Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-03-01
@radford geporter.
Towanda, Thursday, March l, 1866.
THE CONDUCT OF THE SOUTH TOWARDS
THE BLACKS.

pie are extremely unWlSc III their conduct
towards the blacks. We speak of the peo-
pie of the South in general, for there are,
we are glad to say some noble exceptions
to the general rule 1t is now settled fact
that slavery is abolished, and it is hardly
possible for any contingency to arise that
will change the results. The States which
combined under the Constitution. To- put
down the rebellion, will never again allow
this fearful danger, and horrid evil. to grow
up. Whatever aggression may be neccs-
sary to arrest its growth-and no matter
what Is thought of thiS-the peope of the
free States will not hesitate to accomplish
it and the sooner the old shareholders see
this clearly, the better for all concerned.
So that whatever hopes are indulged, or
whatever schemes are alloat for the re-es-
tabishment Of slavery. Let it bc under
stood, once for all, that these hopes will be
disappointed, and the scheme frustrated
There is an amazing unwillingness mani
tested by the majority III the late rcbeIlous
States, to recognise the freedom of the
blacks ; and still greater unwillingness
to do justice to them in matters pertaining
to their civil rights, and social comforts
Aside from the fragrant injustice of all this,
there is an absence of good sense, or prac-
teal wisdom about it, that should alarm
their statesmen. The more race. or class
of people are oppressed, the more degra-
ded they become and the more degraded
they are the worse for society This is
reason, and it is the experience of the hu-
man family since the world began. What
then do the legislators of South Carolina
expect to gain from their laws denying to
the negro laborer the same rights which
the white laborer enjoys? If the former is
not allowed to make contracts for work
when and where he pleases he will likely
do Just as the latter does and that is. 90
where he can have these privileges or
else, not work at all, and if they go off, or
do not work, they will steal their living or
become paupers. So that, in any event,
they will infict injury upon the community.
What the Southern States now want is la
Dor They need this more than all else, to
restore their wasted fields, their ruined
homes, and their wonted prosperity Will
labor remain, or come there, and exert it
self when the laws discriminate against it ?
Why the reverse Of this invaribly holds
good labor will only go where ii is want
ed, where it is appreciated and where the
remuneration is good. Then, willing hands
are more profitable, than unwilling ones
Besides, laws enacted by capital to Cypress
| labor begets antagonism, and this is fatal
to the interests of both Tnes2 PROPOSE
tions are all plain truths, long since rnvolv-
ed by the experience Of society Indeed
the whole totality of facts, and tendencies,
on this question, lead but one way, and
that is in the opposite direction from the
policy Of the Southern States: and while
we can make full allowance for the prciu
diccs which former conditions, and customs
engcndcred, it is, nevertheless, marvellous
to us, that the southern people ar" so short
sighted
Never has the sun dawucd Oh a section
OF the globe more abounding in the mater.
ials Of wealth than the States lately in hos
tlilty to the government All that is nee
essary for the conversion Of these materials
INTO wealth, IS the we'll directed industry OF
man. lhe south, too, has laborcrs OF the
charac cter required by her climate and pro
] ducu"ns and N such numbers as t" meet
her necessities. All she needs to restore
/ her waste, ana make her latter glory great
er than the lormer, Is 10 secure the appica
iIoh "t hcf labor I" her material resources
/ Inc problem, III Its general and specific
CHARACTER Is 'ho simplest problem OF Socla
science, ller Pfac'icai question Is, what
1 Shali we "o To make Tie negroes a content
co. ViftnonS ana industrious peasantry
mus IS iiot question "l p"litlcS ont so
''al one Anu we nave case IN hano
""Ioh 'PuS eho"6" points III" 0"nlh III 'he
/ rI@ht dlfec'ioh III h"r present problem o
! the reorganization OF her political system