Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-11-22
SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM.

From the Richmond Times.
With the advance Of the present year to
its conclusion, the problem of free labor in
the South assumes new proportions of i'm
portance. The results Of the expenditure of
tbe present year, both on the part Of the
nlanter and the freedmen will be summed
mn. guided by data furnished by the expert
ence of twelve months Of previous trial. In
Virginia we have watched with eager and
curious interests the workings of that system
which has been forced upon us. To our own
observations in order 10 test their correct
ness, we add the conclusions Of Others, whose
practical skill and knowledge as farmers,
eminenty fl them for the formation OF cor
rect opinions.
SO far as Tide-Water Virginia is concern
cd. 20 which portion Of the State our knowl-
edge aud Investigations have been confined,
the results Of the trial with free labor, with
negroes As the laborers, have not been, IN
the main, satisfactory. There are ol course
exceptions, but the burden Of evidence IN
clines the other way. The great bulk OF
farmers in Eastern Virginia, from what we
can learn, are not encouraged to nope any
thing more than bare subsistence from a
renewal Of their experiments with freedmen.
But the question of renewal or continuance
does not res. altogether with the farmers.
The freedmen are developing a desire 70 get
away from all contact or Identification Of
interest with the white man. Thistendency
was manifested at the close Of last year and
the commencement Of the present. by the
reluctance of the freedmen TO contract as
hired laborers for wages; the word with
Cuilee then was, % uork lands on tie share Of
tLe crop. and although under this system the
farmer furnishes the land, the teams, agri-
cultural implements, feed for the animals,
taxes and seed, and the freedman only his
labor and finding-although we say, under
this system Cutlee got half, and much the
larger half Of what was made, yethc exhibits
DO disposition to try work in this way again.
Look for moment at the steady and per-
sistent efforts OF the freedmen 10 dissolve all
connection with their late owners; First,
they refused 10 work for wages, and insisted
ON working for a share Of the crop, the OBJ
iect being 10 escape the control and surveil-
lance Of the white man, though the position
might be assumed by their voluntary con-
sent now they are disguised with the share
system, aud all over the country they are
ciamorous to rent lands and work them
altogether on their own hook. Cuilee has,
perhaps, made enough out Of the farmer
during the present year TO buy an old horse
or mule wherewith 10 run a single plow, and
having this start he deems that by renting
land and working il himself, and for himself
alone, he will strike an agricultural II Do
rado of perennial existence. From this the
next progressive step will be 20 save enough
10 buy about ten acres of poor land to be
held in fee simple; then good bye TO Cuilee
a. a laborcr.
We submit 10 the farmers Of Virginia IL
this Is not a true picture OF the tendency OF
events? And here We see how our labor
will be lost; the negroes will, at the earliest
practical moment place themselves in a
position where they can live like dogs or
hogs. and steal wi,a impunity, free from the
eve or interference Of the white man. Hav-
ing no idea of the moral obligations Of a
contract, thcv regard its legal enforcement
by the employer (although they knowingly
and voluntarily assumed lis duties, as q
hardship and tyranny. Hence they viii no
more OF contracts. unless compelled thereto
bv dire necessity. With the strong, intelli-
cent and humane arm Of the white man no
longer unfolding them, they are inevitably
drifting nom the paths Of civilization and
usefulness And the phenomena OF an I'M
prccedentedly short cotton crop and OF
Threatened famine in portions ct the South,
explained by the lights which NC have
sought 60 throw upon this subject are no
longer matters of amazemCnt The negro
has always resisted civilization, and Il Is not
strange that as soon as his fanatic friends
furnished him an opportunity to get away
from H. that lac should gladly avail himself
Of every means Of obcying his ineiinaiions
f.afannfa