Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-12-20

e restore them to a condition of prosperity
a is true thatin some Of the States the dernoral
5 izing effects Of the war are tn be seen in oc
3 easional disorders, but these are local il
character, not frequent in occurrence an
are rapidly disappearing as the authority 0
the civil power is extended and sustained
: Perplexing questions were naturally to b
: expected from the great and sudden chang
In the relations between two races, but sys
} TENS are gradually developing themselVe
under which the freedman viii receive tn,
protection to which he is justly entitled
and by means of his labor make him use
ful and independent member of the com
munity in which he has his home From
all the information in my possession, anG
from that which I have recently derived
from most reliable authority, I am indgesse
~, , -2 s1fS rapidly merging itself int
a spirit of nationality, and that represents
tion connected with a properly adjusted sys-
TEN of taxation will result in q harmonious
restorationof the relations of the States tc
| the national Union. The report of Carl
sehI,-- 20 herewith transmitted, as request
ed by the Senate No report from the Hon.
Jno Covode has been received by the Pres
ldent The attention of the Senate is in
vlted to the accompanying report of Lieut..
| Gen. Grant, who recently made a tour of in
speetion through several of the States whose
inhabitants participated in the rebellion.
(Signed) ANDREW JOHNSON.
| HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE q.
Dec. Is, 1865.
To HIS EreeHeuey A. johnson, President of
tie United States.
SIR: In reply to your note of the 18th
inst, requesting report from me, giving
such information as may be possessed Of
coming within the scope of inquiries made
by the Senate of the United States in their
resolution of the 18th inst, have the honor
to submit the following with your approval
and also that of the Hon. Secretary of War:
left Washington City on the 2ith Of last
month for the purpose of making tour of
inspection throughout some of the Southern
States lately in rebellion and to see what
changes were necessary in the disposition
of the military forces Of the country, how
these forces could be reduced and expenses
eurtailed, &C., and to learn as far as possible
the feelings and daintentions of the citizens of
these States towards the general Govern
ment. The State of Virginia being so ae-
cessible to Washington City, and informa-
tion from this quarter being readily OBJ
tanned, hastened through the State with
out eonversing or meeting with its citizens
in Raleigh,N.C. IspeHt one day in Charles
ton, S. c.. tVp days in Savannah and Az
gusta, Ga. Each day, both in travelling and |
whilst stopping, I saw much and conversed |
freely with citizens of those States, as well |
al with officers of the army who have been |
stationed among them. The following is /
the conclusion come to by me:
| am satisfied that the mass OF the think |
ing men of the south accept the present sit
uation of affairs in good faith. The ques-
tions which have hitherto divided the SEN
timents of the two sectiOns-slavery and ]
state rights. or the right of a state to secede |
from the Union-they regard as having
been settled for ever by the highest tribunal,
that of arms, that man can resort to.
l was pleased to learn from the leading
men whom met that they not only accept
ed the decision arrived at as final, but, now
that the smoke of battle has cleared away
and time has been given for reflection, that
this decision has been a fortunate one for
the whole country. they receiving the like
benefits from it with those who opposed
hem in the field and in the council -Four
years of war, during which the law was
executed only at the r1>;--1--|s-]s
ne people possibly in a condition not 10
'ield that ready obedience to civil authority
he American people have generally been
n the habit of yielding. This would render
he presence of small garrisons throughout
hese States necessary until such time as
sbor reurns to its proper channel and civil
established.
/ did not meet any one, either those
Iolding places under the Government or
itizens Of the Southern States, who thought
t practicable to withdraw the military
rom the South at present-white and black
desire the protection of the Gener- |
/ Government There is such universal
equiesence in the authority of the General
government throughout portions of the
ountry visited by me that the mere pres
e a. I
umbers, is sufficient to maintain order. !
he good of the country requires that !
orce be kept in the interior where there are
many freedmen, elsewhers in the Southern !
tates, than at the forts upon the sea coast, !
10 force is necessary. They should all be q
Thite troops. The reasons for this are OBJ s
ious without mentioning many of them. Z
he presence of black troops, lately slaves, =
emoralizes labor by their advice and furn-
sh in their camps a resort for the freed q
len for long distances around. White !
roOps generally excite no opposition, I
nd, therefore, a very small number
an maintain order in a given district.
olOred troops must be kept in bodies
efficient to defend themselves. It is 4
ot thinking men who would do violence $
0ward any class of troops sent among them
y the general government, but the ignorant U
4 some places might, and the late slave, 7
DO, who might be imbued with the idea that
he property of his late master should by
lght belong to him, at least should have no
from eolored soldiers. There is 3
anger Of collision being broug on by such {
auses. My observations lead me to the
onclusion that the citizens of the south are c
nxious to return to self government within a
he Union as soon as possible, and whilst re- 5
Onstrueting they want and require the pro- Il
setiOn from the government that they think C
required by the government and not hu- @
liliating to them as colonies, and if such q
purse was pointed out to them they would '
ursue it in good faith.
It is TO be regretted that there cannot be a
reat commingling at this time between the
tizens of both sections, and particularly
lose entrusted with the law making power.
l did not give the operations of the Freed
lens Bureau that attention / would have
one had more time been at my disposal.
however, on the subject, with j
Ulcers connected with the Bureau, led me a
think that in some of the States its affairs c
ad not been conducted with good judgment n
economy, and the belief widely !
his belief Is seriously interfering with the
iiiingness of the freedmen to make con-
acts for the coming year, and will until law )
established and enforced, securing to the a.
eedmen their rights and full protection.
I present, however, it is independent of
,e military establishment of the country +,
1d seems TO be operated by the different n
rents of the Bureau according to their in n
lyidual notions. Everywhere Gen. How n
d. the able head of the Bureau, has made n
lends by the Just and fair instructions and 3
Twice he gave, but the complaint in South
arolipa was that when he left things went
4 as before. Many, perhaps the majority !,
the agents of the Freedmen's Bureau, x
lyise the freedmen that by their own in =
nstry they must expect to live, and to this y
I'd they endeavOr TO secure employment for
lem and to see beth contracting parties
,mply with their engagements. In some cl
,ses, I am sorry the Freedmen's mind does n
d seem TO be disabused Of the idea that the d
eedman has 'ha right to live without
.re or provision for the future.
he effect O. nc Uelief III the division of h
nd is idIeness and accumulation in camps, &
wing and citses. In such cases think 1t =,
i'll be found that vice and disc Will n
nd to the determination or great de- :,
,oraition of the colOred raes- 1t can :,
,nnot be expected that the opinions held T,
Y men at the South for years can be chang
in a day, therefore the freedmen require
II a few years not only laws to protect
lem, but the fostering care Of those who
ill give them good counsel, and en- whom
,ev can rely. The Freedmen's Bureau be-
az separated from the military establish
lent Of the country requires all the expense a
{ a separate organization. One does not :