The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-04-26

| incnt delegation for the Union. ] could
| designate particular counties in that way
1 throughout the State, showing that there
was nothing like a sectional orgeograph-
ical div on of the State in question,
@. In what particular did the people
believe their Constitutional liberties
were assailcd or endangered by the
Union? A. Mainly, l would say in
their internal social polity, and their
apprehension from the general consoli-
dating tendencies of the doctrines and
principles Of that political party which
had recently succeeded in the choice Of
President and Vice President of the
United States. 1t was The serious ap.
prehension that if the Republican or
ganization NJ then constituted should
succeed to power il would lead ultimate
ly to virtual subyersion Of the Consti.
tuition of the United States and all its
essential guarantees Of public liberty.
| think that was the sincere, honest con
yiction in the minds of our peoplc.--
Those Who opposed secession did not ap.
prchcud that any such result would
necessarily follow the elections which
had taken place; they still Thought that
all their rights might be maintained ia
the Union. aud under the Constitution,
especially as there were majoriiies IN
both Houses who agreed with them on
constitutional questions.
@ TO what feature Of their internal
social policydid they npprehcnd dagger
A. Principally the subordination Of
the African racca itc1isteG under their
laws aud institutions.
Q Ia Whist spirit is the emauciPa
ton Of the slaves received by the PEG
pie A Generally il is acquicsocd in
aud accepted think 10 perfect good
faith aud with disposition to do the
best that can be- done in the new order
Of things IN this particular.
q What at present are the relations
subsisting between the white people
and black people especially In the rcla-
tions Of employer and employed ! 4
Quite as good, I think, as 10 my part
Of the world that ever have been 10,
between like elisses Of employer aud
employee The condition Of things in
this fesucct o0 ms rctu last fall, was
yerf different from what II was when !
len home for my prc'cut visit to this
city During the fa!l, and up 70 the
chose Of the year thcEo was a general
apsuIop prevailing among the eGlorcd
people that at Christmas there would
he a division Of the lands, and very
general indisporilion on their part to
make any contracts at an for the pres
cot year Indeed there were very few
contracts. | thnt. made throughout
the State until aRcS Chr tmaa, Or abont
ihe lst Of January Gen. 1lllEen, vho
i- AZ the head Of the bureau 81 the
State. aud Vhue administration hiss
giEcn yor, general sa.islac ion 20 our
people iliuk, Was very active 10 dua-
busiug the minds ~ the colpred people
from their error in this particular llc
yisitgd quito o number Of places 40 che
State abd addressed large audiences Of
colorcd people aud when they becsm,
satisfied that they were labotiug under
a mistake in anticipating division OF
laals after Chri, mas, aud the 1t oil
January. they made contracts very rca.
dhy generally aud since that time Of.
fairs have. 10 the main, moved on quite
smoothly and quietly
q Are the negroes generally at
work 4. Yes, sif, they are generally
NJ work. There arc some idlers, but
this class constitute bu, small proper.
ton.
q What. upon the whole, has been
their conduct, Proper, under the cir.
cumstaBccs 10 which they have been
placed or otherwise! A. As a whole
much better than the most hopeful
looked for
q A. far as you know, what arc the
leading objects and desires Of the negro
population at the present time ia refer
enee 70 themselves A. IL is to be
protected in their rights Of person aud
property--to be dealt BY fairly and
justly
O. What, If anything, has been
done by the Legislature Of Your State
| for the accomplishment these objects
( A. The Legislature has passed an act
for that purpose.
@ Docs this act express the opin'
ions Of the people, aud will IT be sus'
tanned z A. think it will be sustain.
/ ed by the courts as well as by public
sentiment. Mr. Stephens then refer
red to letter written by him on tho
9Th of the present month, in evidence
of the tone Of the Legislature and PEG
/ pie of Georgin'on the subject.
@ What, ii anything, is being done
in Georgia, with regard to the education
of the negroes, either children or adults
A. Nothing by the public authorities
as vet. Schools are being established
in many portions Of the State, under
the auspices, think, of the Freedmen
Bureau and quite a number by thu
colored people themselves, encouraged
by the whites.
q. What disposition do the negroes
manifest in regard to education I a
There seems to be very great desire
ON the part of the children and younger
ones, aud with their parents TO have
them educated.
O. What is the present legal condi
ton of those who have lived together