The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-01-27
THE FREEDMEN,s BUREAU.

1t is rather amusing to read from time to
time, in the newspapers, the Geographic and
other statements roundly put forth to show
the vast efficacy of that modern Republican
institution yclept the Freedmen's Bureau
During the summer, adroit puffs passed over
the wires almost daily from different points,
informing the public that the negroes, under
Bureau tutelage, were doing fine work in the
cotton fields o. their late masters. They were
reported to be filling and picking to such an
extent, that the cotton-buyer if he had been
green) might have looked for fall in the
price Of the staple.
But cotton went ON rising, after the Bureau
crop was gathered; and the buffers of this be-
nevolent institution have fallen back upon q
more general style of commentator. Decla-
rations are put forth in one quarter, and
another to the effect that the operations of the
Bureau are proving highly beneficial in par
tieular communities; and the inference is, that
Congress ought to sustain and enlarge its pow
ers
Now we, who live in TIE South and are
cognizant of the operations of the Bureau in
various quarters, regard all such putfs ard
of such an establishment may be administered,
it cannot but be productive of injury, politi-
cally and socially Its definition and punish
ment Of crimes on the part f the blacks, are
r
by the laws for the whites, and milder. For
an offence which would render white man
liable to imprisonment in the penitentiary for
a term of years, the negro often escapes with
a light fine, Or few weeks confinement with
in some military prison-bounds
The caprice of the officer representing the
Bureau may define crime and affix its punish
ment; may act as the sovereign arbiter be-
tween white and black; may disregard all
precedent and establish a new idea system of
justice-probaby one varying according TO
the notions of some inconsistent administers
tor fuctuating with every new appointment
How can such state of things continue
without producing unmitigated evil The
black race will not begin to settle down to its
bearings, so long as it is the foster-child of
Mars, and is amenabe to different tribunals
from the white; and the seeds Of discordance
that are now sowing, may produce a harvest
of trouble for future generations.
Let Congress withdraw this Bureau at the
time originally intended. Meanwhile the
Legislatures of the several Southern States
will have passed suitable laws for the protec-
ton and good conduct of the negro in the new
status in which be is found, and it is far bet
ter (apart from the constitutional right of the
easel that the State tribunals should not be
interfered with in dealing with all classes Of
the inhabitants.
The Southern people thoroughly understand
the nature of the negro, and they are disposed
to treat this ignorant class with all due con-
sideration. Their future task will be much
r1agnifed, and their sympathy for the race
proportionately diminished, if the African is
to be made the pet Of political philosophers
the prey Of pretended philanthropists, and the
victim of such decisions as are now taking
root in his brain under the operations of his
sheltering Bureau