Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1866-02-21

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Innn1unnnnnDsGlxA1D DuuU0uIu
which were effected for the protection Of
Freedmen and Refugees during the actual
continuation Of hostility and Of African
servitudA will nowin time Of peace and
after thd abolition slavery, Prov enadi-
qunte to yhe same purposes.
II l an correct IS these vie&s usre can
be no necessity ~ the enlafemeot Of The
powers OF the Bureau for which provisions
are made 10 the bill. The third section Of
the bill authorized sgeneral and unlimited
amount of support to the destitute and
suffering Refugees and Freedmen and their
wives and children. Succseding sections
make provisions for the rent or purchase
of landed estates for freedmen and for the
erection, for their benefit, OF suitable build.
ings Tor ssylums and schools, the expenses
to be betrayed from the treasury OF the
whole people. The Congress Of the United
States has never heretofore thought itself
competent to establish any laws bey0 nd the
lisnils VI lhs Disarics Of Columbia, exceps
Tor the benefit Of our disabled soldiers and
sailors II has never founded schools for
any class Of our people, not even for the
orphans OF those who have fallen II the de
fence VI the Union, but has lett the care oi
their education 70 the much more competent
and efficient control Of the States. Of com
munties Of private associations, and Of in
dividuals. II has never deemed itself an
thorized TO expend the public money for the
rent or purchase OF homes for the thous tnds,
not To say mi lions Of the white race who
are honestly toiling from day to day for
their subsistence. A system for the support
OF INDECENT persons in the United States was
never contemplated by the authors Of the
Constitution, nor can any good reason BE-
advanced why, as a permanent establish
mcnt, 1t should nc founded for one class o.
our people more than tor another. Pend
ing the was many refugees and freedmen re
cciycd support from the government but IL
was never intended that they should hence.
forth DC ted clothed, educated and sheltered
by the United States The idea on which
the slaves were assisted to freedmen, wa
that on becoming tree they would be self
sustaining population. Any legislation that
shall imply that they are not expected TO At
lain self sustaining condition. must have
a tendency injudicious alike to their charac-
ter and their prosperity.
The appointment of al agent for every
county and parish will create an immense
patronage, and the expense Of the numesous
Oil GERS and their clerks To be appoiDt.d
the President will be great In the s.sy'' "
with "A tendency steadily 70. l@es~ aiming
appropriations asked by tLs F. Ase. The
reau AS now cstablishf~ .eedmen bu
amount TO $ll, As,v Or the year looo
cs,imated that iAs -. 1t may De saiely
thr pendiuy - .ost,o be Incurred under
amount, w' Al VIII require doubic una
IN any ,rc than The cntlrc sum expended
III. one year under The administration
ne second Adams Ii the presence Of
gents in every parish and county IS to b,
considered us war measure, opposition, OF
! even resistance might be provoked, so tina
tp give effect to ,hcir Jurisdiction, troops
| ~onli have To be stationed within reach o
every one of them, and thus large standing
| iorcc be rendered necessary. Large appro
| priasons would therefore be required to sus
ain and enforce military jurisdiction il
| every county and parish IRON the Potomac
10 the Rio Grande. The condition of on
| financial affairs is encouraging, but in orde
| I" sustain the present measure oil pubic con
| hience 1t IS necessary that we practice no
merely customary economy. but go far u
| possible severe retreuChincnt.
In addition to the objections alread,
l stated. the 9TH sc etion of the bill propose
| 10 take away lard from owners without an,
legal proceedings being first Ind, contrary I
Luat provision of the Constitution whic
life, liberty and property without due pro
cess OF law 1t does not appear that land
to which this section refers may not be owl
| ca by minors or persons of unsodnd mind
or by those who have been faithful to the
| obligations as citizens of the United State
If any portion Of the land is held by sue
| persons il is not competent Tor any autho
| lty to deprive them oil it. II on the otht
hand it he found that the property be lab
| to coniiscatiOn, even then 1t cannot be al
propria,cd to public purposes until by dr
| process of law it shall have been declare
forfeited to the Government.
There are still further objections to I'll
| bill on the grounds seriously affecting I'll
class ofpersons to whom it Is designed |
bring relief Ii will tend to keep the mine
II the freedmen in IA state of uncertain e.
: | pectalion and r,stlessness while TO thos
among whom lie lives it will be q source
| constant and vague apprehension.
Undoubtedly the freedmen shOnld he pr
, cclcd, but they should be protected by Il
: ivil authorities. and especially by the e.
, | eicisc of all the constitu onal powers of II
| courts Of the United tates. HIS cOndtiu
:, Is not So exposed as may AT first he imagll
| ed. He is IN IA portion OF the country whcl
MS labor cannot well be spared. Compcl
non ior his services from planters, troI
: hose who are constructing or rcpairln
y railroads, or from capitalists IN his viclnli,
ar from other States will enable him I
| command almost his own terms. He ais
?, | possesses n peflrr; right to change his plac
I olsaboGc, and ii, therefore, he does not fin
III one community or State mode ot Ill
| suited To his deserts or proper rcmuneratio
, for his labor he can move to another whcr
, | labor is esteemed and better rewarded. l
i
own wants and interests, will do what is n,
| ceSsary and proper Ia retain within lis bo
lers ali the inNor that is needed for the d.
velopnenl oi It's resources The laws tbs
q regulate supply and demand will maIntal
! ,hcir io'cr, and the wages of the lahore
. viii be Ir4u ated thereby. There is no dal
ger that il.c great demand for labor vi
not operate in favor of the laborcr Neilhe
is sufficient consideration given 10 the abb
ity of the Iruclmen to protect and take Car
oi themselves. 1t Is no more fha n Justice I
them 10 believe that as they have receive
, their freedom With moderation and fol
ncarancc so they will distinguish them
selves by their industry, and soon show ia
world that in y condition of freedom the
ire seli-susaining ard capable Of selccin
their own employment ana their own place
oI abode, OF insisting Tor themselves on
roper remunelatson. and of estahislin
and maintaining their own asylums an
-chools. It's earnestly hoped that instca
, Of wasting away, they will 10y their effort cs
iablish for themselves condition of res
reliability and property. 1t is certain tina
| they can attain to that condition onl
| through their own merits and cxertions
In this connection the query presents i,
self whether the system proposed by the bill
will not, when put into complete operation
| practically transfer the entire care, supper
| and control OF Tour millions 81 cinancipal @.
slaves to agents, overseers or task master
! who appointed at Washington are to he 10
Gated in every county and parish Throughout
the United States containing freedmen an,
refugees. Such system would eneytabl
tend 10 such conservation power in ti
Executive which would enable him if SO dis
posed to control the action Of numerou
class and use them for the attainment OF Iii
own political ends.
cannot but add another very grave Oh
lection 10 this bill. The Constitution i'm
peralvely declares in connection with taxa
ZION that each State shall have ut least on
representative, and fix,s the rule for Thu
/ 81. g.,t.,