The daily clarion. [volume] (Meridian, Miss.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-21

! sES~ The question of labor for the
coming year is getting interesting. The
negro population is evidently determines
to go in on the short time principle
either by the day, week or month. pre-
ferrIng precarious existence and sup.
port by getting jobs to do, than to bind
themselves for year. A correspondent
al the Cincinnati Commercial writin 9
from Meridian, gives as a reason for the
negroes refusing to hire by the year, that
the planters, in large majority of instan-
ces failed to remunerate the negro for
his work /; and adds, "the complaint on
this score Is very general among the ne,
groes, and the remembrance of lyears Of
unpaid toll, no doubt prepares him to
share IN the mutual distrust which seems
to be almost everywhere expressed bv
ooth the freedman and his former mas
| Fer" Now the above sweeping charge is
| false. We have seen as much, probably.
OF Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana as
this Veraclous correspondent, and, if the
case he reports is true at all, it is in the
exception and not the rule. Many ne.
groes remain unpaid, no doubt, who have
run away from their masters, the time
for which they hired not yet being out.
and we suppose was not on the date of
this correspondents letter, December |
4th. Nor do we believe that any consid>
cradle number of negroes look for a di,
vision of property at Christmas
All these stories are to greater or less
extent humbugs few may believe and
only few, but the real and only ground
OF a refusal TO engage by the year, land
we have talked with huudreds,) is their
natural antipathy to work, and desire
to get their money often so that they can
spend it, and further desire to exer ,
else their freedom by working where !
hey please, when they please, and the
privilege of changing when it suits them.
'r lying idle altogether when they have =
few dollars ahead. These appear to be q
ne main reasons, and will be found to
perate against the cotton crop of the 3
nsulng year. The question of white la. g.
or is fast becoming popular with our
outhern people, and we predict that if
nough can be had, the negro will
e driven out of the country in a few
ears by the superior discipline and more
ltelllgent white labor, which will be 81
lore and more encouraged by our peo-
lie as its greater profits becomes appar 9o
1T. The planters are beginning to dis Is
'Ver this fact, and those who were eager
lease or sell their plantations have Sc
ddenly changed their minds and will
Did en- until white labor can be procur ~
/. Several companies have been organ la,
I'd for this purpose. and we may soon tn
pect good many arrivals on our shores, a sat
It not tithe of what could find i'm 90
ediate employment. With, however,
ch white labor as can be procured. and sIl Lul
negroes here who will be compelled orn;
work, we can reasonably expect fair r.
'p the In coming year, and at the pre- ~,
IT prices VIII amply repay for the trou- tor
: In year or two this great question rra'
labor will be settled, and our people W. ;,
rejoice that they gave not away to ant
'pondency, but kept on the even tenor -
heir way despite the fanatical spirit H.
hose who would trampIe upon a brave roo, roc,
honorable people. q