The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1865-05-27
a. A EVANS.
Brigadisr General C Commanding Diyisi
From the N. o. Bee, May 4th

The Confiscation Policy of President
johnson, and the Distribution of the
Large Landed Properties of the South.
The New York World of the 25th has long
editorial article in which it cites copiously Presi
dent Jodnson's recent declarations and his earlier
public speeches and acts, in proof that the two
predominant ideas of his political and social creed
were list, TO prevent the Capitalization of power
I'd, to diffuse, equally as possible. the landed
properties of the country. In illustration of
these facts, the World says:
"The ablest thinkers and reasoners on olr insti-
tutions have held that their success is less depend
ent on our political forms than on our laws regu-
lating the descent and distribution of property
A law of primogeniture, for example, would, in a
few generations, sap the foundation Of Republican
government, by its effects in accumulating prop
erty in comparatively few hands. The freest
government said Mr.. Webster, if it could exist
would not long be acceptable, if the tendency Of
the laws were to create rapid accumulation of
property in few hands, and to render the great
mass of the population dependent and penniless.'
Southern society, by reason Of the institution Of
slavery, has this inequality of property, and its
consequent tendency to supplant republcanism
by oligarchy. 1t is against this tendency that
has the sagacity to discern that golden oppor-
tnnity is now put into his hands to accomplish
the most rooted Of all his political wishes"
The article then proceeds to explain the rea-
sons that are likely to induce the President to
insist firmly on rigorous enforcement of the
confscaton laws:
"Il will, beyond all doubt be the aim Of Presi-
dent johnson to break up and distribute the
large Rpded properties in the South, and create
communities Of small free holders, like those in
the North and West. This object, as we infer
from reiterated declarations in his recent speeches
Mr. johnson purposes to accomplish by yigor
Gus enforcement Of the confscation laws against
the rebel landholders.
"In many parts of the South, nearly all the
land is monopolized by the owners of large es-
tates. We are not aware that there are any sta
tistcs which exhibit the exact state of the case;
but the general fact is easily inferred from things
within everybody Is knowledge. The division of
the great southern estates into small freeholds,
will effect complete social revolution in the
South and this is probably one of the objects
which Mr.. johnson has most at heart, and in
which he will be fnlly supported by the new
Congress which is not yet organized.
This policy Of frig0r in which the new Presi-
dent is not likely to falter, is, no doubt, harsh
and unrelenting. We presume the deceased
short Of the appalling crime which has filled the
whole land with horror, would have brought our
people to aceuiesce in it. But as it cannot now
be successfully resisted. we may as well look at
the philosophy which underlies it, and the good
results that may ultimately follow, instead of
inficting our sensibilities by contemplating only
the suffering that must attend it's execution.
1t is our opinion that the same results might
be substantially accomplished by more merciful
methods. The destruction Of slavery alone would
go far in that direction. The freed negroes will
never consent to work under the severe discipline
which is Indispensable where they are collected
In large gangs on great plantations. This Is one
reason why the plantations will of necessity, be
broken up. Another is the great impoverishment
of their owners by the total loss Of their slave
property, and the immediate Losses consequent on
the war. They would, under any circumstances,
be obliged to SELL and the poverty of buyers
would compel them to sell in small parcels. But
tho execution Of the confscation laws will ac-
complish the revolution at one stroke and Mr..
Johnson's old idea OF giving government lands
to actual settlers, may lead him to ask for an act
of Congress best0wing free homesteads upon the
poor whites and thus causing the loyalty Of the
Southern masses to strike its roots deep into the
soil. yast body Of small andholders, deriving
their title from the Federal government, dating
their prosperity from the re-establshment Of its
authority, and finding their only security in it's
stability, will be strong and solid support to the
Union. II the difficulties Of the new system can
be surmounted, the Union will hereafter be
stronger in the South than any other part of the
country. Viewed from MIR. johnson 8 standpoint
the forfeitures under the confscation laws will
render this sweeping revolution consistent with
the rights Of property. Human kindness relents
at such severity, but rigid law cries ont, ..'tis
Just !" and since il Is inevitable, let us try to
believe that it Is polite. 4 viii, at least, expe-