The weekly Panola star. [volume] (Panola, Miss.) 1857-1881, 1865-11-25
Address NJ Major benefaI u, u.
Howard, thief NJ frrfdman's
IInreau, Delivered NJ Jack.
tnn MIssn NOt II, isgj.

Nv FnlrSpyi The Government Of
tie United States has sent me ~ IN.
spcct the different agencies Of the
Frccdmans ljufcau-=to correct
abuses and wrong impressions that
may exist in regard 10 TITO form as
| good m idcn as ! could Of the state
Of society here, and make y report,
/ would state that many erroneous
impressions have gono out against
tlis bureau, and from ignorance of
/ in provisions there are many reasons
why hatred should exist.
! will carefully explain the objects
7 and intentions Of the Frecdman's lIu.
rcnu.
You all know of the late war
which existed between the United
/ States and the Southern States, and
which is now terminated. During
the war of which ! have spoken, the
colorcd people we're very much dis
lurbcd wherever the army went.
Sometimes they were completely bro
ken up and in most cases followed in
large numbers in rear Of our ar
mics.
In some places as at Beaufort, ).
rCs, New Orleans, and many other
points where our armies we're station.
cd, they were constantly coming in,
leaving their old homes. large mum.
bers had to be provided for, and,
therefore, the United States Gov
crnment was obliged to make some
provisions for their needs. Because
it did this, the idea must not be enter.
tanned that it intended to make pau.
pers Of them.
There is another point upon which
want to correct wrong impression
In many places during the war lands
were abandoned, and the Govern.
ment took possession Of them, and the
colorcd people were allowed to work
them or lease them. 1t was ut one
time thought that the Government
would retain possession Of these lands
and dispose Of them, perhaps, 10 the
eolored people.
The war closed much more sudden
" than any Of us supposed il would,
and now Congress and the President
: of the United States have decided
that tits their policy to be very lcni.
cut with the Southern States. And
now when man comes to me and
shows that land held " this bureau
belonged to him, and that he has ta.
I ken the oath or does not come under
any of the exceptions, or has been
pardoncd, | at once restore bis land
to him. There rs yet in possession oI
tho Government some houses IN towe'
and some lands, sometimes held be-
cause the citizens to whom they for
merly belonged have not conformed
to the requirements Of the Govern.
ment. The Impression prevails
among many Of the eoiOred peePlc
that the Government means to give
this land 10 them, which is very
wrong and injurious impression
Sene among the soldiers who hay,
been among you and seme Of the civ
: ilians have been willing to say any
,hing-sometimes to tell you thai
nos you are free, master must worl
for you.
Now you know that in erier u
own anything, you must buy it, yo'
must work first and get the money
and buy it and then il belongs 4
you. -
At the close Of the war, ] was or
:, dercd to Washington and assigned L
q the charge Of this Bureau. Congress
!. passed a law establishing and pro
|, yiiing for this Bureau. | read tha
|, law carefully and found everythinI
committed TO its care. | had my Of
= fee arranged at Washington, an
!, looked FIRST to n proper arrangement
; Of labor; for il is only through labor
!. that We ean.get food aud clothing.
: Though we have charge ofman
: y asylums throughout the country fc
+. the protection Of the aged, and chi
den unable TO take care Of then
selves. I wish to say. and be undel
4. stood that We DO not mean and ,ei
n not give to those who can take care
themselves.