The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-03-16

whether the negroes would he willing 10
relove TO any territory assigned 10 them
ii that Were 10 be done-but from my
knowledge of negro character | think they
would object TO it. think the mass OF
them dc>ire very much 10 continue TO live
IN their Did neighborhoods, and with their
old maSte's-invariably where they have
been treatol well a. slaves. | was born
IN southern state and reared TO the age
OF nineteen III that country. Since have
been IN the army my services have been
IN southern stales and on the frontier bor-
derlng Oh southern states. There is no
dancer OF trouble from negroes remainin"
where they are, mless whites treat them
so badly they are compelled, in self de-
fence. TO rise up against them. There i
section of Alabama where the people
under the direction of "A phlanthropic zen
tlcman Of that state, have gone to work
OF themselves TO establish freedmen :
court. or something equivalent TO it,
through which they propose to administer
fair and impartial justice between employ
ers and negroes and they have also un-
dertaken TO establish schools for the re-
Egious instruction of negroes, and for ed
ucation in primary branches of knowledge
The disposition of negroes for knowledge
is uSlver>a,l-e>pecially among the young
er portion OF them. Their capacity for
receiving instruction has not Yet been fully
developed. but from all can learn from
conversation with different persons. they
possess !, far capacity for acquiring knowl-
edge. | think the second generation can
b. instructed much more easily and thor
oughly than the present one. because in a
measure the mind OF the negro is entirely
undevcl"ped at the present time, except
III matters of practical observation. |
think IN every instance where the negro
has been assured that he would be paid
fair wages he has zone 10 work willingly.
;und continued 10 work a> long As The con-
tract has been faithfully performed ON the
part OF his employers. do not think
Georgia differs materially from Alabama
There may be somewhat more OF personal
hatred toward negroes in their relation a
freedmen. hut n Vet ii has been easily con-
trolIeI through the treedmen'S bureau. ;in,l
that feeling Is constantly improving in all
the states The people of Mississippi ap-
pear 10 me 10 bc more impul>ive. more
prone 10 stand up for and assert iheir
opinions. Ii i difficult matter TO de
scribe the difference between the people
OF these two STATES. vet there Is 4 differ
cnce. | consider the people of Mississippi
the least promising The people of that
state do not listen TO arguments or discus
sion with IL much c;ilmm,.>> ;lS the people
of Alabama do. do not know that
c;ln give Il decided opinion of the differ
ence III the stale of feeling in those stale.
HOW AND Just after Lees surrender. be
cause the reports | received soon after
Lees surrender Were generally from per
>on> who travelled hurrelly through thai
portion OF the country. | think. in 4
great majority of eases they were disposed
10 look Oh the most favorable side imme-
diatclv after the surrender OF Lee. and the
downfall OF the contederlcy. and. perhaps
they di,l not investigate a. closely is per-
>cn> would at the present Time, The UNI
yer>al report made 10 me- by persons irav-
Cling through those states "a; that lin,
was 10 the effect that the mass of the peo.
pie were Very happy AT the downfall ot
the rebellion. and at their prospect of soor
getting again under the constitution ans
government OF the [ nited States.
.. Do you know anything from inform
alton or report of secret organizations in
the south said 10 he hostile To the Govern.
mcnt
\. | have received several communi,.a.
tionS 10 that effect. but the persons " IA,
have "ivcn me this Information have de-
sired that their names should not be men
TONED. and aS Vel nn direct accusation.
have been made in regard 10 any one per
son or any class OF persons. There hav,
been steps taken TO ascertain the truth o
the matter. The persons who commmi
, cate with me arc reliable ami truthful. ala,
| believe their statements are correct III
the main. bur how lar this ii>,,tf;riion cx
tends | am Vet unable 70 S;lv. Ii does cx
Isl 10 a certain extent. and am t:thiin.
measures 10 obtain IA much information
on the subject as | can
q, To what states does this informa-
tion relate
\. Ii relates to all states lately In re
belliun. think there Is no real danger
10 hc apprchcnded because the military au
thorifv and power of the government i
not onlv feared in those states. but .hinl
there ii Is ample TO put down any >eriou
demonstration.
. q. l. this information from different
sources, each entirely independent iron
! the other
a. Yes. sir.
q. 10 far Is You are informed. wha
are the nature and objects OF this organiz
alton
\. To embarr;>> ihe government O
the Cnitel States in the proper admins
tr;ition of the affairs of the country. b,
enleavoring. or making strong efforts f
gain very important concessions 10 III,
people OF the south, ii, possible, 70 repudi
ate the national debt incurred in conse
qnence of the rebellion, or TO GAIN such III
;,>cen'lcncy in congress a 10 make proyiS
ion for the assumption by congress of In
debt incurred by the rebel government
also. in case the United States can be in