The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-22
The Freedmen
TFrcm tie Eichmond Whi%l

we are induced to believe that por-
ten of the people of tho Northern States
ofthis coun;ry-wc willnot dignity such
a collection ly tcrming it a party--in in
their isucrnce, or malice, or Goth, have
taken, and are. still taking, measures to
increase tic discomfort Of that rnfcrtuI'
nate race in the Southern States 50 re-
ccutly cudowcd>witIl freedom; to nHame
their passions, and thereby prevent any
solution of the social and political ques'
ton now pcl,ding but ole lbatis terrible
to contemplate.
Th c first ard most in portant step now
TO be taken ly tie freedmen of the
South, is to: forget as much as possible
of the past, ard more especially that
more recent period wherein their minds
we're filled with glowing visions of pros
pcr;tv, epgcndered Ly men cit'.ar malic'>
ous or ignorant. They must forget the
falschoods that have been told them, and
look The future honestly in the face.
TEcy must know tlat those who have
thus b, cnilcd them ar not their friends,
and. that for aid, counsel End practical
friendship, they must. lcok to those
among vhom they were born, and in
community with whom they wish to livc.
1t is terrible to contemplate the cond:-
ton of tic African race Of this country
in The future, unless .hcir relations are
clear and friendly with tic Southern Eco.
pie. There can be OIL middle ground to
he assumed: They must be friends with
the white population Of the South, or
they are their enemies, and as such will
and must lie treated. 1t is great pity
that these II: fortunate creatures Cannot
realize such q mlpHbie fact. Til, cou>
sclva'ive and sensible pcriion of the
Northern pee pie owe it to themselves to
prevent any further mischief cmanating
iic,n he opposite virw. Humanity lies
quirrs that there shall lie no further de-
ception prac'icel upon these simple
minded t.cines. II those who have
heretofore deceived he freedmen have
done It llron.h ignorance, tscy should
inform t!,eris iTcs CT facts; it, tbIargb
malice and yinGieriye motives, they
! honl'l lc suppressed.
1l.2rA can t'r TO t,:s@uising the fact
ihs: here is i,'lcncss, carrl, ssress, and u
disregard for the future arncng the RS
c~n:!y liberated. slaves OF the South.
These characteristics arc iHtrgratcd with
their raturc-:lcy are defects OF race.
That, in addition thereto, there is d;scon-
tent, INSTRUMENTATION, insnlencc, and, in
several instances, violence is clearly al
,ritu,ab,c to the exatl;ion, the infatna>
tion, prodnccd in the minds Of tie freed
men by bad and designing men for occult
purposes. We believe the intelligent
officers of the Freedmeu's Bureau have
endeavored to dispel the erroneous i'm
rressions thus made upon tie minds Of
the negroes, but the latter are 10th to
credit the assertions Of these officers, ior,
by so doing, they must surrender all their
brilliant experimentation visions ofease
and prosperity. We think this has ad
dcd to their discomfort, for they regard
those bright days which have been prom
iscd them as SO many vested rights, as
actual property, of which they arc TO be
deprived. While the.oflicers discbarei eing
their duty in loppling S me of these air
castles oyer, the mischicf>nakers are
still at work secretly, and, we fear, effect,
ually.
The South desires, nay needs, the labor
of these people if they cant have it assured
to them under proper legislation. Asso-
citation has Dade them familiar with this
kind of labor, and for certain purposes
they would perferit iftbe freedmen could
be made to comprehend their own inter-
ests. But if the continued agitation of
social and political questions is to attend
the existence Of this race among us-if
we are 10 live in state of chronic disor-
der, of chaotic disorganization, and sec
constantly around and amongst US the
clements of destruction ready for tho use
of fanaticism, instead of the peace and
quiet VIC delnand-if We are to endure a
constant threat of violence unless new
and extraordinary privileges are accorded,
We risk hut little in predicting. the end.
We can omly bid these white breeders of
mischief to beware, or the recoil will be
dangerous to them.