Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1866-01-13


I the United States, who think II practicable
, 10 Withdraw the military from the South at
present The white aud the black mutual.
" require the protection Of The General
1 Government,
There Is such universal ncquiesccnoc In
the authority of the General Government
throughout the portions of country visited
by me that the mere presence Of military
force, without regard TO numbers sufficient
to maintain order, The good OF the coun-
Try, aud economy rcluilc.that the force he
kept in the Interior where there are many
freedmen (clscwhcrein tho Southern States
than at forts upon the sea-const, no force II
necessarily should all be white troops. The
reasons for this are obvious, without men
tioning any Of them, The presence ofblack
troops, lately slaves, demoralilcs labor both
by their advice and by furnishing in their
camps resort for the freedmen for long
distances around. White troops generally
excite no opposition, and therefore small
number Of them can maintain order in n
given district. Colored troops must he kept
in bodies sufficient to defend themselves
II is not the thinking men who would use
violence towards any class Of troops sent
among them by the General Government,
but the ignorant in some places might and
the late slave seems to be imbuel with the
idea that the property Of his late master
should by right belong to him-at least,
should have no protection from tho colored
soldiers. There is danger Of collisions be-
ing brought on by such causes.
My observations lead me TO the conclu-
sion that the citizens of the Southern States
arc anxious TO return TO self-government
within the Union, MS soon rs possible; that
whilst rcconstructing, they want and re-
quire protection from the Government; that
they arc in earnest in wishing to do what
they think Is required by the Government
not humiliating to them rs citizens-and
that If such course was pointed out, they
would pursue it in good faith. 1t is TO DO
regretted that there cannot be q greater
comminglng Mt this time between the citi-
zens of the two sections, and particularly
Of those entrusted with the law-making
power.
| did not give the operations of the
Freedmen Bureau that attention | would
have done if more time had been at my dis
posal. Conversations on the subject, how
ever, with officers connected with the bu-
reau, lead me TO think that in some of the
States its affairs have not been conducted
with Judgment or economy, and that the
belief, widely spread among the freedmen
of the Southern States that the lands Of
their former owners will Mt least in part be
divided among them, has come from the
agents of this Bureau. This belief is Sc
riously interfering with the willingness of
the freedmen to make contracts for the COM
ing year. In some form the Froedmen's
Bureau is an absolute necessity until civil
law is established and enforced, securing to
the freedmen their rights and full protec-
ton. At present, however, it is indepen-
dent of the military establishment of the
country, and seems to be operated by the
different agents of the Bureau, according
to their individual notions. Everywhere,
General Howard, the able head of the Blu
reau made friends by the just and fair in
structions and advice he gave; but the COM
plant in South Carolina was, that when
left, things went on as before. Many, per-
haps the majority of the agents of the
Freedmens Bureau, advise the freedmen
that by their own industry they must expect
cure employment for Them and to see that
both contracting parties comply with their
engagements. In some instances, am
eUITy W Suy tHc lieeumdu luluu uoeo uOI
seem to be disabused of the idea that the
freedman has right to live without care
or provision for the future. The effect of
the belief in division of land is idleness
and accumulation in camps, towns and
cities. In such cases think it will be
found that vice and disease will tend to the
determination or great reduction of the
colored race. 1t cannot be expected that
the opinions held by men at the South for
years can be changed in day, and there
fore the freedmen require for o few years
not only laws TO protect them, but the fos-
tering care of those who will give them
good counsel and in whom they can rely.
The Frecdmen's Bureau being separated
from the military establishment Of the
country, acquires all the expenses Of sep
crate organization. One does not know
necessarily what the otheris doing, orwhat
orders they are acting under. 1t seems to
me this could be corrected by regarding
every officer on duty with troops in the
Southern States asagents oft Freedmen's
Bureau, and then have all orders from the
head of the Bureau sent through the de-
partment commanders. This would create
responsibility that would secure unity Of
action throughout the South; would insure
the orders and instructions from the head
of the Bureau being carried out, and would
relieve from duty and pay large number
Of the employees of the Government.
have the honor to be, very respectfully
your obedient servant,
IT, s. GRANT Lieut. General