Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-10
RICHMOND WING.
WEDNESDAY, MORNING. Ian. 10, 1866.
The Test Of the NegrOs Fitnsss iOr FreedOm


The world wants the evidence that the ne
groes are worthy of the freedom that has been
bestowed upon them. That freedom, to hu
man eyes, appears to be what an English Chan
cellor once called q" the accident Of an acci
dent" Ii was not the original design OF the
North in entering upon the war; it certainly
was not the design Of the South. But PrOyi-
dence, whose ways are inscrutable, made that
war the means Of the emancipation Of the ne
grOes, and after II was commenced, the North
resolved that it should not terminate until that
object was achieved. No war, perhaps, in the
tide Of time, was ever commenced with 50 in
adequate a conception, o. both sides, Of the
colossal proportions II would assume, and Will
so utter an absence Of forecast as TO results
In looking back, there appears TO have been no
craftsmanship, no wisdom, no torethought, in
the beginning. Whether il was that each party
thought the other playing a game Of braggar-
tism and intimidation, and was not really ia
earnest; or whetheri was that Providence, as m
days Of old, COMPOUNDED the wisdom OF the
wise, making il as ioOlishneSs, We cannot say ;
but certain it is that no war was ever under
taken with so imperfect conception or its ulti-
mate magnitude, incidents aud results.
So viSibly was the hand Of Providence in the
main results Of the war, that we should accept
them as the will Of the Supreme Being, and
submit to them with As much cheerfulneSS as
the abolition Of slavery, and there are few who
do not iOresee that the time is not tar distant
when the South will realize more benefit and
PrOft-speaking in a material sense only-fron
being without than with slaves. We were, not
long since, much struck with the manner IN
which the Albion concluded an article on the
subject of emancipation. 1t said" al thin
considered, zee heartily congratulate he ,chite
man. We hesitate IN respect 10 the black"
Whether blessing or a curse, the black man
has his freedom, and upon his own conduct de-
ponds the solution of the problem. We would
not dishearten him, or throw any additional i'm
pediments in his already difficult pathway-on
the contrary, we feel a kindness for Sambo and
his banjo, and would take pleasure in aiding
his efforts. But we must say that, in our
Judgment, no has seen his hsppiest days. His
troubles commence with his freedom; nor are
they likely to end, or be lesSened at all, with
the concession to him of suffrage. Ills fitness
for freedom has now to be tested, and we do
seem, when we say that the eyes of the world
are upon him. lIe humble SambO, is this
moment the most conspicuous actor upon the
stage Of the world. His role is that Of the vol
untary labOrer. Kings, Presidents, Cabinets,
Parliaments and the people of many nations
are regarding him with an interest that the
white laborer would essay in vain to excite.
His debut is what, in theatrical language, is
called brilliant all the harm We wish him is,
that his exit may be accompanied by the same
applause.
This occasion is big with the ate of the ne
gro for all time. lie may live long, but be
will never again obtain such an august audi
euce as he now enjoys. Ii he proves himself
to be- unworthy OF the interest he now eXciteS,
unfit for freedom, and incapable of filling the
position OF a voluntary loborer, the interest of
the world will be lost, forever lost, and he will
sink out Of sight and De forgotten. Fanati-
cism, even, requires some pabulum to sustain
it, OF eventually it must die
1t is, therefore, in the highest degree impor-
tant To Sambo that he shall well act his part,
and show himself 'Sorthy Of the sympathy he
has excited, and OF the freedom vouchsaied to
him. We will give him some friendly hints,
which, if hee,led, will prove highly beneficial.
Let him 60 to work in earnest, seeking re-
spectacle man rs his employer, and making,
under the advice of some intelligent aud
friendly person (such he can readily lind if he
has been a faithful servant Affair." labor contract
for one year. Let him behave himSelf'and not
sacrifice his real, substantial interests to
ridiculous and staggering assumption OF indie
pendcnce and selt-importance. II he works
faithfully and dcports himself properly, he will
make a friend OF his employer aud will be sure
Of steady work.
There is one convincing mode by which the
freedmen may show their fitness for freedom,
and by which they may establish their title to
the good opinion of the world. 1t they will
seek employment, go to work, and make the
NV'"e t'"f'N ~ '"'''''' ''''5''' , ''N' > 'N~ > ~
and corn that they made Iohen they 'cere Siares,
ersrybody erery,rhere, lrH KNOB Il, and they
,oiR md ,uirerSal .fdUor. The world watches
these crops with solcitude, and seeks for them
with great avidity. Ii knows precisely how
much OF each of these crops was made under
the system of slave labor, and will find out
how much will be made 10y the labor OF the
freedmen. BY this result the freedmen will be
dom will be determined.