The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-20

irritating causes were removed, 1t ~ould
not be six months before the feeling be-
tween the Northern and Southern men
would be softened, and restoration OF
harmony would be hastened. The We
ry necessities of our condition require
it. We would find Northern men
bringing their capital and industry
among us, and they would be vel
coined. Labor and capital we must
have. The negro is defective as la
borer. There was even under the old
system deficiency Of labor at the
South.
TREATMENT OF THE NEGRo.-He is
not held responsible for what has hap
pened. A kindly feeling exists towards
him. The disposition is to provide for
his necessities and secure his rights,
and thus make him cheerful and re-
liable laborer. It is believed to be the
interest of the employer to do this 1
know of some who provide teachers and
preachers. No ouside interference is
necessary. This is no new matter with
us. We have had free negroes in all
time. There were some thee hundred
thousand at the South before the war,
and half as many at the North. Our
treatment of them was never com
planned of. No charges of that Kind
came even from the North. When l
was at the head Of the United States
Census Office, in 1853, I compared the
condition of these people in both sec
tions, and published the results. The
advantage in education and property
was largely in favor of the Southern
freedmen. Some of our freedmen
owned large plantations and slaves,
many were extensive property holders.
If without outside pressure this was
the case then, why not now? Why
should we change? What policy, to
say no more, would be subserved !? We
can do right now as well as then, and
will do it. &C..
EMANCIPATION AS COMPARED WITH
SLAvERY.-If the negro works up to
the former standard, the present sys-
tenn is cheaper. 1t is too soon to de-
eide whether he will work. A Summer
must come and 60. They work very
well so far generally, though the women
are not disposed to field work. Upon
the mere money question the South
would be benefited. If we can get the
labor it will be cheaper to hire than to
own the negro. A plantation could be
worked with little outlay.
EFFECT UroN THE NEeRo.-Emanci-
patton will prove disastrous to him. l
Judge that from the experience Of other
countries, and not from any we have
yet had. I Judge by this thriftless
character, and disposition to crowd into
the cities and towns. 1t is what l sec
all over the South. In the suburbs
everywhere you will see them crowded
in miserable shanties, eking out very
uncertain subsistence. The mortality
among them has been frightful.
CIVIL R1GHTs TO THE FREEDMEN
There is willingness to extend every
right whatever except that Of suffrage.
He is not thought fit to exercise that
Were he to vote, his inclination would
be on the side Of his employer; but
that might, and perhaps would be,
counteracted by emissaries sentinto the
country. Northern men who have
come to the South since the war very
generally think as we do in these mat
ters. They say they found our expe-
rience worth more than their theories.
The negro is not thought to be suscep-
tible of much education. People rather
smilo at the attempt to educate them;
there is no opposition to it, however
Schools for them are multiplying. I'm
der slavery they we're taught on the
plantations Bible lessons, prayers,
hymns, catechism, etc. The opinion is
growing among us everywhere, that it
will be for our interest, at least, to af-
ford every facility Of education. That
is my opinion clearly.
RIGHT OF SEcEssroN.-I never doubt
ed the existence of this right, but am
satisfied by the results of the war, and
regard it utterly useless and hopeless
to assert any such right again. The
event of the war was distinct pronun-
i citation against the exercise Of the right,
and final settlement Of the question.
! Our people are better satisfied since
the experiment has been made, and
have nothing to regret. They have
lost everything, but not, as they think,
honor.
I am perfectly satisfied that the peo-
pie of the South have given up all ideas
of secession. Leaders and people Of
all classes Of opinions agree upon that
subject.
! A Jealous husband being absent from