The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-06-27
r E S 7 o r Alto N.
Letter Of Mr. Henry w. HiiIisrd, OF

Al8O8mes
.woosLAwN NEAR AUGUSTA, Ga, June s. 1885
GKsERAL-In accordance with your suggestion have
tho honor to submit in writing the views which sx-
pressed TO you in our recent interview. and to add
ers which think worth your consideration, respect
ing the status Of the people OF Georgia.
Frt-Our condition at this time extraordinary
Our whole Industrial system has undergone sudden and
complete change change affecting the very structure
of society Those who lately our slaves are now
freedmen Voluntary labor 10 substituted for nvoun-
tary servitude and that too, at critical time Tor the
planter Do not undorstand me complaining OF this
change heartily approve Of the substitution Of CON-
pensated labor for the system or involuntary
servituds have for many years been prepared
to SEQ this great change adopted throughout the
slaveholding States 30 far from resisting It
by invoking the aid Of courts or by any other
means shall exert myself TO induce the people Of the
South to acquisscs In the system cheerfulIy 40
cept Il a. ANAL sg-ssie 4. aa r
Ishould have recommended gradual change in tho
system OF labor II had boon consulted in regard to
a. best for both master and slave but II is In
my Judgment far wiser to submit at once
70 tho provisions Of existing regulations A.
fsctng our status than 10 seek to hinder retard
the full eeot Of those regulations firmly believe that
they will in the Of few yearswhen the South
has learned TO adjust itself TO the new sysem-yicd
higher prosperity to our people than they have ever on
higher civilization But this movement must not be left
10 itself II must be guided
OF course do not propose TO enter into an elaborate
statement Of my views Of this great question in
this communication. I desire to impress on the
administration the great importance OF providing
s sns1 to
TO say that your rule in midst-mtary rule az 1t is
has produced great good II seems to me to be emf.
nently judcious respectfully suggest therefore, that
you continue regulate affairs here with your military
force until the country resumes its tranquility.
that the military forse in the country BE-
strengthened II ought To occupy tho parts of the coun
try where the population is most Dense and where the
introduction Of tho system Of labor Is likely to be
attended with serious Misunderstanding between the
planter and his late slaves.
serious disturbances too likely to occur The colored
race, refusing 70 labor or thrown out OF employment
will plumber the country II they should form
great crimes, outrages OF the most serious
character Then, too, the better class among them
should be protected encouraged and directed need
not enlarge. You will, am sure, comprehend all
this and agree with in thinking that 1t is OF the high
cat Importance TO make this new system work well from
the outset There il much wisdom in the French proverb
respecting tho importance OF the first STEP
cond-The people feel great anxiety to have the State
restored early possible O its former relations to
the United States A military government, however
wisely administered is, Of course not the most de-,
sirabe form for people accustomed to civil liberty
suppose however, that this will give way TO civil gov
crnment as the present exgency passes away
do not know how soon the administration VIII
inauguarate measures to restore the State
to a full participation In the blessings Of
the government OF the United States II will, or
course desire to be assured Of the loyalty OF the peo
pie. That, Think need not be doubted In any event.
however tranquility may be preserved by maintaining
military force in the country, even after the establish
ment Of tho civil government. 1t will then be sub
ordinate TO that government and may aid in enforcing
It's authority II should become necessary to employ it.
This view win think sorve to relieve the necessity for
protracted military rule.
Thsrd-Thcre Ii doubt entertained a. to
the best means for restoring the State to its
former relations to the Union There are many OF
who would promptly act in the premises II 1t could
be understood that our action would b. agreeable 70 the
administration suppose however, that some uniform
rule will DO applied TO the States that undertook to
cede from the Union, and that II will soon be made
known need hardly assure you of my own sincere at
tachment TO the Union and of readiness to contribute
to the utmost Of ability TO its complete restoration
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
General X L. MoLrsEUx HENRY w billiard.