Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-03-02

presents itself whether we are still engaged
in war? Let us not unnecessarily disturb the
commerce, credit and industry Of the coun-
try, by declaring to thaAmerican people and
to 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 au-
thority of the United States is disputed NV
Offences that may be committed by individ-
uals should not work forfeiture Of the rights
Of whole communities The country has re-
turned and is returning to q state Of peace
and industry, and the rebellion is, in fact, at
an end. The measure, therefore, seems to
be as inconsistent with the actual condition
Of the country as i issstt variance with the
Constitution of the United States
If passing from general considerations we
examine the bill in detail, it is open to weighty
objections. In time Of war it was eminent
ly proper that we should provide for those
who were passing suddenly from condition
of bondage to a state of freedom; but this
bill proposes to make the Freedman's Bureau,
established by the act Of 1865, as one Of the
many great and extraordinary military meas
ures to suppress formidable rebellion, a
permanent branch Of the public administra-
ton, with its powers greatly enlarged. [
have no reason to suppose, and do not IN
derstand it to, be alleged, that the act Of
March, 1865, has proved deficient for the
purpose for which it was passed, although at
that time, and for a considerable period there
after, the Government Of the United States
remained unacknowledged il most Of the
States whose inhabitants had been involved in
the rebellion The institution Of slavery for
the military destruction, Of which the Freed
mans Bureau was called into existence as an
auxiliary throughout the whole country by
an amendment Of the Constitution of the
United States, and practically, its eradication
has received the assent and concurrence Of
most Of those States in which it at any time
had an existence. am not, therefore, able
to discern in the condition Of the country
anything TO justify an apprehension that the
po1vos and agencies Of the Freednens Blu
roau, si,icll were fective for the protection
Of freedmen and o1fugees during the actual
continuance Of hostilitles and Of African SER
yitu3e. will now, in the dawn Of peace, and
after the abolition Of slavery, prove made
quate to the same proper ends. III am cor
rect in these views, there can be no nacessi-
ty for the enlargement Of the powers Of the
Bureau for which provision is made in the
bill
The third section of the bill authorizes
general and unlimited grant Of support to
the destitute and suffering sefaFees and freed
men, their wives 4 children. Succeeding sec
tons make provisions for the rentor purchase
of landed estates for freedmen, & for the cree
ton for their benefit Of suitable buildings for
asylums and schools, the expenses to be de-
frayed from the Treasury Of the whole peo-.
pie. The Congress of the United States has
never heretofore thought itself empowered to
establish asylums beyond the limits of the
District of Columbia, except for the benefit
of our disabled soldiers and sailors. It has
never founded such schools for any class Of
our own people, not even for the orphans o.
those who have fallen in the defence of the
Union, but has left the care Of education to
the much more competent and efficient con-
troll of the States Of communities, of private
associations and individuals. 1t has never
deemed itself authorized to expend the pub
lie money for the rent or purchase Of rooms
for thousands, not to say millions, Of the
white race who are honestly toiling from day
to day for their subsistence Asylums for
The support Of INDECENT persons in the Uni
ted States was never contemplated by the
authors Of the Constitution Nor can any
good reason be addueed why permanent es-
adjustment should be founded for one class
Of our people more than another. Pending
the war, many refugees and freedmen receig-
ed support from the Government, but it was
never intended they should henceforth be fed,
clothed, educated and sheltered by the Uni
ted States. The idea On which the slaves
were assisted to freedom was that on beconl-
ing free they would be a self sustaining pop
ulation. Any legislation that shall imply
that they are expected to attain a self-sus-
tanning condition, must have a tendency in
furious alike to their character and their pros
poets. The appointment Of an agent for ey-
cry county and parish will create an immense
patronage, and the expense of the numerous
officers and their clerks, to be appointed by
the President, viii be great in the beginning,
with q tendency steadily to increase. The
appropriations asked by the Ereedmen's Blu
reau, as now established, for the year 1866,
amount to ST., 745,0 eco. It may be safely
estimated 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 Administration Of the
second Adams. If the presence Of agents in
every parish and county is.to be considered
as war measure, opposition, or even resist
ance might be provoked, 50 that to give ef-
feet to their jurisdiction, troops would have to
be stationed within reach Of every one Of
them, and thus a large standing force would
be rendered necessary. Large appropriations
would, therefore, be required to sustain and
enforce military jurisdiction in every county
or parish from the Potomac to the Rio Grande.
The condition Of our fiscal affairs is encopr-
aging, but in order to sustain the present
measure Of public confidence, it is necessary
we practice, not merely customary economy,
but. as far as possible, severe retrenchment.
In addition to the objections, already sta
ted the fifth section Of the bill proposes to
take away land from its former owners with.
out any legal proceedings being first lad,
contrary to that provision Of the Constitution.
which declares that no person shall be de-