The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-03-02
Agricultural Interests OF Tennessee.
The Condition Of Affairs Generally.

We have heretofore given, so far SIS we
have been able to ascertain, the condition
and prospects Of the agricultural interests
in the various counties Of this State; We are
now prepared to give some congratulations
on the subject, warranted by the facts pro-
ducej, and by others at our command.
SO far as the negro and the former MASTER
are concerned, when left to themselves,
there Is 10 difficulty. A vast msjority Of
the negroes Of the State-say eight-tenths
remain on the plantations Of their former
. owners, or on those Of their near ~neighbOrs,
and have entered upon another years labor
under contracts that will ensure TO them
support and comfort. Some have sgreed
for q stipulated hire in money, whilst others
prefer TO share the FORTUNES Of their employ
ers, and take a part Of he croP-the most
iudicious system, By long odds, for all par
ties concerned. In nearly all cases, we be-
lieye, food, shelter and medical attendance
are embraced in the contract, while cloth.
ing is generally excepted. Regarding the
women and chl ldren unable 10 labor,
or but to n very limited extent, our
planters have usually made most
liberal arrangements-in many cases taking
care of them as heretofore. We have
heard o. no case where a planter, whose
C rcumstsnces admitted Of his continued
protection Of this helpless class, looked ex-
clusiyely TO interest and turned them sdrift.
Southern masters, a3 an almost universal
rule, always placed q moral estimate on
their slaves not to be reckoned in dollars
snd cents. The relation Of the two classes
was pairiarchal, not purely Of 8 business
character and regulated solely by interest.
So deep rooted was this sentiment in the
public mind, that The negro, whatever con
trary theories may be started for political
effect, though in a state Of freedom, still
looks to mis- former master, and TO Southern
people generally, IS his truest and best
friends. And he does not look in vain, as
facts now Transporting fully demonstrate.
But to return, matters generally look
cheering, sud if left alone, the planters Of
Tennessee will this year make asupport and
something handsome to send abroad. But
they should Be lCt alone. II heavy discrim-
mating taxes are 20 be levied upon their
products; if the Northern agents Of the
Freedmen's Bureau are to intervene between
master a1d servant and without legal
ruides substitute their own will as the rule
for the government Of labor, thus creating
contentious, jellousies, and distrusts; if
Congress shall continue to hold out prom
ises to the negro, which, if fulfilled, could
only sdd to his u~nhappiness and lead event
ua.ly to his ruin-if these obstacles be not
removed, we can make no promises for the
future. We nave nothing sure to build
upon. All is uncertainty and a%pPrehen-
sion. No man who sOws knows
that he will be allowed to reap, or even
to cultivate. Even the Legislatures
Of the South SIRE in doubt as to the proprie-
ty Of passing laws for the protection and
government Of the freedmen, lest they
should bring the States in conflict with the
Federal authorities. Under such circum-
stances no people can be induced to invest
their money and exert their full energies.
And thus we shall continue until the con-
s~titution shall have been restored and its
guarantees enjoyed by these States.
Let these hindrances be removed, and a
new era VII dawn upon the south-one in
which she will prove her devotion to the
government at home and in the public
councils, and her power by achievements
upon the great arena Of enterprise and in
dustry.