The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-08-04
How to rInnngc tho Blacks.

" ~ ALEXANDER ii. STEPHENS.
How to Manage tho Blacks.
Correspondence ofUe Ne,o York Tine,.l
RIVERSIDE, NEAR BEAUFORT. s. o.,
FRIDAY, July 13, 1866
The last letter wrote spoke strongly Of the |
necessity OF throwing all the people South, but |
especially the blacks, upon their own resources in |
eli respects simply giving them protection and |
encouragement. Ifthis matter is carried too far,
touching protection the remedy will be as bad as
the disease; for the moment you touch upon what
they must be left to themselves, or you hinder
the growth of all selr-reliance, which can como
only through hard experience. The freedmen
seeing orders, issued by way OF protection from
anticipated evils which only be avoided
by experience and prudence, than in any other
way. But what is greatly needed for the protec-
ton of whites as we'll as blacks is system by
which all liens on property, whether real estate
sh in creditors
without knowledge OF previous pledges Of proper
ty. As it ia now, man can pledge his property
which works not only loss to honest creditors but
corruption as we'll 1t is Of grave importance
that il a person has obtained credit on his cotton
Of tho claim and the man who is responsible
should be publicly known. OF course such pro-
vision should be found among the civil regulations
present under mpracticable conditions Nv
see, as matters stand, how the thing works.
Such is the danger of crediting freedmen on their
chants OF standing who keep regular stores
in town, and make the sale Of merchandise
d h Senss he oss sssdy III s s'Sea 0 Be
stated in my last lotter, those freedmen who had
food advanced last year on their crops, whether
by Government or traders, are back again this
ear with tenfod more want and importantly for
the same credit, ready to pledge crop or land, and
| at any disadvantage Ofcourse, in every conmu-
whatever the opportunity, and who, when they
take risks take advantage accordingly, their only
object being to put money in the pocket no matter
year, cheated in weight cheated in making change
| in the purchase OF cotton, cheated in every way
they could, even to colusion with the blacks,
was carried on here, last year, under the in;
efficient regime OF General Saxton. And
such are the men who, this year, are
have made ample preparation to that end. They
proceed by giving no credit except on written
pledges of cotton or land. So far that is what
with thorough integrity. But now, they say, we
take great risks, and must charge accordingly;
and so, when hominy can be purchased for 81 the
two bnshel sack. they charge ss, or 81 the peck,
and other things of course in proportion. Well
what is the next step? Why, very earnest plead
ngs go up to the Assistant Commissioner, Gen.
Scott, for such arrangements as shall make
| freedmen abide by their contracts. Well, that is
right; but it would also be right if Gen eral Scott
should take it into his head to revise these con-
! tracts slightly. Or if they charge according to
risk. let them take the risk. You see it is good
business to buy up land of freedmen at the low
prices mo. now ruling, with hominy at 81 the peck
cure. Then soc what a premium this puts
upon stealing. Here is darkey who has pledged
goes. His debt is twice as large as he expected,
on account of the high charges. Such men will
be almost sure to have too little cotton. Their
land and home are dear to them, for they are
thei' all They will steal to make the amount Of
cotton good. The accursed rationing system,
which first got him into the habit of living beyond
cause of all this. and it will serve the whites in
tho same way. Now it is folly, the worst of folly,
to protect any man from the results of bad bar
FAX Gsn D66 Shoh Ejth hs wide
against which he makes extra, not to ssv sxtnr aa
pravens @ Hhafgss i The only healthy action is to
as may be; 1t would seem to me that until the
State shall act in the matter, all centres of trsde
IKE Beaufort should have registry estabiished.
connected with the Bureau, for the registerinG
! o. az! claims against property of the natnree
OF liens, mortgages, aud the like, together
with with the substances Ct the Contract upon which
statement Of the origin of the debt substantiallS
such system was established under the MiIitsryy
Goyernorshp but perished with it, think Then
Suiit SuGn Claims as the following would come to the
Hght, VIZ : q freedman wishes to borrow 500: he
binds himself-I am informed it is an actual ease
to furnish for it in the fall 800 pounds Sea leland
er at 65c; per pound stone, which is about 3S5c.
per pound glnned.a case where given amount
under knowledge OF what they are about. viii
make such bargains, they must be allowed to and
sut1er the consequences. But certain it is that
the regular merchants established in trade here
are mainly out Of this business OF fraud and over.
reaching; and certain it is that a large mass Of
freedmen freedmen are on the rapid way to abject worth |
and from practice Of charity in every respect
not strictly applied in Of most absolute need
Inc only remedy is to throw all relentlessly upon
enelr own resources, without distinction of color,
and gather the real paupers into poor-houses.
A. 8. II.
The Radical Riot In New Orleans.