The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-06
"I'LL TELL YOUR Pa"



We published yesterday series Of re.
markable official productions emanat-
ing from sundry functionaries of the
Freedman's Bureau, and designed to
force the people of Virginia to submit
to the burthens of slavery while denied
its benefits.
This is part of the general system Of
government now obtaining In these
southern states, which is distinguished
by cautious one -sideoness The theory
seems. to be that whereas the states by
rebellion, have forfeited all rights of q
constitutional nature, they should not
only be content but very grateful for the
extension to them of one halt of the pro-
visions of the common charter. And
inasmuch as one halfof these provisions
prescribe duties, while the other half
guarantee rights, the loyal people very
naturally tender us that half which will
cost them least and benefit them most.
For example, the constitution pro-
claims the correlation of representation
to direct taxes but the JacObins collect
the taxes with scrupulous punctuality,
while denying the representation which
was designed to offset it.
AS a counterbalance to various at
tributes of sovereignty surrendered by
The several states, they are allowed equal
representation in the Senate Of the
Union; but the said Union absorbs the
sovereignty but denies the senatorial
seat. And the same is quite generally
true ofthe dealings of the radicals with
the South.
1t was not to be expected, therefore
that any other spirit should animate
that very remarkable protecorate known
as the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen
and Abandoned Lands;n accordingly
we experienced none of the astonish-
ment manifested by our contemporaries,
when we learned that Colonel Brown
had ordered that the late shareholders of
Virginia who had been bereft of all the
slaves whose labor was profitable, would
be required to maintain all those whose
lives were profitless from age or in
trinity.
Nor, in view of the peculiar constitu-
ton of the Bureau aforesaid, were we
much surprised when Major General
Howard endorsed the order, and with
the following manly and magnanimous
threat:
ANY citizen who attempts to turn
out of doors the helpless and infirm,
will be Immediately reported By name,
that his case may be laid before the
President for his action"
Any grown citizen of Virginia insen.
sible to this fearful threatening, must be
abandoned beyond expression; and al.
though we have no doubt Andrew
johnson would have been terribly puz-
zled to know what to do with the case,
the thing sounds very portentous, and
IL some of the Radical papers--the New
York Times among them-had not
grown suddenly ashamed of the whole
affair, and induced its quashing, we do
not doubt that every Virginia planter
would have opened straightway pri-
vate aims house for the negroes, and
suitably endowed it by will.
But the whole affair was too absurd
on its face to live long, and we have a
new order from Colonel 0. Brown, As
sistant Commissioner of the Bureau of
Abandoned Refugees, Freedmen and
Lands, wherein he modifies considera-
bly, his previous proclamation, and, In
stead of declaring that "the late owners
,cM be required to provide for their
former slaves" he merely orders his
subs to report the name and residence of
any guilty ones straightway to his office. |
Brutens t,sln'en.