The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-07-04
G. II a r l. E S T @ N.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JULY 4, 1866.
10 TIE POOR FREEDMAN!


We have scarcely taken up paper during
the past twelve months in which was not re-
corded some knavery, of which the innocent
and unsuspeoting freedman was the victim.
This is perhaps not surprising, when oil the
circumstances of the case are considered, but
"pity tits, tits true" The negro, by nature,
is slow and dull, trustful and oonfiding, affec-
tomato withal. He is ignorant and credu-
lous, and though man in years, very often
only child in intellect. Prudence, frugali-
ty, economy and forethought are virtues to
which ho can lay no claim. A vast number
of them never reach the years of discretion.
The negro is by nature inclined to religion,
not to say to superstition, and large influ-
ence may be welded over him by means OF
this engine. His infantile mind is easily in
famed by vanity, and he likes to be oon-
sidered of consequence. While he is slow to
anger generally, he is demoniac once his
passion is aroused, acting without reason, and
not exercising the slightest self.eontrol.
We have here set forth only some of the
more salient points of the character, ,-suff-
oient, however, to show that it is one that
will repay the student of human nature for q
full and attentive perusal. The mine has at
tracted a vast number of "students,D and the
industrious explorers have dug to some pur-
pose, as may be seen set forth at great length
in the voluminous reports of Generals STEED-
MAN and FULLERTON.
We there find that men from the North.
officers and civilians, bureau agents snd pri-
vate citizens, laymen and olergy,-whatever
their difference in social status, religious
creed or political opinions,-have nearly all
seemed to agree in one point, and that is
to make use of their sojourn in the South for
a more thorough eluoidation of the vexed sub
ject of ethnology. This has been the great
aim and objeot,-ever held in view. And
accordingly we find that their zeal has not
been misdirected, and that their arduous la
bors have met with abundant reward. They
60 home, enriched not only with abstract
treasures of knowledge, but their pockets
lined by the acquisition of concrete green
backs. Others, finding chat the study Of
colored character is of such a profitable na.
ture, make haste to come out to these heather
lands, to 60 and do likewise.
The trustfulness of the poor freedman is
abused by designing and unprincipled per-
sons. This is a matter of such daily occur
renee that it were useless to adduce instances.
We will allude to few we'll known cases,
however, to satisfy Charity herself, who is
slow to think evil:
Case l. Colored troops on duty in this de-
partment during the past year made frequent
complaints of the fact that their white off,
GERS made habit of borrowing money from
them, and afterwards did not repay the same.
This was carried on to such an extent that at
last it was brought to the attention of the
General in command of the post We OBJ
tanned these facts at the time they occurred,
but perhaps might find some difficulty in
proving them now, as the General comm and
ing has left the post" and, we are informed by
Generals STEEDMAN and FULLERTON, "took
his papers with him, to put himself all right
at Washington"
Case 2. BurLER's Colored Savings Bank.
This has been so extensively discussed in the
newspapers that we need 90 into no minute
explanation of that fraud.
Case 8. A few months ago gentleman
from Massachusetts" contracted with about
one hundred and fifty freedmen and their
families, in Richmond, to procure them lucra.
tive situations in and about Boston. He was
to pay their passage, and they paid him
triae of five dollars each, "just as matter of
FORM" to clinoh the bargain. The poor ne
groes made great preparation, went to the
steamboat at Rockets in O mournful pro-
oession, with bag and baggage, when 10 the
gentleman from Massachusetts," turned I'D
missing The steamboat agent knowing moth
ing about them, the deluded freedmen had to
return, wiser but not happier men. The said
gentleman" had swindled them out of about
i've hundred dollars, "just as q matter of
form.n
Case a is thus described in recent mum.
ber OF tho New York Daily News
'The Freedmen's National Bank, swindlinp
institution, established somewhere on the sea-.
coast OF South Carolina by an enterprising Boston
hrm, mas come to grief. It appears to bave been
one OF the most barefaced swindles ever praotioed
even upon the much-loyed African. A correspond-
ent OF an exchange SAWS that the notea yyara