Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1866-03-02

therefore, be-required to sustain and en-
force military jurisdiction In every county
or parish from the Potomac to the Rio y
GranGe. The condition of our fiscal af-
tairs is encouraging, bit in order to sustain
the present measure OF public confidence,
1t is necessary that we practice not merely
customary economy, but as far as posslble
severe retrenchnent. In addition to the
objections already stated, The fifth section
of the bill proposes to take away laws
from its former owners, without any legal
proceedings being first had, contrary to
,, that provision of the Constitution which
declares that no person shall be deprived
OF hfe, liberty or property, without due
process of law. 1t does. not appear that 8
! part OF the lands, to which this section
refers may not be owned by minors or
persons OF unsound mind, or by those who
have been faithful to all their obligatid8
as citizens Of the United States If afy
any portion of the land is held by suclr
persons, 1t is not competent tor any authors
ity to deprive them Of it. If, on the other
hand, it~be found that the property is LA
bic to condscation, even, then it cannot be-
appropriated to public purposes until, bv
due process Of law, it shall have been de-
cared forfeited to the Government.
There are still further objections to the
Fclass of persons to whom it is designed to
bring relief. It will tend to keep the
mind OF the freedman in state of uncer-
tain expectation and restlessness while,
to those among whom he lives, it will be
source Of constant and vague apprehen~
) sion. Undoubtedly the freedman should
be protected, but he should be protected
by the civil authorities, especially by the
exercise Of all the constitutional powers of
. the Courts of the United States and of the
States. His condition is not so exposed as
, mas at first be imagined. lie is in por<
/ ton Of the country where his labor cannot
: well be spared. Competition for his SER
!, vices from planters, from those who are
constructing or repairing railroads, or
+ from capitalists in his vicnage, or from
7 others States, will enable him to command
u almost his own terms. He also possesses
9 a perfect right to change bis place Of a.
9 bode; and if, therefore, he does not find
e IN one community or State mode of life
/ suited to his desires, or proper remunera-
n ton for his labor, he can move to another,
e where labor is more esteemed and better
u rewarded. In truth, however, each State,
T. induced by It's own wants and interests,
) will do what is necessary and proper to
t. retain within its borders all the labor that
/ is needed for the development of its re-
y sources. The laws that regulate supply
e and demand, will maintain their force,
n and the wages of the laborer will be regu-
b. la.ed thereby. There is no danger that
SIS the great demand for labor will not ope-
II. rate in favor of the laborer. III
"a Neither is sufficient consideration gives
y to the ability OF the freedmen to protect
at and take care of themselves. It is nc
q, more than justice to them to believe that
ed as they have received their freedom with
esI moderation and forbearance. SO they will
e. distinguish themselves by their industry
u. and thrift, and soon show the, world that
I'll in condition Of freedom they are self
IN sustaining and capable of selecting theil
a own employment and their own places oi
er abode, of insisting for Themselves on 8
OF proper remuneration, and of establishing
III and maintaining their own asyl lums and
x -lsehoels., It is earnestly hoped that, IN
III stead Of wasting away, they will, by theil
at,l own efforts, establish for themselves "a
n condition Of responsibility and prosperity
ri-IItis certain that they can attain to that
u, condition only through their own merits
a-Iand exertions. In this connection the
iy lqnery presents itself whether the system
er proposed by the bill will not, when, pa
at inte compiete operation, practically trans
a. fer the entire care, support and coHtrol 81
AL four millions of e1nancipated slayes &c