The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-16
The Amended Bill for the Protection of
fhe Freed Negroes.

The bill TO enlarge the Freedmen's Bureau, as
Amended by the Judiciary Committee, has been
presented by Mr.. Trumbull to the Senator
It provides forthe continuance of the Bureau,
and extension to all parts of the United States
where freedmen may be. For this purpose
there are to be twelve lreedmen's districts, with
an Assistant Commissioner over each, with sub
districts and the necessary clerks. The Presi-
dent is authorized to place the whole, il he
deems it best under officers from the army, and
TO give all employees of the Bureau military pro
lection. For destitute refugees and negroes,
the Secretary of War is authorized TO issue pro-
visions, fuel, and clothing.
The important feature, however, is the
authority given by the President to reserve for
the freedmen and loyal refugees unoecupied
lands in Florida, Mississippi, and Arkansas, not
exceeding in All three million acres OF good
land. Each family or laborer is to have forty
acres, at such rent as may be agreed upon
between the Commissioner and the freedmen.
After time the tenants can purchase and own
the lands on valuation-this latter to be deter
mined by the Commissioner, under direction of
the President.
The titles granted under General Shermans
special field order OF January l6, 1861 are con-
frmed and made valid.
Again, the pauper treedmen-now depending
on the Government for support-are to be pro-
vided with such lands in the different districts
as the United States may be able to purchase,
and the Commissioner shall build upon them
such schools and asylums as may be necessary;
and from time to time he is to let and sell those
lands to the freedmen, in the same manner with
the public lands; provided, however, that the
lots shall never be sold for less than the cost to
the United States
Another section authorizes the President to
extend military protection to the freedmen in
all cases of laws making discrimination against
them on account of color; and still another
prescribes punishment tor subjecting freedmen
to slavery .. ...
This important bill was discussed yesterday
before the Senate. . ..
We speak advisedly when we say that no one
motion OF more importance will come before the
Senate during this session.
The suffrage might ultimate ly be of benefit to
the intelligent negroes, but for the whole race
at this time land is OF more value than votes.
This bill is really an act to raise up suddenly
emancipated race from their condition of depend
ents or prOetdires to that OF landowners and
treeholders. 1t recognizes the great economical
fact that the possession of land is one of the
principal elements ID the advance and elevation
of poor peasantry. 1t offers to the negro what
the Government has already offered to the emf
grant white peasant from Europe, the stimulus
of land to induce him to settle and labor. OBJ
serving the fearful effect in Jamaica OF throwing
obstacles before an emanclpated race, in their
purchase and renting of real estate the trainers
of this bill have made 1t as easy as possible. All
can have ground, If they will; even the paupers
are to be put on FARMS and all can secure the
fee of their little plots by proper industry and
economy. The act secures the protection of the
negro, and really thus aids the white. If the
black laborer be badly treated by the planters,
he will inevitably retreat to the unoccupied
lands, and rent his plot from the Government,
leaving the large estates to shift for themselves
If unjust laws are passed against him, solely
on account of his color, he can appeal to mill
tary protection, and the President Iii he choose)
can defend him against inlqutous State or local
legislation If efforts are made to reenslave him,
the authors are liable to punishment. The edu-
cation and shelter of those destitute persons,
now dependent on the Government, are secured
by this bill, its trainers recognizing in this alb
normal state OF things certain duty of the
United States towards those unfortunate freed
men, though such matters ordinarily ought to
belong to the State and local authorities. We
are glad to see, also, that General Shermans
most wise arrangement for his destitute freed
men and for other loyal freedmen is to be con-
frmed. The owners of the Sea Islands were the
most rabid Rebels; they opened this wicked Re.
bellion; their lands have been cultivated by
loyal blacks who trusted to General Sherman's
orders and to the promises of our officers. We
do not believe in any general eoniseation, but
in this particular case, the black loyalists being
settled on The plantations, it seems Just that the
owners should be the sufferers. When we speak
Of the Importance of this bill we are looking to
the future oil the white as well as the black race.
We believe that the real interest of the planters
is in it as much as that of the negroes.
From the beginning the great effort of this
journal has been to harmonic labor and capital
in the South. If the two are permanently sepa-
rated (as the mad passion of so many at the
South would inevitably bring about), then fare
well for generation TO the peace the pros
perity, and the wealth of the Southern States.
The great use of the Freedmens Bureau is just
this-to reconcile the master and his paid Ia
borer. ltis a third power Qt we may so call it)
put in by the Government between the employ
ing class and the laboring, to guard the interests
of both .t .. 30 #,
The freedmen need some authority in whose
advice they can have confidence; some power
besides the courts of planters to arrange their
contracts, and to compel them to observe them
and force them to labor; some department to
discourage pauperism and idleness, promote
education, arrange wages, protect rights, and
force the planters also to fulhl their engage
ments. .lH ID
In ordinary times the local authorities would
be sufficient for this. But after such terrible
war as the late one with emancipation forced by
the bayonet, we cannot expect the old slayehold
ing class to do full Justice 10 those who were
once their property. 1t would not be in human
nature. The Government comes in for time
till matters settle themselves. Under the Bureau
(it wisely administered) the South may yet hea
the wounds OF war; and the Industrious blacks
may be source OF greater wealth to the coun
try than they were In slavery. Without SOM
such administration we fear only confusion, dis
older disorganization of labor, poverty, ant
revolution. A .e
AS a matter of fact, we trust that the black
will never be driven TO the "unoccupied lands
They are worth vastly more on the large estate
than as pioneers But their continuance in col
ton and sugar and rice labor will depend on tn
wisdom, justice, and kindness OF their employers
The Government can merely protect them an
punish idleness.
Progress OF Reconstruction.
From the Tribune. .rfrui sI
We rejoice to learn that the good work Of r,
construction Is proceeding at the South wit
nItaa fnl raJ q % at no nuf in pOt