The Portland daily press., 1865-06-16
Friday GOrning, June lS, 1866.
The Condition Of officers in South Carolina

The Condition OF officers in South Carolina
Rev. Charles Lowe, Of SomerviIle, Mass.
Missionary Agent of the American Unitarian
Association, has just returned from Charles
ton, $. G. We take the following extracts from
sermon he preached on the 4th inst, and
published in the Christian Register:
THE ELEMENTS OF WHITE SOCIETY.
Let me speak first of those ia civil life
There are in the South few who have, from
the beginning till now, been really loval to the
Union, and by no class OF patriots has there
been shown more noble devotion or more he
roic will.
EBut these loyal men were fewer than any Of
believed.
There is another class of men, some of whom
In the beginning we're opposed to the act OF
secession, but who finally were carried along
with the current, who understand that the
thing Is over, that government is entirely tri-
umphant, and whose only wish now is to have
ordel re-establshed as soon as 1t may. They
take the oath of allegiance with a sincere pur-
pose faithfully to observe il.
regret to say, however, that from my OBJ
servalIon this class also is much smaller than
IL generally believed. 500 s@-
Tne large majority of persons in civil life
are still as unfit to be trusted for any fidelity
to the government, except SO far as it Is en-
forced, as they were during the prosperous
days OF the rebellion. Even among those who
for the protection TO heirproperty, have tax ,
en- the oath OF allegiance, there are very many
who aie as hostile as before. y g*s*sE'N
Those who have been connected with the
army may also be divided into different class
es. Some OF them have served against their
will; others did so only because they felt that
honor required that they should be faithful to
their State, and they now, tired and sickened
by the horrors OF war, heartily rejoice that
they can honorably return to their relations
to the old flag. Others, again, who have been
approvers Of the rebellion, are willing to own
that now, since 1t has failed, they have no
course lett but to SUBMIT and are ready to be
good citizens again. eH asA 51o
But these classes embrace a much smaller
proportion Of the army than is generally be
iieved. Among the officers, much the larger
portion, though they are courteous to their
captors and obey the etiquette of war, do not
disguise the fact of their undiminished hatred
OF The Union. There-are many things which
now tend TO make it greater than ever. They
60 to their homes to find everything changed
--and changed in way to aggravate them, at
every point. Their fortunes are destroyed /:
their neighbOrhoods broken up. And, what's
most calling Of al, their proud social position
is entirely gone. And. to crown
all, the negro not only is lost as property. but
is already claiming, with the likelihood OF re-
ceiving, equal civil and political rights with
themselves. What shall they do? Some de-
clare that, as soon as they recover the wreck
of their fortunes, they shall 60 abroad Some,
believing that the profession of arms affords
now their only eof success, intend to
offer their services to some foreign power, not
Disgusting the hope that they may some time
be again in hostility to the United States
Many are about to go to Mexico to ally them
selves with this intent on the side of Maximl-
ian. From all that could learn
of the practices OF the Southern army, the
war has made this spirit OF chivalry more
dangerous to civil quiet men than it was be-
fore. ~ 80 ~
Among the common soldiers there are prob
ably many who long to become peaceful citi-
zens again, and if circumstances permit. they
will begin Industrial pursuits, with no desire
again 10 disturb the peace. The onlysfear as
respects these is, 1.-THE same as in the case with
our own soldiers,) that the interrupted habits
OF industry and especially the loss of self reli-
ant enterprise consequent upon the strict hab-
itof obedience required OF the soldier, may
stand in the way of-their thrift, and conse-
quently OF their contentment. But there is
beside large mass of ignorant and unprin-
cipled men, whose only political'princples are
hatred Of the Northern "Blaek Republicans" !"
and support OF hegsovereignty of States-and
their only religious belief, the divine appoint
four years has taught them habits of endur-
snee and love OF rough exciteme t. Half a
pound OF bacon and quart OF meal day sat
isfies all their wants; give them that, and a
rife and ammunition, and the chances to ma
raud, and their highest aspiration is secured
They hope for nothing better than "border
rufiin" kind oi life, with power to disturb and
annoy at will.
WILL THE NEGRO WORK?
1t is important to consider, besides, 1.
Whether they will work and 2. Whether
they will have any desire or capacity to rise
in the moral and intellectual scale. l. Ask
any Southern planter and he will tell you that
it is proved by all experience that the negro
will not work except upon compulsion; and
you cannot yet make him believe other wise
Ask many casual observers who have been an
noyed by some experience the negro's shift
lessness and lsziness, and they will say itprob
ably is true. But a careful Investigation has
brought me to the conclusion, in support O
which l have abundant proof. but no time
now to offer it, that the indisposition to labor
and the tendency to shiIk, is nothing more
than the inevitable result of the long habits o.
working with no other motive than fear of the
lash. 1t has already been tested and proved
II could mention II had time, many very in
terestiDg proofs that with judicious manage
ment they can be employed under voluntary
system with as much certainty of service as
any other class OF people. And there are indi
vidual instances OF enterprise and thrift fan,
tthosa not iew) which ought to put this poin
at rest.
Z. AS to the aspiration among them iol
higher things little need be said; though i
would be pleasant to say much. For this as
piration is so universal and so apparent tina
It has been noticed and testified to by all, a
has also their Intelligence and quickness f
learn. Not oaly do they welcome the teach
ers sent them from the North aud try in al
wavs 10 await themselves of their instruction
but almost their first care, when they are set
tied for themselves, Is to provide for the edu
cation OF their children. In Savannah tn
colored people have supported Tree schools
their own cost, by voluntary subscription, eve
since the capture Of the city, at an expense {
three hundred dollars month, while ther
has not been one public school supported b
the whites. met the leading colored peopl
of Savannah in many ways-in their commit
tee meetings, in their churches, Ia their pOlit
cal gatherings and In their homes-and
found among no class of men a higher tone,
more intelligent appreciation of what wa
most desirable in life, purer purpose to d
what is right, or more determined resolu
ton TO improve all the opportunities that Go
has given them.
SHALL THE NEGRO VOTE ?
The question is being agitated in the ma
ton now. Shall the negroes be allowed t
Voie2 10 one who has mingled with then
as ! have done, the serious discussions upo
the prepriety Of 1t, were itnot SO serious
matter would provoke smile. hope tina
for, at least one year to come there wtll be n
UotiYag dlLo aced IN the rebelEioUs States; bu
when 1t was permitted, to say that those sha
vote who have been laboring toovertbrow ou
Government, aud who now hate it as much a