Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1866-03-02


color Of otf people more than for another.
Pending the wal many refugees and freed
men received support from the Government,
but it was never Intended that they should
henceforth 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 self-sustaining populatian. Any legisla-
ton that shall imply that they are not
expected to attain a self sustaining condi-
ton. must have a tendency injurious alike
to their character and their prosperity.
The appointment of an agent for every
county and parish will create an immense
patronage, and the expense ofthe numer-
Gus officers and their clerks, to be appointed
by the President, will be great in the
beginning, with tendency steadily to
increase. The appropriations asked by the
Freedmen's Bureau, as now established,
for the year 1866, amount to 81, las 900.
1t may be safely estimated that the cost to
be incurred under the pending bill will
require double that amount, or more than
the entire sum expended in any one year
under the administration Of the second
Adams.
Ifthe presence of agents in every parish
and county is to be considered as war
measure, opposition or even resistance
might be provoked, so that to give effect to
their jurisdiction troops would have 10 be
stationed wilhinreach Of every one ofthem,
and thus Nfge standing force be rendered
necessary. Large appropriations would,
ther - guired tosustain and enforce
miIi<0 5urisdir sion in every county and
parish from the Potomacto the Rio Grande.
The condition of our fiscal affairs is en-
couraging, but in order TO sustain the
present measure of public confidence, il is
necessary we practice not merely customary
economy, but as far as possible severe re-
trenchment.
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 declares that no persons
shall be deprived of life, liberty or property
without the process of law. 1t does not
appear that lands 20 which this section
refers, may not be owned by minors, OF
persons of unsound mind, or by those who
have been faithful to all their obligations
as citizens of the United States. If any
portion OF the land is held by such persons
il is not competent for any authority t(
deprive them of it, Ii, on the other hand
il DE found that the property is liable tc
con6scation, even then it cannon be appro
praied to public purposes, until, by due
process of law, it shall have been declared
forfeited by the Government.
There are still further objections to th'
bill, on grounds seriously affecting thu
class Of persons to whom it is designed I,
bring relief 1t will tend to keep the mint
Of the freedman in state Of uncertain
expectation aud restlessness. while to those
among awhom be lives, it will be a source
of constant and vague apprehension. I'm
doubiedly the freedmen should be proiec
ted, but they should be protected by th,
civil authorities, especially by the exercise
Of all the Constitutional powers of th'
courts of the United States and of thu
States. His condition is not so exposed
rs may at first he imagined. lie is in
portion of the country where his labor
cannot well be spared. Competition fol-
his services from planters, from those who
are constructing or repailing railroads. OF
from capitalists in his vicinity, or from
other States, will enable him to command
almost his own terms. lie also possesses
perfect right TO change his place of abode
al 4. -.
community or S:ate mode of life suited
to his desires or proper remuneration fol
his services, he can move TO another, where
labor is more esteemed and Letter reward
ed In truth. each State, induced by its
own wants ard interests, will do what i.
necessary and proper to obtain within i''
borders all the labor that is needed for the
development of its resources. The laws
that regulate supply and demand will main
tain their force, aud the wages of the la.
borer will be regulated thereby. There j:
no danger that the great demand for labor
will not operate in favor Of the laborer
neither is suffice I consideration given to
the ability of u - freedmen to perfect and
take care Of themselves. Ii is no more
than Justice TO them to believe. that US
they have received their freedom witt
moderation and forbearance, SO they vii
distinguish themselves by their industry
and they will feel and soon show the world
that in condition of freedom, ney ms
self sustaining and capable Of selecting
their own employment and iscir owl
places of abode; OF insisting for themselves
on proper remuneration, aud OF estab'
lishipg and maintaining their owr asylumi
aud schools. 1t is earnestly hoped tha
instead Of wasting away, they will, by thell
own efforts, establish for themselves ;
condition Of respcctabiliiy aud prosperity
1t is certain they can attain to that condi
lion, only III. ough their own merits ane
exertions.
In this connection the query presents
itself whetherihe system proposed by thu
bill will not, when put into complete ope
ration, practically transfer the entire care
support and control Of four millions o
emaucipa,ed etaves 10 agents, overscers o
taskmastcrs, who, appointed at Washington
arc to be located in every county and parlsl
throughout the United States containing
freedmen and refugees; such system woul'
inevitably tend to such concentration oil
power in the Executive, which would ena
BILE it, il so disposed. to control the actor
of numerous class, and use them for thu
attainment Of bis own political ends.
/ cannot but add another very grave
objection to this bill. The Constitution
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