The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1866-03-01

If itbe asked whether the reaction
Of such a tribunal within State is war
ranted as measure of war, the ques-
tion itnmea aateiy presents itself, wheth-
, err we are engaged in war. Let us
not unnecessarily disturb the commerce
and credit aud industry Of the country
by declaring to .he American people
and the world. that the United States
are still in condition of civil war. At
present there is no part of our country
in which the authority of the United
States is disputed offenses, may be
committed by individuals, but should
not work a forfeiture of the rights of
the same communities. The country
has entered, or is entering, to 2 state Of
pea e and industry, and the rebenion
is, iii fact, at an end. The measure,
therefore. seems to be in consistent with
the actual condition of the country as
| it is al variance with the constitutions of
the United States. .'.... A.. .' . .@35#..
Ifpassing from general considera-
tions, we examine the bill IN detail, it
is open to weighty objections. In time
Of war it was e'ninently proper that we
should provide for those who were
passing suddenly from condition of
b bondage to a state Of freedom. This
bill proposes to make the freedmen S
bureau, established by an act of l 1854,
as one Of many great and extraordinary
military measures, to suppress a FORM
idable rebellion, a permanent rranch OF
public administration, with its powers
greatly enlarged. l have no reason to
suppose, and l do not understand it to
be alleged that the act Of March, 1865,
has proved deficient for the purpose
f r which it Has passed; although at
that time, and ior, a considerable period
thereafter, the Government Of the
United States remained unacknowleg-
ed in most of the States whose inhabi.
tants had been involved in the rebellion.
The institution of slavery, for the mill
tary destruction of which the treedmcn's
bureau was called into existence as an
auxiliary, force, has been rlready effect.
ually and finally abrogated throughout
the whole country by amendment of
the Constitution of the United States.
anl practically, its eradication has Ie.
cci7ed the assent and concurrcnc of
most of those Sites in which it at any
time had existed.
| am not able therefore to discern in
the country anything to justify an APP
preparation. The powers and agencies
of the freedmen's. bureau, which were
effective for the protection OF the freed
men and refugees durirgthe actual con
tinuation of ho tilities and Of Aflcap
servi,ude will now in time Of peace and
after the abolition Of slavery prove in.
adequate TO the same ends. If | am
correct i'll these views there can be no
necessity for the enlargement of the
powers of The bureau, for which proyis.
ion is made in the bill.
The 3d section of the bill authorizes
a general unlimited amount OF SUPPORT
to the destitute and suffering refa .ees
and freedmen, and their wives and chill
drcn. The laws that regulate the sup
ply and demand will maintain III, ir
force aud the wages Of the laborer will
be regulated thereby. There is no dan
ger that the great demand for labor will
not operate in favor of the laborer.
neither is sufficient consideration gwen
to the freedmen to protect and take care
of themselves. 1t is no more than ius.
tice to them to believe that as they hav.
received their freedom with moderation
and forbearance, SO they will distinguish
themselves by their industry, and they
will feel and soon show the world that
in condition of freedom they are self.
sustaining and capable of selecting their
own employment and their own place of
abode, insist for themselves on prop
.er remuneration and of establishing
and maintaining their own asyulms
and schools. 1t is earnestly hoped that
instead Of wasting away they will by
their efforts establish for themselves a
condition ofrespect, ability, aud pros.
perity. 1t is certain that they can at.
tain to that condition only through their
own merits and exertions.
Succeeding sections make provisions for
the rent or purchase Of landed estate. for
freedmen, md for the erection for their ben.
sfit of suitable buildings for asylums and
and schools, the expenses to be defiayed
irosl the treasury Of the whole people.
The Congress of the United States has
never hetetolore thought itself compet. mt to
establish any laws beyond the limits of the
District of Columbia, except for the benefit
of our disabled soldiers and sailors. 1t has
never founded schools for any class Of our
own people, not even for the orphans O! those
Who have fallen in defence of the Union,
bnt has left the care of their education to
the much more competent and efficient con-
troll OF the States, of communities, Of pri-
yate associations, and of individuals. 1t
has never deemed itself authorized to ex-
pend the public money for the rent or pur.
chase OF homes for the thousands, not to
say millions, Of the white race who are hon
estly toiling from day to day for their sub
sistence. A system for the support of ind-
gent persons in the United States was never
contemplated by the authors of the Consti.
tuition, nor can any good reason be advanced
why, as permanent institution, it should
be founded for one class or color of our pco-
pie more than for another. $780,
Pending the war many refugees and freed
men received support from the Government,
but 1t was never intended that they should
henccforth be fed, clothed, educated and
sheltered by the United States. The idea
on which the slaves were assisted to freedom
was that, on becoming free, they would be a
seli-sastaining population. Any legislation
that shall imply that they are not expected
to attain self-sustainlig condition must
nave a tendency injurious alike to their char
acter and prosperity. The appointment. of
an agent for every county and parish will
create an. immense patronage and expense
ThsA ntlpn off a.