The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-02-28

same proper ends II / am correct in these
views. there can be no necessity for the
enlargement OF the powers Of the Bureau
for which provision is made In the bin
The third section Of the bill authorizes a
general and unlimited amount Of support
10 the destitute and suffering refugees and
freedmen. and their wives and children.
Succeeding sections make provision for The
rent or purchase of landed estates Tor freed
men. and for Tie erection fer their benefit
OF servicabie buildings Tor asylnms and
schools the expenses 10 De defraved from
the Treasury of the whole people Con-
gre-s has never heretofore thought itself
competent TO establish any laws beyond the
limits Of the District OF Columbia except
for the benefit OF our disabled soldiers and
sallOk. Ii has never founded schools for
any Mass OF our people. not even for the
orphans Of those who have fallen in the de-
Tense Of the Union, but has leit the care of
their education 10 the much more compe-
tent and efficient control of the States. of
communities, Of private associations and Of
individuals. II has never deemed Itself
authorized 10 expend the public money for
the rent or purchase of homes for the thou
sands, not 10 say millions Of the white race
who are honestly tOiling from day 10 day
for their subsistence. a system for the
support Of INDECENT persons in the United
States was never contemplated by the au-
thOrs OF the Constitution, nor can any good
reason be advanced why, as a permanent
establishment, il should be founded for one
class or color of our people more than i0r
another. Pending the war, many refugees
and freedmen received sepp0rt from the
Government. but it WAS never intended
that they should henceiOrth be iei. clothed.
educated and sheltered boy the United
States. The idea on which.the slaves were
assisted 10 freedom, was that. on becoming
free, they would be a self-sustaining pOpu-
lauOn. ANY legislation that shall imply
that they are not expected 10 attain q self
sustaining condition. must have tendency
injurious alike 10 their character and their
prosperity
The appointment Of an agent for every
county and parish will create an immense
patronage and the expense OF tie numer-
Gus officers and their clerks 20 be appointed
boy the President. will be- great in the be-
ginning with tendency steadily to increase
The appropriations asked ~ The Freedmen >
Bureau, as now established. for The year
1866. amounts % Sll.745, 600 II may be
safely estimated that the cost 10 be incurred
under the pending bin Will require double
that amOuut--mOre than The entire sum eX-
pended ia any one year under the admins
tratiOn OF the second Adams II the pres
ence OF agents IN every parish and county
Is to be considered a a war measure, OPP
position or even resistance might be pro
v0ked, so that, 10 give effect 10 their Jurisdlc-
ton. troops would have 10 be stationed
within reach Ofevery one Of them, and thus
a large standing force be rendered neces-
sarv. Large appropriations would, there
fore, be required 10 sustain and enforce
military jurisdiction in every county and
parish from the Potomac 10 the Rio Grande.
The condition Of our fiscal affairs IS encour-
aging, but in order 10 sustain the present
measure OF public confidence, il Is Iecessa-
~ that We practice 10 merely customary
economy, but as far as possible, severe re-
trenchment.
IA addition 10 Tie objections alrea1y sra
ted, the 5th section OF the bill proposes 10
take away land from its former owners.
without any legal proceedings being first
had, contrary to that provision of the Con
siitutiOn which declares that DO person
snail be deprived oflIie, liberty or property
without due process OF law Ii does not
appear that lands 10 which this section re-
fers may not he owned by minors or per
sons OF un-Ound mind, or by those who have
been faithful to all their Obligations as citi-
Zens Of the United States. Ii any portion
Of the land is held by any such persons. il
Is not competent for any authority 10 de
prive them of it. Ii, on the other hand. il
be found that the property is liable 10 con-
iiscatiOn, even then il cannot be apprOpri-
ated TO public purposes until, by due
process OF law, it shall have been declared
forfeited 10 the Government.
There are still further objections 10 the
bill on grounds seriously affecting the class
OF persons to whom il Is designed 10 bring
relief. 1t viii tend TO keep the mind Of The
freedmen in a state Of uncertain eXpecta-
ton aud restlessness, while, 10 those among
whom be lives, It will be a source OF con
stant and vague apprehension. Undoubtedly
the freedmen should be protected, but they
shor,tl 49, 4 - ttf r4s = ..tt,llvl 4-iv-,
and especially By the exercise OF the cOnsti
tutiOnal powers OF the United States Courts.
and Of the States His condition is not 50
exposed a. may az first be imagined Hs
Is IN a portion OF the country where his Ia
bOr cannot well be spared. Competition
for his services from planters. from those
VINO are constructing or repairing railroads.
or from capitalists m his vicinity or iron
other States, will enable him 10 command
almost his own terms He also possesses
a perfect right to change hls place Of abode
and II. therefore, he does not lind m one
community OF State . mode OF life suited tC
his dress or proper remuneration for bis
labor. he can move TO another where labor
is more esteemed and better rewarded. In
truth, however. each State, induced by ii,
own wants and interests, will 10 what j.
necessary and proper 10 retain within il.
borders all the labor that Is needed tor The
development Of its resources. The laws
that regulate supply and demand Will main
tain the force, and the wages Of tie labOrel
will be regulated thereby. There is nt
danger that the great demand Tor labor
will not operate in favor of the lab0rer
neither is sufficient consideration given tC
the ability OF the freedmen 10 protect anC
take care OF themselves. IL is 10 NOR,
than justice 10 them 10 believe that, a. thel
have received their freedom with mOdera
ton and fOrbearance, so they Will Gistin
gulsh themselves by their industry: anC
they feel. and should show the world, tha
in a condition OF freedom they are seli-sus
tanning and capable OF selecting their Owl
employment and their own places of abode
OF insisting for themselves on a proper re
muneratiOn, and Of establishing ami main
taiuing their own asylums aud schools. ]
I is earnestly hoped tnat. Instead OF wai-tin.
away they will by their own efforts estab
lsh Tor themselves condition OF respecta
bility and prosperity. IL IS certain tina
they can attain 10 that condition Onl-
through their own merits and eXeru0ns.
IN this connection, the query present.
itself. whether the system proposed by th,
bill viii not, when put into complete opera
! ton, practically transfer the entire care
support and control Of four millions O
manc.pa-ed slaves 10 agents. Overseer
aud taskmasters. who, appointed at Wash
f lngtOu. are 10 be located in every COUNT
and parish throughout the United state
containing freedmen aud refugees. Al.
such q system would inevitably ten.
f 10 such a concentration OF power IN Ill
/ Executive, which would enable him. II =
disposed, 10 control the action OF hume
rous class and use them Tor The attain
ment OF his own political ends.
cannot but add another very grave Oh
lection 10 this bill. Tie Constitution in
peraITely declares. IL connection with TAX
alton, thai each state shall have 1t leas
one Representative. and fixes The rule 70