Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1865-12-24


ment throughout the portions of the
country visited by me, that the mere
4 presence Of military force without re-
gard 10 numbers, is sufficient for order
/ The good of the country requires that a
/ force be kept n the interior, where there
are many freedmen. ElsWhere IN
the Southern states than at forts
upon the sea coast, no force is neces-
sary. They should all be white
I troops, and the reasons for this are
/ obvious without mentioning many
/ of them. The presence Of black troops,
/ lately slaves, demOraliZes the labOrers,
/ both by their advice, and by furnishing
/ within their camps resort for the freed
men for long distances around. White
troops generally excite no opposition,
and therefore a small number of them
can maintain order in q given district.
I Coiored troops must be keptin bodies suf-
fcient To defend themselves. II is not
the thinking men who would do violence
to any class Of troops sent among them by
the General Government; but the ignO-
rant, in'some places might; and the late
slave, too, who might be imbued with
the idea thatthe property Of his late mas
ter should, by right, belong to him-at
least should have no protection from the
cOlOred soldier. There is danger Of col
lisiOns being brought on by such causes.
Ny observations lead me TO the con-
clusion that the citizens of the Southern
States are anxious TO return to self-gov-
eminent within the L Union as soon as pos
sible; that, whilst reconstructing, they
want and require protection from the
government: that they think what is re-
quired by the government is not humili-
atiug TO them as citizens; and that, if
such "a course was pointed out, they
would pursue il in good faith.
1t is 10 be regretted that there cannot
be a greater commingling at this time
between the citizens Of the two sections,
and particularly Of those entrusted with
the law-making power.
/ did not give the operations of the
Freedmeu's Bureau that attention ]
would have done if more time had been
at my disposal Conversations, however,
on the subject with officers connected
with the bureau, led me TO think that in
some Of the States its affairs have not
been conducted with good judgment or
economy, and that the belief, widely
spread among the freedmen Of the South
eTn States, that the lands of their former
owners will, at least in part, be divided
among them, has come from the agents of
the bureau. This belief is seriously inter
fering with the willingness of the freed
men TO make contracts for the coming
year. In some form the Freedmen's
Bureau Is an absolute necessity until
civil law is established and enforced,
securing TO the freedmen their rights
and full protection. At present, how
ever, il is Independent of the military
establishment of the country, and
l.. al H. h.. 4 ~
agents of the bureau according TO
their individual notions everywhere.
Gen. Howard the able head of the
bureau, made friends by the Just and
fair instructions and advice he gave; but
the complaint in South Carolina was
that, when he left things went on as be-
fore Many, perhaps the majority, Of
the agents of the Freedmen's Bureau ad-
wise the freedmen that by their own in
dUstry they must expect TO live. To
this end they endeavor TO secure en-
ployment for them, and then see
that both contracting parties comply
with their engagements. In some
cases, / am sorry 10 say, the freedman's
mind does not seem TO be disabused of
the idea that the freedman has the right
TO live without provision for the future.
The effect Of the belief in the division Of
land is idleness, and accumulation in
camps, towns and cities. In such cases,
I think il will be found that vice and
disease viii tend to the determination
or great destruction Of the colored race.
Il cannot he expected that the opin-
ions held by men of the South for years
can be changed in day, and, therefore,
the freedmen require for q few more
years, not only law TO protect them, but
the fostering care Of those who will give
them good counsel, and on whom they
can rely. The Freedmen's Bureau, sspa-
rated from the military establishment Of
the country, requires all the experience Of
a separate organization. One does not
know what the other is
doing, and what orders they are acting
under. 1t seems 10 me that this could
be corrected bye regarding every officer
on duty with troops in the Southern
States as an agent Of the Ereedmen's
Bureau, and then having all orders
from the head Of the Bureau sent
through the department commanders
This would create a responsibility that
would effect uniformity Ofa action through
out the South would insure the orders
and instructions from the head of the I
bureau being carried out; and would re-
iieve from duty and pay a large number
Of employees OF the Government.
I have the honor 70 be, very respectfully I
your Obedient servant, L. :. GRANT. J