Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-10-19
FREEnNEN.s AFFAIRs.
Ex-GOV. Holden Addresses the Negro
Convention az Raleigh.

New York, Oct. 17.-Ex-Gov. HOLDEN,
of North Carolina, addressed the Colored
Educational Convention at Raleigh, North
Carolina, on the 9th inst. Speaking of the
duties and relations Of the black and white
races at the South, he said the true interest
of the colOred race was to cultivate the
friendship Of the whites, and the whites
would also find their true interests in doing
Justice to the blacks, and in cultvating their
friendship. The colored people were enti-
tied to all their civil rights, and would have
them The common government would see
to that if necessary, but he did not believe
such necessity would ensue. He hoped it
would not.
South Carolina had just passed a law
doing full justice to the colored people in
this respect. No one thought Of or proposed
social equality between the two races. So
ciety would always take care of itself
He urged the colored people to keep off
politics. 1t was WEAKNESS to the flesh
among the white people. They had not yet
demonstrated their capacity for self-govern-
ment, and would not until the Union was
restored and our liberties consolidated on
the everlasting rock of truth and justice.
AFFAIRS IN LoUIsIANA-REPoRT OF GEN.
SHERIDAN.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17.-Maior General
Sheridan, commanding Department of the
Gulf hasl transmitted to General Howard.
Commissioner of the Freedmeu's Bureau,
report of the condition of the freedmen in
Louisiana for the quarter ending Sept 80,
1865.
The General states the prospects of the
cotton crop are looking gloomy. The con-
tinued heavy rains of August and the early
part of September, together with the APP
pearanee of the army or cotton worm in
many portions of the State having seriously
affected the interest, not only of the freed
men, but Of the entire population of the
State.
Many employers whose entire crops have
been destroyed will not be able TO pay their
employees, and there appears to be a general
desire TO get rid Of the responsibility Of any
longer maintaining their employees, every
pretext being sought for discharging them.
Many Of the freedmen who engaged to work
Sor share Of the crops will be left not only
destitute Of the means ofsupport the coming
winter, but will be in debt 70 the owners of
the lands for supplies advanced to them du-
ring the summer. Complaints are frequent
that the freedmen, after having labored faith
fully from tae date of contracts. January
LIST, 1866 until the crop was ready to harvest,
are being discharged and driven away, o.
tensibly on the ground of having been in
solent
There are frequent reports Of cruelty to
the freedmen, particularly in the northwest
parishes, where men go through the country
at nigh, and takefreedmen from their homes
and whip and otherwise maltreat them.
HOmicides are frequent in some localities.
Some times they are investigated by a coro-
ner's jury, which justi6es the act in some in
stances, and releases the perpetrators.
In other cases, when the proof comes to
the knowledge Of the agent Of the Bureau,
the parties are held to bail in a nominal
sum. bat the trial of white man for killing
Of freedmen can in this existing state of so
siety in the State be nothing more or less
than farce
The total suspension of the issue OF rations
will cause much distress among a limited
class of people in the State, the wives and
children of those men who entered the ser
vice Of the United States after the capture Of
New Orleans, and who were killed or have
since died. In all the charitable appropri-
atoms by the parish authorities these per.
sons are excluded, and il is not seen how
they can support themselves without aid
from the Bureau.
The location Of homsteads by the freed
men is progressing tavarably, but it is ques-
tiOnable whether the freedmen will be al
lowed to remain peaeeably on the lands.
The contract system as adopted by the
Bureau in the State, has proved 70 be well
adapted TO the interest Of both planters and
freedmen.