Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-01-05

States are anxious to return to self-govern-
ment within the Union as soon as possible ;
that whilst reconstructing they want and re-
quire protection from the Government that,
they think, is required by the Government,
and it is not humiliating. to them as citizens;
and that if such course was pointed out they
would pursue it in good faith. It is to be
regretted that there cannot be greater COM
mingling at this time between the citizens of
the two sections, and particularly Of those en-
trusted with the law-nlaking power. ! did
not give the operations Of the Freedmen's
Bureau that attention / would have done if
more time had been at my disposal. Con-
versations, however, on the subject, with
officers connected with. the bureau, led me to
think that III some:of the States its affairs
have not been conducted with good judgment
or economy, and that the belief widely spread
among the freedmen Of the Southern States
that the lands Of their former owners will at
least in part be divided among them, has
come from the agents Of this bureau This
beliefs seriously interfering with the wiling
ness of the freedmen to make contracts for
the coming year. In some form the Freed
mems Bureau is an absolute necessity until
law is established 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 individual
notions. Eyerywhep Gen. Howard, the
able head Of the bureau, made friends by the
just and the fair instsct;ons and advice he
gave. But the complaint in South Carolina
was that when he left things went on as be-
fore. Many, perhaps the majority Of the
agents Of the Freednlan's Bureau, advise the
freedmen that by their own industry they
must expect to live 70 this end they en-
deavor to secure employment for them, and
to see that both contracting parties comply
with their engagements In some cases, !
am sorry to say, the freedman's mind does
not seem to be disabused of the idea that the
freedman hes the right to live without care OF
provision for the future. The effect Of the
belief in the division Of the lands is idlenesS
and accumulation in camps, towns and cities.
In such cases think it will be found that
vice and disease will tend to the exterinina-
ton or great destruction Of the colored race
{ It cannot be cxpected~that the opinions held
by men at the South foryears can be changed
in day. And, therefore the freedmen re-
quire for a few years not only laws TO pro
tect them, but the fostering care Of those who
will give them good counsel, and on whom
they can rely. The Freedmen's Bureau be-
ing separated from the military establishment
of the country, requires all the expense Of q
separate organization. One does not neces-
sarily know what the other is doing, or what
orders it is acting under. 1t seems to HE
this could be corrected by regarding every
officer on duty with troops in the Southern
States, as agents of the Freednen's Bureau,
and then have all orders from the head Of
the Bureau sent through the department COM
manders. This would create responsibility
that would create uniformity Of action
throughout the South, would insure the or
ders and instructions from the head Of the
Bureau being carried out, and would release
from duty and pay large number Of en-
ployees Of the Government.
| have the honor to be, very respectfully
your obedient servant,
u. S. GRANT,
Licutenant-G General.