Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-02-09
THE FREEDMAN's BUREAU.

The Bill for the extension of The Freedman'e
Bureau, which passed the Senate, few days
since, by a vote of 81 10 10, and which prom
ises to become a law, if not vetoed by the Pres.
ident is one Of the most radical measures of the
present Session-in direct conflict with the re.
construction policy Of the adm inistration, pref
ndicial to the best interests of the South, and
incompatible with tho early restoration Of the
Southern States to their just rights in the Fed.
eral Union.
The FIRST section of the bill provides that the
Freedman's Bureau shall be continued until
otherwise provided by law that it shall ex-
tend to freedmen and refugees in the section
covered by the late rebellion (so-called y that
the President may divide this section INTO
twelve districts, and with the conseut of the
Senate. appoint IN assistant Commissioner fo,
each district. or army officers may be detailed
for these duties without increase Of pay. SEQ.
tion second provides for the division of eacl,
district into sub districts, not 20 exceed the
number Of counties or parishes in State; that
each sub.distl let shalliiase, at least one agent
II anotacer without additional pay and if a
:, citizen or enlisted man al a compensation of
fifteen hn4qdred dollars per annum. Over all
President and the General Commissioner shall
exercise military supervision and protection.
Tho third section provides that the Secretary
OF War shall issue provision., clothing fuel and
other supplies for the destitute refugees and
freedmen. The fourth section provides for the
setting apart of three millions of acres of the
public lands in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana,
Mississippi and Arkunsas, which the Commits.
sloner shall parcel out under the direction of
the President, in lots not exceeding forty acres
'each' to the loyal refugees aud freed,ren, wi th
the privilege to the parties occupying the lands,
of purchasing, in fee simple at their estimated
value. The fl fth section, and that which cspecal
~ affects the rights of property holders in the
lower part OF this State, provides that the oc.
cupanta OF the sea islands Of South Carolina,
Georgia and Florida, and strip Of the main
land nextthe sea shore. thirty miles wide, un.
der General Sherman's order, dated January
18th, 1868, shall be confirmed in possession for
three years from the date of said order-in 9TH
er words for two years yet to come. The sixth,
section ne If in anticipation of a sale and sur
render by the owners. authorizes the Com
missioner to buy the lands to be sold to the
blacks At cost and to build asylums. and school
houses for INDECENT freedmen Other sections
of the bill provide for the enforcement of the
civil rights of the blacks, against all lava ma
king determinations against them on account
of color.
such are the main provisions Of tho Senate
Bill for the enlargement Of the Freedmens Blu.
feau; the functions of which are only to cease
with the full restoration Of the Southern States
to their OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES with the eener.
Il! government The objections To- the bill are
manifold, and so patent that he that sruns NAV
read" It .Perpstuates in onr midst a foreign
power, repugpRnt to the spirit Of freemen, and
Incompatible with the rights of the states-a
military Jnrsdiction inconsistent with the eniov
msnt OF civil rights, and alone applicable to
the condition of q conquered people. It aggra.
Yates The very evils, it is designed TO remedy
fosters the prejudices of RAGE and color, and of.
fers premium upon, idlepess and vagrancy
among the liberated blacks. Above all il in
a1'ct' unjust and partial con6scation of the prop.
'erty OF small portion of our citizens, num-
Der OF whom are unoffending women and chill
dren. As it has been well,remark ed by Gov
ernor Orr, in his lite letter to the President in
reference to 'this bill, there is no reason that.
the planter on the coast, should be deprived of
his property, whilst another in the upper dis
tricts 10 sutfercd to remain ia undsturbed pos.
session. That letter PRESENTS a forcible state.
ment of the evils whieh have already resulted
to the interests or tho lower section of s'tbe
State from tho intfod odustions of Ire -bill..oon-
6rmi1g as Il does The belief, that :ths whole
coast region OF South Carolina; Is TO Be conas-
eatsa .Sor fJ,n ~ At;stfnG sn Ind -