The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1865-10-21

tnan slavery. long winter ID bvfore
you and unless you provide for that time
your families must suffer-yea, many
must perish.
Many Of you are under the impression
that the Government wi feed you. THIS
is not go. Government will not feed any
who have had an opportunity and are
able to labor. You b ave had four months
of freedom, aud all that wished could
get work for themselves and families :.
and those who have not improved the
past four months Of their freedom must
abide by the consequences.
Ere long the troops will be withdrawn
from the STATE. You will be left to pro
vide for and protect youfselves. by your
labor you can provide, and by your good
behavior you will secure protection. You
must know that your freedom has taken
away that interest which J OUR former
masters had for you. When in slavery
you were their property-tfey valued
you as dollars and cents-and it was
their interest 10 feed, clothe, and nurse
you in sickness; out now that interest
has gone. The responsibilities that then
rested upon them, now falls upon you
and you only. Your fret step now should
be establish for yourselves character for
industry and integrity, and unless you
do so, your fate will be that of the North
American Indian-your race will pass
away and you will be known only in
name.
Then let me enireat Of you, as friend
ere il is too late. 10 think Of these things
TO look upon your positions as il is, and
make the resolve that you will make a
good name and place in This great aud
free government.
The Goverpment has guaranteed to
you certain rights and privileges. In
these rights you will be protected. Your
rights consist in your freedom, which is
freedom to make your own contracts, to
receive the benefit of your own labor, to
cho ose your own employer, to keep and
govern your own families, to educate
your children, asd to worship God after
your own manner. The same powers
that gave you these rights and privileges
have imposed upon you certain and new
duties, compelling you to labor TO sup,
port your families, to obey the. laws of
your country, to show respect and cheer
full obedience to your employers. to fulfil
and respect all contracts, to hold tie
marriage ties as sacred, aud to SO conduct
and deport yourselves as to xin the re.
spect and confidence Of all men. Fulfill
then, these requirements, and all will be
we'll. Reject them, and your condition
will be fr wore one than you ever
experienced when in slavery. Il is true
that there are some bad men that will
take advantage Of your ignorance and
impose upon you. Some may try to &c
fraud you Of your wages, and few
wicked and cowsrdIy enough to. .tavengs
theif.lossss upon you by violence but
have patience, and ere long these mat
ters will regulate themselves. But good
behaviour; on your part will ever gain for
you the respect and protection Of all good
and just men.
Since have been among you have
discovered that majority Of you look
upon your former masters az your enc
mics, and upon the yankees" as your
ponly friends. In this you are mistaken.
am from the North, and kaow we'll the
feeling that exists there towards the ne
gro. | know that a majority Of the
Northern people will not willingly con
sent 70 your becoming citizens smongs,
them. The Government through mil
itary necessity, has given yoa your free.
dom, and in that freedom the people oil
the Moth will ever protect yon, unless
you become unworthy Of :heir protec'
titp.
The South is your natural homes, and
Southern men will be your friends. The
majority Of you were raised, have grown
upon the same plantations with your for
mer masters and know it TO be fac,
that there 10 a feeling, a sympathy, ex
isting between you that dces not nor new
er can exist between you and the people
Of the North. If Southern men are
your enemies il is your bad behaviour
that made them 60. The fact Is that you
Know nos how 10 appreciate your free.
! dom. and have OrcssIv ahuAed IL