The Portland daily press., 1866-05-12

uoeS lHIicuidIely diIer Tie teGO anu uOpeieSs
defeat ofthe Freedmen's Bureau bill, it is es.
pecially grateful to all loyal people and we
trust and fully believe that the people will I'M
animously and unhesitatingly support Con-
gress in the stand it has taken.
1t is scarcely needful for me to say that ev-
cry man who bore arms against the govern
ment now curses the Radical Congress with
the usual volubility Of Southern gentlemen, tie
thread of whose verbosity
...Spinnet out to a much greater extent
Than the staple Of their argument"
1heard certain man, who held commits
sion in the Confederate army, denouncing en-
the steps OF church in town, last evening, n
terms to say the least unfit to issue from the
mouth OF gentleman, much less Christian,
the radical Congress, and the passage of the
Civil Rights bill over the veto, and immediate
ly after saw him enter the church and engage
in the devotional exercises of the meeting.-
The abuse was profane and vulgar, such as we
would naturally expect to hear from the broth
ell and bar-room, and not from a church. do
not state this as of frequent occurrence; but
certainly it is not unfrequent, and as straw
shows the direction of the wind
The property of prominent rebels has been
restored in this section, in most instances;
but as the military force does not choose to
evacuate, many of them, like Micawber, are
waiting for something to turn up" ere they
can gain possession. The condition of the
freedmen in this State is more satisfactory
than could be expected. As general rule
they contract to labor cheerfully and readily.
Those who favor the new order of things uni
formly testify that the negro works even better
than when aslave. Many of course maintain
that they are lazy and shiftless. 1t would be
strange indeed if many were not; for certain
ly they have had most worthy examples set
before them all their lives; and surely their
old masters have taught them in vain if now,
like children they do not improve upon the
lessons of their lifetime. The treatment is
perhaps better in this State than in some 9TH
er Southern States. There are of course cases
OF abuse and wrong, but think comparative
ly few; and this think accounted for in a
measure, in that the slaves were, before the
war more humanely treated, than in other
States.
There is observable an undercurrent of in
tense bitterness, which manifests itself most
Enthusiastically when occasion offers. The re-
moval of the military would undoubtedly be
the signal for much oppression and abuse of
both Union and colored men. This would
come from the lower class of people, which is
the only class to be feared. This however is
sufficient to accomplish much harm, for when
the mob takes the law into its own hands, the
civil authorities are powerless, unless the mill
itary sustains them.
The colored schools are in a satisfactory
condition. They are fully attended, and the
children manifest great aptitude in learning,
and the teachers are faithful and laborious.-
1t will prove long and arduous task to raise
these poor down-trodden people in the scale OF
civilization. But patience and perseverance,
will. feel confident, accomplish the great
work, and many who now are working for that
end will live to see this great mass of brutal
lied humanity become good and useful mem
bers of society.
Maine men are quite numerous in this town,
active, energetic, and stirring. People from
New England, who contemplate coming South
mnst make up their minds to endure many in
conveniences, and pay dearly for what they
get If they feel sure that hot sun, sand
banks and swamps, feas, mosquitoes, insects
and venOmous reptiles, poor hotels and worse
boarding houses, all the Inconvenience of
railroad travel and delays possible, will be suf-
fcient inducements for the change and OPP
portunities to make some money, why, let
them come and try for themselves. l
---.r. FABRICIUs.