Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-11-17

For The American
Are the Freedmen Capable of
Self-Support ?
THIRD PAPER.

Are the freedmen CapaOle OF
Self-Support =?
THIRD PAPER.
have never heard one Virginian admit
that the freedmen are, or ever will become
capable of self support. AS on the one
hand. Garrison and Phillips cite the case
of Ilayti to show that the liberated slave
can provide for his own wants. on the 9TH
er hand the Virginia planter brings forward
the same example to prove the contrary.
Apart from this attempted proof, upon
whichever side it belongs, regard the
opinion so unirersai throughout the South
to be an indication that ii will prove true.
So long have they held to the latter opin-
ion, and So firmly convinced are they of its
truth, that already have they commenced
to labor for its fulfllment. This unjust
view of the subject considered SO practi-
cally, must widen the breach between mas
ter and liberated slave. and make their in
terests more at variance. unless some out
side influence or effort is brought to bear
upon them. The effect of this view of the
planters or proprietors. is to increase the
difficulties and provide new obstacles TO
tie success of the freedman.
That the freedman is improvidcnt Is
true This alone accounts for his not be-
ing always industrious and inclined to
work. Neither is it surprising that such
should be the case. Bred in slavery. and
not required to provide for present necessi-
ties or future requirements, he is not
skilled in domestic economy without the
necessary instruction. have always found
the freedman ready and willing to work
when sufficient encouragement is given
him. When convinced that fair renun.
Grafton would be made him for labor, he
has never refused to work with spirit and
energy for the purpose of supplying The
wants of himself and family. When he
dstrusts the good faith Of his employer. oil
when the wages necessary for his support
are withheld, he becomes discoutcntcd aud
discouraged.
Under the experience of my own obser
Walton in several localities, | fad more va
rrancv is caused by i'll usage on the par
of the white man than inclination to idle,
ness on the part of the colored man. NJ,
attention has often been called to cases %
whole plantations of freedmen, who had
nearly ceased labor because the planter:
were not inclined TO allow them thcii
proper share Of the proceeds of the farm
as agreed upon. They have never faiic(
to resume their labor when their right,
We're properly secured to them. Thougl
l have found many without employment,
have never known one to refuse work When
it was provided for him.
Although one, on first entering the
South and noticing the miserable condition
of the freedmen, would at once think hin
incapable of self-support. by careful
examination of their condition, he would
attribute their suffcrings to the oppression
of race who has been taught to hole
them as cattle. and enjoyed an the adyan
tagcs of an education for the purposes o
cxtortion. and has taught the public to ig
more their rights and despise them. With
out encouragement. but in view of coming
wants the freedmen planted the corn q
last season. before the soldiers of the Con
federate armies returned home and t.
this foresight and energy. Virginia and the
Soath owe an abundant corn crop. As thu
result of conciliatory administration, the,
have no land to cultivate another year, ne
homes to occupy this winter,and the moth
er cannot weave yard Of cloth to coyel
her little ones, without first paving suci
tythes as an eKacting ,chivalrous Southern
er requires. In despair Of ever owning
land or homes they may now be sowing
wheat for their masters-for they desire /,
support themselves--but whether they viii
be atiOred to support themselves or torceo
to resort to the scenes enacted in St. Do
mingo-to sacrifice their fortune to ga,
lega, possession Of it's a question for tn,
Sontherner to answer. THOMAS NJ.