Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-02-20

and efxicient control of the States, Of comm uni.
ais 1t has never deemed itself authorised 10
e1pend the public money for the rent or pur-
chase of homes for the thousands, not to say
millions, OF the white race who are honestly
toiling from day to day for their subsistence 4
system TOR the support OF INDECENT persons in
the United States was never contemplated by
the authors of the Constitutions nor can any
good reason be advanced why, as permanent
establishment it should be founded for one
class or color Of our people more than for an
other.
Pending the war, many refugees and freed
men received support from the Government
but 1t was never Intended that they should
thenceforth be fed, clothed, educated and shell
tered by the United States. The idea on which
the slaves were assisted TO freedom was that on
becoming free they would be self-sustaining
population. Any legislation that shall imply
that they are not expected to attain self. sus-
tanning condition must have tendency bnju-
rious alike 10 their character and their pros
poets The appointment OF an agent for every
county and parish will create an immense pa
troDage, and the expense of the numerous off,
GERS and their clerks, 10 be appointed by the
President, viii be great in the beginning, with
a tendency steadily to increase. .''-'-
The appropriations asked by the Ereedmen's
Bureau, as now established, for the year 1885,
amount to &l1,745,0O0 Ii may be safely esti-
mated that the cost to be incurred under the
pending bill will require double that amount
more than the entire sum expended in any one
year under the administration of the second
Adams II the presence Of agents in every
parish ana county is TO De considered as A war
measure, opposition, or even resistance, might
be provoked, so that to give effect to their iu-
risdiction troops would have TO be stationed
within the reach Of every one of them, and thus
a large stanCing force De rendered necessary.
Large appropriations, would, therefore, be re-
CURED to sustain and enforce military juris-
dichen in every county or parish from the
Potomac TO the Rio Grande.
The condition of our fiscal affairs is encour-
aging, but in order to sustain the present
measure OF public confidence II is necessary
that we practice, not merely customary econ
omy, but, as TAR as possible, severe retrench-
mPnt. ..'1'. .....
In addition to the objections already stated,
the fifth section of the bill proposes to take
away land from its former owners without any
legal proceedings being first had, contrary to
that provision of the Constitution which de-
clares that no person shall 'be deprived of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of
law" 1t does not appear that a part of the
lands 10 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
obligations as citizens Of the United States II
any portion of the land is held by such persons
II is not competent for any authority to deprive
them of it. If, on the other hand, II is found
that the property is liable to confiscation, even
then ii cannot be appropriated to public pur-
poses until by due process Of law il shall have
been declared forfeited to the Government
There is still further objection to the bill on
grounds seriously affecting the class OF persons
to whom it is designed TO bring relief 1t will
tend TO keep the mind Of the freedmen in
cSa
while to those among whom he lives il will be
source of constant and vague apprehension.
Undoubtedly the freedman should be pro.
tected, 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 may at first be imagined
He is in portion of the country where his
labor cannot be spared. Composition for his
services from planters, from those who are
constructing or repairing railroads, or from
rhny
States, will enable him to command almost his
own terms. He also possesses a perfect right
10 change his place OF abode, and it, therefore,
he does not find in one community or State a
mcde Of life suited TO his desires, or proper re-
muneration for his labor, he can move to an
other where that labor lie more esteemed and
better rewarded. In truth, however, each
State. induced by its own wants and interests
VIII do what is necessary and proper TO retain
within irs borders all the labor that is needed
Tor the development Of its resources. The
laws that regulate supply and demand will
maintain their force, and the wages of the la
borer will be regulated thereby. There is no
danger that the exceedingly great demand for
labor will not operate in favor OF the laborer
Neither is sufficient consideration given TO
the ability of the freedmen TO protect and take
care OF themselves. 1t is no more than Justice
to them to believe that, as they have received
their freedom with moderation and forbear-
ance, so they will distinguish themselves by
their industry and thrift, and soon show the
world that in a condition of freedom they are
self-sustaining, capable of selecting their own
employment and their own places OF abode; Of
insisting for themselves on a proper remune-
ration, and of establishing and maint tanning
their own ylums and schools. 1t is earnest.
ly hoped that instead Of wasting away, they
selves a condition Of respectability and pros
perity. 1t is certain that they can attain 10
that condition only through their own merits
and exertions. In this conAection the query
presents itself, whether the system proposed
by the bill will not, when put into complete
operation, practically transfer the entire care,
support, and control Of four millions Of
emancipated slaves TO agents, oyerseers or
taskmasters, who, appointed at Washington,
arc 10 be located in every county and parish
throughout the United States containing freed-
men and refugees. Such a system would in.
evitabiy tend to q concentration of power in
the Executive, which would enable him, il so
disposed, TO control the action Of this numer.
Gus class, and use them for the attainment of
bis own political ends.
cannot but add another very grave obiec.
tion to this bill. The Constitution Imperative.
ly declares, In connection with taxation that
each State SHALL have at least one Represen-
tatiye, and fixes the rule for the number TO
which, in futurettimes, each State shall be en-
ltieu. IL also provides that the Senate Of the
United States SHALL be composed Of two
Senators from each State, and adds, with De.
culiar force, "that no State, without its con
sent, shall be deprived OF it's equal suffrage in
the Senate" The original act was necessarily
passed in the absence Of the States chiefly to
be affected, because their people were then
conIumaciouslye engaged in the rebellion. Now
States are attending Congress by loyal Repre-.
sentatiyes, soliciting the allowance of the con.
stitutional right for representation. At the
time, however, of the consideration and the
passage Of this bill there was no Senator or
Representative in Congress from the eleven
States which are ~ be mainly affected by its
provisions.
The very fact that reports were and are
made against the good disposition Of the peo-
pie OF that portion of the country is an ad-
dinonal reason why they need and should
have representatives OF their own in Conrres
to explain their condition, reply TO accusations,
and assist by their local knowledge in the per.
fectng OF measures Immediately affecting
themselves. While the liberty Of deliberation
wonld then be free, and Congress would have
full power to decide according to its Judgment,
there could be no objection urged that the
states most interested had not been permitted
10 be heard. The principle Is firmly fxed in
me minds OF the American people that there
should be no taxation without representation.
Great burthens have now to be borne by ali
the country; and we may best demand that
ihey shall be borne without murmur when
they are voted by a majority OF the representa-
uyes OF all the people. would not in
terfere with the unq Questionable right of Con.
gress to judge, each House for itself, "of