Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-09-05
PUBLIC LEDGER.
A PROBLEM.


"unsolved problem" is the question
whether the white people of the South
will work. This problem, in the opinion
of the Tribune, succeeds that other, but
now solved problem, will the blacks
work ?? The latter, the Tribune asserts,
is no longer debatable 1t is answered
in the affirmative Perhaps SO. But it
is not answered in manner to solve the
real problem which was, not whether or
not the blacks would work, but whether
or not they would work in that continu-
Gus and effective manner which alone
could render their labor of any yalne.
For ourselves we have never doubted
that even this question would ultimately
be decided afiirmatively, If only the per
nicious influence Of Radical connsels
could be nullifed But one year has not
shown anything more than that under
the inspirations Of bad teachers, false
friends. evil counselors, and the Freed
men Bureau, the negroes do not labor
in way that gives much hope for
speedy .resuscitation of prosperity As.
for the nonsense about wantonly killing
them, cutting their ihroats for fun, and
shooting them by way Of diversion, in
which the Tribune indnlges, we can sim
ply dismiss it as too absurd for notiee.H
Twice as many negroes have been killed
in riots at the North as ever were killed
through popular violence at the South.
As to the other problem, suppose we
answer it by asking Mr.. GREELEY one or
two questions. That gentleman says:
But will the Southern whites work 2
That is more difficult problem. As a
class, work is not in their line, They
were not trained 10 it, and they don
like it. They believe work good thing
for niggers. but bad for whites, especially
in the sunny South. gk5esnscle
Now the Southern blacks stand TO
Southern society in precisely the rela-
ton, as to manual labor, in which the
Northern working people stand to Nor
thern society. The Southern whites are
TO Southern society just what the mer-
chants, editors, doctors and other pro-
fessional men, and employers generally,
are to Northern society Let as just
change the application of the above SEN
fences quoted from the Tribune, and let
them read thus " But will the Northern
editors, doctors and other professional
men, and employers generally, work Z
That is a more difficult question. As a
class, work is not in their line. They
were not trained 10 it, and they don't
ike it. They believe work good thing
for draymen, brick-layers, factory opera
tives and butcher boys, but bad for mer-
chants, editors, clergymen, etc, espe-
cially in the frozen North.
Is not this fair Statement Does it
involve any injustice towards the editors,
doctors, merchants and employers gene
rally of the North2 Suppose that, from
some cause or another. the laboring peo-
pie of the North were TO quit work-or
suppose it TO be feared that they would
Quit work-conld We rely on Mr. GREE
LEY to drive dray down South street,
or on Mr.. BRYANT to stand at the tail Of
pillow, or on Mr.. STEWART to sweep
Broadway, or on Mr. SPRAeUE to go out
to day work in factory Should we
find the nimble spectators Of the gold
room suddenly converted into indus
trious bricklayers or respectable journey
men carpenters, or the merchants Of
Broad street into hardworking porters
and draymen, or the thousands Of ex-
quisite youths who parade Broadway and
the Fifth avenue into farm laborers
Have they been trained to it7 Do they
like it9 Would they do it7
But as to the South, we can assure
Mr.. GREELEY that the white people
have, wherever it was necessary, devo-
ted themselves to work with an energy
and q zeal which bid fair to make up for
deficiencies elsewhere. Througbout the
country the planters may be seen work
ing side by side with the negroes. whilst
the women give TO domestic duties the
time which their Northern sisters devote
to gossip and Irritation The small plan
tiers work now as they always have
worked. and the large planters. in the
alluvial districts. perhaps do more actual
manual labor than any other class Of
employers in the country. 1t IS very
true that many young men who have
been brought up in the towns and edE-
Gated with a view to professional o.
-.-..,,;Is life are ont Of employment,