North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-01-03
TUNKHANNOCK, PA, WEDNESDAY, JANs3, 1866 >r

be kept in bodies sufficient to defend them
selves. 1t is not the thinking portion who
would use violence towards any class of
troops sent among them by the General
Government, but the ignorant in some pla-
ces might and the late slave seems to be im-
bued with the idea that the property of his
late master should by right belong to him
at least should have no protection from the
colored soldier. There is danger of col
lision being brought on by such causes.
My observations lead me to the conclu-
sion that the citizens of the Southern
States are anxious to return to self govern
ment within the Union as soon as possible.
That whilst reconstructing they want and
require the protection from the govern
ment, that they the think is required by
the Government not humiliating to them
as citizens, and that if such a course was
pointed out they would pursue it in good
faith. 1t is to be regretted that there can
not be greater comminglng at this time
between the citizens of the two sections,
and particularly of those intrusted with
the law making power. ..
did not give the operations of the
Freedmen's Bureau that attention would
have done if more time had been at my
disposal. Conversations ON the subject
however with officers connected with the
bureau, led me to think that in some OF
the States its affairs have not been con-
Quoted with good judgment or economy
and that the belief widely spread among
the freedmen of the Southern States, that
the lands of their former owner will, at
least in part, be divided among them, has
come from the agents of this bureau. This
belief is seriously interfering with the will
lingness of the freedmen to make contracts
for the coming year.
In some form the Freedmen's Bureau is
an absolute necessity until civil law is es-
tablshed and enforced securing to the
freedmen their rights and full protection.
At present, however, it is Independent OF
the military establishment of the country
and seems to be operated by the different
agents of the Bureau according to their in
dividual notions Everywhere General
Howard, the able head of the Bureau, made
friends by the just and fair instructions and
advice he gave but the complaint in South
Carolina was that when he left things went
on as before. Many, perhaps the majority,
of the agents of the Freedmen's Bureau ad
wise the freedmen that by their industry
they must expect to live. Ts this end
they endeavor to secure employment for
them, and to see that both contracting par
ties comply with their engagements.
In some instances / am sorry to say the
freedman's mind does not seem to be disa-
bused of the idea that the freedman has
the right to live without care or provision
for the future The effect of the belief in
the division of lands is idleness aud accumu-
lation in camps, towns and cities. In such
cases / think it will be found that vice
and disease will tend to the determination
or great reduction of the colored race. 1t
cannot be expected that the opinions
held by men at the South for years can
be changed in pay and Therefore the
freedmen require for few years not only
laws to protect them, but the fostering
care ofthose who will give them good
counsel and on whom they can rely. The
Freedman Bureau being separated from the
military establishment of the country, re-
quires ali the expense ola seperate orgini
cation. One does not necessarily know
what he either is doing or what order they
are acting under. ........ .....
1t seems to me this could be corrected
by regarding every officer on duty with
troops in the Southern States as agent OF
the Freedmen's Bureau and then have
all orders from the head of the Bureau
sent through department commanders
This would create responsibility that
would secure uniformity of action throught
the Southern, would insure the orders and
instructions from the head of the Buraeu
being carried out, and would relieve fro N
duty and pay large number of employ
ees of the government. have the honor
to be very respectfully your obedient ser
want,
U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General.
~ A militia officer wanted to compll
ment a negro by drinking with him.
"Well, captain, 1'zo berry dry, so | wont b.