The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-03-01

| to be considered as q war measure, op.
position, or even resistance, might be
provoked, so that to give effect TO their
jurisdiction, troops would have TO be
be stationed within. reach Of every
one of them, and thus large standing
force be rendered necessary Large
appropriations would, therefore, be re-
quired to sustain and enforce military
Jurisdiction in. every county and par.
ish from the Potomac to the RioGrandc.
The condition of our fiscal affairs is en-
couraging, but, IN order to sustain the
present measure of public confidence,
1T is necessary that we practice, not
mere customary economy, but, as far
as possible, severe retrenchmcnt.
T. In addition to the objections already
stated, the fifth section Ofthe bill pro-
poses to take away land from its for
mer owners, without legal proceedings
and is contrary TO that prnvision of
the Constitution which declares that
mo person shall be deprived of life,
liberty or property, without duo pro-
cess Of law" Ii does not appear that
the lands. to which this section refers,
may notbe owned by minors or persons
of unsound mind, or by those who
have been faithful to all their obliga.
tions as citizens of the United States.
If any portion ofthc land is held by
such persons, it is not competent for
any authority to deprive them of it,
II. on the other hand, it be found that
the property is liable to confscation,
even then it can not be appropriated
to public purposes until, by due pro.
cess OF law, it shall have been declared
forfeited to the Governments
There are still further objections to
the bill, on grounds seriously affecting
tho class of persons to whom it is de-
signed to bring relief. 1t will tend to
keep the mind Of the freedman in o
state ofuncertain expectation and rest
lessness, while 10 those among whom
he lives it will be a source of constant
and vague apprehension ULdoubted-
lly the freedmen should be protected;
but they should be protected by the
civil authorities, especially by the ex-
ercise Of all tho constitutional powers
of the courts of the United States and
of tho States His condition is not so
exposed as may at first be imagined.
He is in portion Of the country where
his labor can not we'll be spared -
Competition for his services from plan
tcrs, from those who ere constructing
or repairing railroads, or from capi-
taIists, in his vicinity, or from other
States, will enable him to command al
most his own terms. He also possesses
q perfect right to change his place of
abode, and if, therefore, he does not
find in one community or State modo
of life suited to his desires, or proper
remuneration for his labor, he can
; move 70 another where labor is more
esteemed and better rewarded. In
truth, however, each State, induced by
its own wants and interests, will do
what Is necessary and proper 10 retain
within its borders all the labor thai is
needed for The development Of its re.
sources. The laws that regulate sup
ply and demand will maintain their
force, and the wages of the laborer will
be regulated thereby. There is no
danger that the great demand for la
Dor will not operate in favor Of the Ia
borcr. Neither is sufficient consider
alton given to the ability of the freed
men to protect and take care of them
selves. 1t is no more than justice to
them to believe that, as they have re-
ceived their freedom with moderation
and forbearance, they will distinguish
themselves by their industry; and they
feel, and will soon show the world,
that in condition of freedom they arc
: self sustaining and capaple ofsclecting
their own employment and their own
places of abode, Of insisting, Tor them
} selves, on proper remuneration, and
of establishing and maintaining their
own asylums and schools, 1t is earn
cstly hoped that instead of wasting
away, they will, by their own efforts,
establish for themselves a condition of
} responsibility and prosperity, 1t is
certain they can attain TO that condi-
: ton. only through their own merits
and exortons. In this connection the
query presents itself, whether the sys-
| tom proposed by tho bill will not, when
put into complete. operation, practical
ly transfer the entire care, support and
control Of four millions of cmancipatcd
slaves TO agents, overseers or task
masters, who, appointed at Washing
ton, are to bo located in every county
and parish throughout the United
} States containing freedmen and recu-
gees. Such a system would inevitably
: tend to such concentration of power
in the Executive as would enable him,
if so disposed, to control the action Of
a numerous class, and use them for the
attainment Of his own political ends.
/ cannot but add another very grave
objection to this bill. The Corstitu-
tion impcratively declares, in conncc.
ton with taxation, that each State
shall have at least one Representative,
and fixes the rule for the number 10
which in future times each State shall
: be entitled. 1t also provides that the
Senate of the United States shall be
! composed of two Senator'S from each
State, and adds, with peculiar force,
that no State, without its consent, shall
:. DO deprived Of its suffrage in the Sen
ate. The original act was necessarily
passed. in the absence of the States