The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-02-18
saasllrillG Anipll.
TX. CAxgROs s co., Publishers.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY IS, 1865.
The Freedmen Of Georgia and South
Carolina.

I Carolina.
! The Hartford Press makes an inter-
esting statement in regard to the recent
order Of General Sherman aloting to
I negroes the coast and islands of South
Carolina and Georgia 1t says that
when Mr. Stanton WIS in Savannah,
General sherman invited to a confer
ence twenty of the leading men among
I the negroes, such ss they selected TO
represent them They sent their most
intelligent men, their classleaders,
preachers, some of the large-brained,
shrewd, clear headed men. With this
body of representative men, General
Sherman, in the presence of Mr.. Stan
ton, entered into full conference re-
garding their condition andtheir,wishes.
They fully explained TO him their situ-
alton and their desires They told him
thst their principal want was land. If
they had the assured possession of land
they would support themselves. They
were then asked whether they would
prefer to live by themselves or with
white people. After consultation, they
answered that, for the present, they
would prefer to be by themselves. The
scheme was therefore arranged in most
of its details exactly in accordance
with the wish of the negroes, and with
their practical suggestions.
In connection with this statement
we may mention that on the 2d inst, q
very large meeting of the freedmen Of
Savannah was held in that city. Gem
eral Saxton, the Agent of the Govern
ment was present, and made a speech. |
He read the order Of Gen Sherman in |
reference to the gifts Of lands to the |
colored people of the department, en-
bracing all the islands and abandoned |
rice fields, and said that he was there
by order of the Government to carry
into effect the policy which had therein |
been announced In plain and ia
miliar manner the General proceeded /
to give such din ections and advice as
would enable all who desired to avail 1
themselves Of the bounty of the Coy
ernment to enter at once upon the |
business Of locating where they could /
support themselves and families in |
cemfort and peace by their own indus
try, calling no man master, and with /
none to deprive them of the fruits Of /
their toll
The Republican says.
Gen. Saxton's remarks were listened .
to with the most marked attention. /
Rev. Mr.. French, pastor at Beaufort, S. (
c., followed Gen Saxton III a very aD- /
prOpriate and forcible address. He /
conTasted the condition Of the (
emancipated slaves with that of the /.
Israelites Of old, with this difference /
only, that they were Obliged to journey
forty years In the wilderness before /
they came into possession Of the prom
ised land
While Mr. French was speaking a
negro, unable to repress his feelings,
came forward to Gen SaxtOn, who was
seated at the foot of the altar, grasped
him 10y the hand, and said, for thi t.
five years / have been slave, and /
bless God to see this day.
Mr. French concluded his remarks
with an earnest appeal that all present
should hasten TO place themselves in
positions Of comfort and independence
by occupying the lands allotted to
them, and that they would, By their
industry and good behavior, Justify the
hopes and expectations Of their friends
lie spoke of the successful results of
negro colonization at Beaufort and
other places, and exhorted all TO Join
in the work of making themselves
comfortable homes through the means
which, by the providence of God, had
been opened to him.
There were many fearful eyes in the
while the reverend gen
Jleman was speaking, and a responsive
amen" frequently broke forth from
those who listened for the first time 10
an able exposition Of the changes which
the war had wrought in the life and
Of the slave.
At the conclusion Of Mr. French's ad-
dress, Lieut. Ketchum, OF Gen SaXton's
staff. stated that he was happy to make
the acquaintance of all present, and
that the General had opened an office
in the Farmers and Mechanics Bank,
in Bryan street, where he would be
happy 70 give any information or ad-
vice that might be needed to those who
wished to occupy the lands which the
Government proposed to donate to the