The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-02-24


bitants had been involved in the rebellion!
The institution Of slavery, for the military
destruction Of which the Freodmsn's Bu-
reau was called into existence as an aux
iliary, has been already effectually and
finally abrogated throughout the whole
ton OF the United States, and practically
its eradication has received the assent and
concurrence Of most of those States in
which it at any time had an existence. I
am not, therefore, able to discern, in thei
condition Of the country, anything to jus.
tify an apprehension that the powers and
agencies Of the Freedmen's Bureau which
we're effective for the protection of freed
men and refugees during tho actual con-
tinuance OF hostilities and of African
servltude, will now, in time Of peace and
after the abolition of slavery, prove made
quate to the same proper ends. If am
correct in these views, there can be no ne
cessity for the enlargement Of the powers
OF the Bureau, for which provision is made
The third section of the bill authorizes
general and unlimited grant of support to
the destitute and suffering refugees and
freedmen, their wives and children. Sue
ceeding sections make provision for the
rent or purchase of landed estates for
freedmen, and for the erection, for their
benefit, of suitable buildings for asylums
and schools-the expense to be defrayed
from the treasury of the whole people,
The Congress of the United States has
never heretofore thought itself empowered
to establish asylums beyond the limits of
the District of Columbia, except for the
benefit of our disabled soldiers and sail
ors. It has never founded schools for any
class for our own people-not even for the
orphans Of those who have fallen in the
defence Of the Union, but has left the care
of education to the much more competent
and efficient control of the States, Of COM
mun1t1es, OF private associations and of
individuals. 1t has never deemed itself
authorized to expend the public money for
the rent or purchase OF homes for the
thousands, not to say millions, of the white
race, who are honestly toiling, from day to
day, for their subsistence. system for
the support Of INDECENT persons in the
United States was never contemplated by
the authors Of the Constitution; nor can
any good reason be advanced why, as a
permanent establishment, it should be
founded for one class or color of our peo-
pie more than another. Pending the war,
many refugees and freedmen received sup
intended that they should henceforth be
fed, clothed educated and sheltered bv the
United States. The idea on winch the
slaves were assisted to freedom was, that,
on becoming free, they would be a self
sustaining population. Any legislation
that shall imply that they are not Expected
to attain self-sustaining condition, must
have tendency ini urious alike to their
character and their prospects
The appointment of an agent for every
County and Parish will create an immense
patronage; and the expense of the numer-
GUS officers and their clerks, to be appoint
cd by the President, will be great in the
beginning, with a tendency steadily to in
crease. The appropriations asked by the
treedmen's Bureau, as now established,
for the year 1866, amount to sl1,745 900.
1t may be safely estimated that the cost to
be incurred under the pending bill will re-
qulre double that amount-more than the
entire sum expended ia any one year under
the administration of the second Adams.
If the presence of agents in every Parish
and County Is to be considered as war
measure, opposition, or even resistance,
might be provoked 80 that, to give effect
to that jurisdiction, troops would have to
be stationed within reach of every one of
them, and thus large standing force be
rendered necessary. Large appropriations
would, therefore, be required to sustain
and enforce military jurisdiction in every
County or Parish from the Potomac to the
Rio Grande. The condition of our fiscal
affairs IS encouraging; but, in order to
confidence, it is necessary that we practice
| not merely customary economy, but, as
| far as possible, severe retrenchment
| In addition to the objections already
stated, the fifth section of the bill pro-
poses to take away land from it's former
being first had, contrary to that provision
Of the Constitution which declares that no
person shall ''be deprived Of life, liberty or
property, without due process Of law"
it does not appear that part of the
land to which this section refers NAV not
be owned by minors or persons Of unsound
mind, or by those who have been faithful
70 all their obligations as citizens Of the
United States. If any portion Of the land
Is held by such persons, it is not eompe-
tent for any authority to deprive them of
1T. If, on the other hand, it be found lat
the property is liable to confiscation, sven
then 1t cannot be appropriated to public
purposes until, by due process of law, it
shall have been declared forfeited to the
Government.
There is still further objection to the
bill, on grou--, seriously affecting the
class OF persons to whom it is designed to
bring relief. 1t will tend to keep the mind
OF the freedman in state Of uncertain
| expectation and restlessness, while to
those among whom he lives it will be
| source OF constant and vague apprehen-
| sion.
Undoubtedly the freedman should be
protected, but he should be protected by
the civil authorities, especially by the ex-
erclse OF all the constitutional powers Of
| the courts OF the United States and of the
States. His condition is not so exposed as
may at first be imagined. He is in por-
ton Of the country where his labor cannot
we'll be spared. Competition for his SER
vices from planters, from those who are
constructing or repairing railroads, and
from capitalists in his vicinage or from
other States, will enable him to command
almost his own terms. He also possesses
q perfect right to change his place of
abode, and if, therefore, he does not find
in one community or State mode of life
suited to his desires, or proper remunera-
! ton for his labor, he can move to another,
where that labor is more esteemed and
better rewarded. In truth, however, each
State induced by it's own wants and in