The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-16

why all TINS sapping ana mining 10r the next
Presidency, when that affair is foregone con-
clusion! 1t is radical blunder to be hedg-
ing and ditching against Andrew Johnson as
Presidential candidate Common sense, ss well
as common justice, should teach this Congress
to abandon its factious absurdities and ell such
qualifications as that third section and that
Colorado bill, and to deal honestly with an
honest and consistent administration.
The Ereedmen's Bureau and General
Howard's Explanation.
Wepubliyh to-day letter ff2w Major Gene
raj D. O. Howard, Commissioner Of the Freed
mems Bureau, in which that officer attempts an
the workings Of the Bureau in the Southern
States. We also give q letter from Assistant
Commissioner Whittlesey, in charge Of the
Freedman's Bureau in Raleigh, North Carolina,
in which he acknowledges the fact that freed
man was brutally shot by one Of the attaches
of the Bureau; but neglects to say any
thing about other charges preferred in
the report Of Generals steedman and Fuller
ton. II will be seen that General Howard
admits one of the main accusations; that is,
that the chief and subordinate and representa-
lives of the Bureau in certain localities were
running plantations" and furnishing rations TO
their negro hands at government expense, for
their own personal benefit. Nor does he deny
or explain the charge that the same officers
were bartering away the services of the freed
negroes and allowing them to be sent away
| from home associations and separated from
| family ties, under circumstances Of as much
| cruelty as ever characterized similar acts on
| the part of the late rebellious shareholders.
| The Commissioner, when he refers to the high
| personal character of a Rev. Horace James, one
of the managers of the Bureau in Southern
State, ncglects to mention another reverend
| gentleman, Rev. Mr.. Fitz, also bureau su-
Derinlendent whose inhuman conduct toward
| the poor blacks under his charge is only RI
| vailed by the Andersonville atrocities. He en-
\ tirely ignores the existence of the specific
charges of corruption, malieasance and cruelty
alleged in the report Of Generals Steedman
| and Fullerton, and dismisses the whole report
| under the sweeping declaration that the friends
| of the BIZ eau may rest assured that every
shadow Of accusation of completely in crime on
the part OF the officers of the Bureau in North
| Carolina ais utterly without foundation"
Generals Stcedman and Fullerton are men Of
honor; they bear a military reputation beyond
reproach, and no soldier can ever do
so against whom charge Of will
full want OF vcracity can fairly rest.
General Howard Is surely committing breach
of military etiquette when he makes public
statement of this kind against officers who
speak from knowledge Of facts obtained on
the spot, while the Commissioner himself is de-
lvering sympathzing speeches to negroes in
this city, far from the scene of operations. The
General says nothing about General Ely, Of the
Bureau, running five plantations in South Caro-
lima at government expense-an interesting
fact that is just being ventilated. In short
General Howard seems to have adopted the
plan Of the radical newspapers, and by raising
hue and cry about Generals Steedman and
Fullerton combining their investigations to the
opponents Of the institution as far as they have
gone, to screen the misdeeds Of those into
whose hands the administration Of the concerns
Of the Bureau In the Southern States is In
trusted.
aged. II reminds us of the times when Warren
Hastings was the British Governor General IN
India. History tells N that Hastings was un
scmpulous and cruel, but resolute. He depopu
lated whole districts by his exactions and com
mittsd acts Of signal injustice. But, like u,
radicals In Congress, success followed him II,
defeated opposition in his council, overawei
} the minority, refused 10 obey the orders Of th.
Board Of Directors Of the East India Company
! and was denied the support Of the home gov
ernment Edmund Burke, in l7se, brought ar
: tlcles Of impeachment against him. He wa
, charged with numerous acts Of oppression, will
] desolating whole regions Of British domain
: with population and corruption, with excitin,
useless wars, and with various acts dshonorinJ
| the British name. But he 30 adroitly manages
to atter the British that public opinion changet
{ in his favor, and instead Of The charges bein,
, sustained they were all dismissed. II would
, no doubt DO the same with our radical Con
I grew were charges brought against any ofBce
; OF the Freedmen's Bureau, from the highest 4
) the lowest No matter how plain case q
: cruelty, peculation, corruption or oppression
could be made out against any Of The of1cer
|. Of the Freedmen's Bureau; no matter how clea
, . case Of dishouoring the American nam,
4 which these men ere continually doing; n
Q matter how shsmslessly they may wor
o for the eternal dlsmemberment Of u