention would have done. il more time
had been at my disposal Conversations, however on
led me to think that in states its affairs have
been conducted with good judgment and economy
and that the belief widely spreadamong the freedmen
OF the southern states that the lands Of their former
owners will Mt least in part, be divided among them
has come from agents Of the bureau. This belief il
seriously interfering with the willingness of the freed
men to make contracts for the coming year. In somt
form, the ireedmens bureau is absolute necessity
until civil law is established and enforced, securing tC
freedmen their rights and fun protection. AT present
however, it is Independent of the military establish
ment of the country and seems to be operated by th
different agents OF the bureau according to their fui
vidual notions. Gen. Howard the able head of thu
bureau, made friends everywhere by the just and fa
instructions and advice he gave, but the complaint il
South Carolina was that when he left they went OF
before.
Mnav, perhaps the majority of the agents of tn
reedmens bureau, advise the freedmen that by thei
ewn industry they must live. To this end they en-
| deavor to secure employment for them, and to Sc
both contracting parties comply with their engage
| ments In some cases, | am sorry to say the freed
mems minds do not seem to be disabused of the de
that the freedman has the right to live without car
provision for the future. The effect of belief i
the division of lands is idleness and accumulation
camps, towns and cities. In such cases l think
will be found that vice and disease will tend to tn
determination great destruction Of the colored
1t cannot be expected that opinions held by men a
the South for years, can be changed in day, an
therefore the freedmen require, for few years, nc
only laws to protect them, but the fostering
those who will give them good counsel, and on whor
they can rely The ireedmen's bureau being separa
ted from the military establishment of the countr,
| requires all the expense of separate organization
One does not necessarily know what the other is do
ing, or what orders they acting under. 1t seen
to me this could be corrected by regarding every of
Ger on duty with troops in the southern states
agents OF the reedmen's bureau, and then have q
orders from the head of the bureau sent through II
department commanders. This would create re
| possibility that would create uniformity OF actiC
throughout the South would insure the orders and il
structions from the head of the bureau being carrie
out, and would retire from duty and pay large
Der of the employees Of the government. | have Il
honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servan
[. 5. GRANT, Lieutenant General.