Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-09-29
Tvhe condition of the freedmen of the South
ern States has excited the sympathy and

HNhe condition. Of the freedmen of the South
ern States has excited the sympathy and
interest Of their former masters in NO ordina-
nv degree. They feel that, unless some in
duccment to labor and to remain steadfast
to their engagements can be offered them,
there must necessarily be great suffering
among them during the winter seasons. 1t
is problem how this anticipated unpleasant
condition Of the freedmen can be avoided or
averted. They do not seem to believe them
selves free until they have left their old mas
ters to live with new employers, without con-
tracts, or, ifmade, to break them at pleasure,
and swallow with avidity the councils OF
strangers, while the healthy advice Of their
old friends, to keep their faith inviolable and
to fulfill their contracts, even ifnot seeming.
w so advantageous as some new and Turing.
offer, in order to promote their future pros
perity, is almost unheeded. We believe that
nothing can prevent suffering among them
this winter, caused by erroneous impressions
received from new and protested friends
Experience, however, will teach some that
they must follow the example Of the bee and
the ant to be either comfortable or happy in
their new condition. Next to experience,
comes the improvement of the Negroes mental
and moral condition, to render freedom any
thing Of boon to him. The various churches
Of the South, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyte-
rian and Episcopalian, especially, are turn
ing their attention to this subject and exhib-
it, in their desire to amelorate the condition
of the negro, by rendering him more fit to
enjoy the freedom thrust upon him, real phi
lanthropy, which is in directcontrast with the
shallow pretences and heartless schemes of
the abolitionists, whose every step but adds
to his embarrassment by bringing him in
conflict with his real friends, with whom
there should be no conflict They do not
care SO their own plans for self aggran-
dizement are accomplished. To show the
spirit of the Southern people, as expressed by
their churches, we give the report adopted by
the Episcopal convention which lately assem-
bled in Richmond, merely promising that late
Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist conve-
nings have taken somewhat similar action on
the same subject.
''Recognizing the change in the social con-
dition ofthe colored race, the Church Of Vir-
ginia desires to express her continued inter-
est in the welfare-both spiritual and tenn
poral-of the freedmen scattered throughout
the Diocese; therefore
/. "Resolred, That the clergy Of the Do
eese Of Va. pledge themselves to renewed eff
forts in the work of their religions instruc-
ton by preaching, Sunday school efforts, aid
every other available means that may contri-
butte to their moral and religious well-being.
2. "Resolved, That the laity of the Do
cese will cooperate with their pastors, and as
far as practicable, both in the Sunday school
and at home, give particular attention to
their mental as well as religious instruction.
8 ."Resolred, That, as one Of the means
for the accomplishment Of the above purpose,
the establishment Of parochial schools be
recommended.