The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-19
M I S Sis SIPPI.
Proposition TO Buy a Homestead for
JEFF. Davis.
BAD PROSPECTS OF THE FREEDMEN.
The Proposition to Admit Negro Testi-
mony Against White Men Re-
jected by the Assembly.
4 HOMESTEAD FoR JEYr. paws
Our jackson Correspondence.
JAcK0oS Miaa NJ, a rcar

JACKSON Miss, Nov. 0, 1865
HOMESTEAD JEpp. DAVIS
There very little OF interest transprn M nj the pre
sent writing. The Nnrs the anti administration paper
has leading article In todays issue recommending tho
presentation OF magnificent homesteadr TO Jen.
Bavis, the means of purchasing 10 a foreign
country, he has been free The modus op,rand
which II proposes is ths-that every surviving soldier
who has al time another either directly in.
directly been engaged in the Confederate service shall
subscribe dollar to the fund.- commissioned officers
to contribute at their discretion II is calculated that
such subscription would amount in the aggregate TO
half million Of dollars and it is purposed make
exclusively soldiers testimonial do not think the
plan will work; for II grant the willingness OF
the Southern soldiery to subscribe TO such object,
doubt exceedingly whether the great mass Of them
just now able To do anything than barely provide
for their own necessities and meet their expendi-
lures Moreover suspect that tho love OF the almighty
dollar about as potent south Of Mason and Dxons limo
as II is north OF it, People usually lavish in pc
cunary devotion toward repiesc natives Of a fallen
cause, and there is wide difference that OF
enthusiasm which prompted the Legislature to memo
rlaize the President for the OF JEFF Davis and
that chvary of the for the exercise OF which the
project calls
TIM LEGISLATURE
mas agreed TO adjourn the 18th inst 10 re-.
assemble on the hrst Monday in February next.
Quite considerable of necessary local legislation
has been TRANSACTED during the session but great
deal more remains to be done During The all pro-
cesses OF law to have been standst 30 that the
internal affairs Of the State pretty nearly con
dton ofthe famous Augean stables Whether there DO
any Hercules among the law making fraternity of Mssis-
slppi remains TO be SEEN Judging from appearances
should think not.
The PRESENT CONDITION AND FUTURE STATES
continue TO be prolific of discussion among tho
journals OF The state few OF which, representing
hardly moety OF the number and still less of the
talent of that ik loud and in their oucry
against what they term the ianacism of admitting him
as competent witness before the Thus
advocates OF such measure have had clearly the best Of
the argument II is yet doubtful TO how the 1egisa
ture Will act but am inclined TO the belief that they
viii try to stave of the question until fna adjournment,
leaving the matter in the condition In which
muddled II reported that the return Gen Howard
from his tour Of inspection in the Southern States the
Freedmen Bureau so be broken up and its agents with
be desired; but am very much mistaken In my i'm
pessons n II does not work alike badly for the negro
and for society IN this state, or at least in this section of
IT, The government Is issuing al this post about
i've hundred ratons per day 10 ndigen whites and
backs. II the bureau Of freedmen and refugees be dis
continued suppose such relief measures will be discon-
tinued also; and II Is by means pleasant TO contem-
plate the terrible suffering which must should this
charity be at stopped some OF the negroes mani
fest insane dislike for work aud all Of them far
too prone to congrg gate about tho towns and villages,
where at best they only such precarious live
lihood is picked up from hand TO mouth instead Of
seeking employment on country farms aud plantations
i Is perhaps hardly to be wondered At that in many
cases they are dsncncd 10 20 back to their former
masters and msuesses, though that rs assurcdiy the
best thing they could, under the circumstances do.
Somehow or other great Of them appear have
contracted the notion that the has kept
faith with them They seem TO have had vague and
ndist!nct idea that the lands OF rebels divided
among themselves, and discern In their hestancy
and distust OF the counsels Of their friends that they
should hire out M practicable to their old own
ers Tor the that they would In NIL probability be
treated better bv them than by anybody else lingering
suspicion and fear that this be the beginning Of
measures calculated To reduce them in the end
10 their original ssrvi,ude and chattelsbp. This
foolish aud pcrnicons notion Is doubtless fed and
kept alive by the unaccOuniablc course Of a
few papers, which have been all along and are ham
mering away at the Legislature to pass a law In
regard 10 them which shall keep them in their proper
sphere The infcrority OF the negro rung so con-
stan,ly and many changes, and much blather-
skitc being written and published as to the necessity
Of making them feel such nierority, that do not
wonder that te freedman. wUl ais crude ideas and child
ish habits OF jumping a. conclusions, should be half
afraid that there is something terrible yc, In store for
him There Is also stupid canad In circulation, barped
upon BY such Journals to repleon, that In certain
lions OF this and other States the negroes arnng
themselves aud preparing for grand uprising against
the whites or about Christmas. ] do not
believe there Is the slightest foundation for such sur
nses, and this absurd practice OF vcntilating every
imaginary danger through the nowsrapr Is the worst
possible policy which could be pursued even " there
grounds for the rimor Quite largo number Of
the freedmen have learned 10 read during the war; and
they are BY no means ignorant OF what u going on a.
Is popularity supposed This pr cptaie and thoughtless
talk about them, about their nfcriority and about the
dreaded nsurccton can therefore, serve no Other pur
pose than 70 acquan them Of the fact that they are
feared and dreaded, which IL good as saying that
their power is recognized NJ capable OF being used
for Infinite mischief and disturbance II Is not
wise In these Journalists. II s my onomy
and tell him to his face that I afraid he IL
capable Of knocking me down, ought not TO be dsap-
pointed " he takes my word testing HIS strength
aud the sincerity Of my belief There are, however,
quite number Of planters and other persons who arc
buying stocks ~ spelling and other elementary books
for the use the freedmen in their employ, and Who
appear be honestly and sincerely desrous 81 an affirm
alive solution Of the question whether FREE labor will
be succcssfu and whether The negro race viii flourish
under their freedom Nor any uncommon sight TO
see black soldier after his Of duty 10 over, sitting
upon the steps ruined building diligently and
laborously spelling out his a-b abs from the "Chids
Primer These things hopeful and encouraging; but
s am afraid that with respect 10 the elephant Of tho
freed negro Mississippi will by be among tho
Of the states TO solve the problem, what will we do
with IN
The Press Despatch.