The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-14
Farm Labor.

Undoubtedly the most important supJecs W
engage the attentiono Of farmers at this juno
ture is LABoR. II they have succeeded IN
hiring the requisite number Of hands, there Is
no guaranty that these will continue through
out the year. They too often assume TO them
selves the privilege Of leaving whenever the
whira takes them, with or without cause, and
in majority of cases there Is no remedy. The
formalities Of contract, though sanctioned
by the Freedmen's Bureau, carry but little
moral obligation with q class OF beings who
are in fact but children Of larger growth.
Nevertheless, this is not the case with oil :
we are happy to believe there are many excep-
tions. Negroes who have been well brought
sp-who have belonged for any considerable
time to families Of high moral character and
social position-acquire degree OF sell re-
spect which is, for the most part, entirely
wanting among those who have been hired out
professionally for series Of years. There is
something in black blood, as well as white,
which in its greatest purity revolts at the COM
mission Of mean and dishonorable acts. When
ever practicable, farmers should prefer to
employ laborers such as these, though they
may cost twice as much; for they are in fact
worth it, The instances that have come under
our observation 60 to establish Ii as rule.
Whom did you belong to is the inquiry that
should first be made (; the one relating to wages
being entirely secondary.
But the number of iaborers Of the more
respectable class will fall short Of supplying
the demand. It will be necessary, therefore,
for most farmers to have recourse to others
who are less reliable. To such we venture to
suggest q few plain, common-sense rules,
which, we trust, will commend themselves to
the good judgment Of ALL Give your hirelings
fair wages--enough to place them above the
temptation Of committing dishonest acts.
Unless this is done you cannot expect them to
remain n your service any longer than inte-
rest or caprice may draw them off. The code
of morals of the negro, AZ race, In . state OF
seryitude, was on level with their condition.
Working without wages, 1t was not regarded
as a sin to stake" from their masters such
things, the product of their labor, as their
appetites crayed. Nor has freedom, thus far,
served to correct these proclivities. 1t will
REQUIRE time to educate and elevate them to a
higher moral status and this il a great duty
the people of the South owe these ignorant
creatures. We owe it to them, not only
because we profess to be a Christian people,
but out Of gratitude TO them for their fidelity
A~SS
then, befriend them on all proper occasions by
giving them liberal wages, treating them with
kindness, and placing them and their families,
during the term Of employment, In comfort
able quarters. Employers who are guided by
this principle win not be apt to want for hire
lings. They may meet with many incorrigible
cases, but the number may be expected TO
diminish every year.
The meetings held In several parts Of the
country to regula te the rate Of wages are, to
say the least, very impolitic. They produce
distrust In the minds OF the freedmen, with
out insuring Uniformity Of action on the part
Of employers There Ii much to iearn now in
regard TO the most judicious treatment Of these
people. Those who managed them best as long
as they were under their control must now
give mp ali idea Of force, and adopt mild
measures. They must learn to adapt them
selves to the present state Of affairs, or else be
subjected to endless irritation and annoyance
For years to come, the chief reliance for agri-
cultural labor viii necessarily be on the
negroes; but while we warmly advocate the
Introduction Of white labor, we wonld per-
Pstuate the life and usefulness Of the black
race rs long a. possible.