Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-04-29
WHO FREED THE FREEDMEN :

WHO FREED THE FREEDMEN
We learn that w. B. Stokes, and
others, of tue Radical leadership in this
State, are telling the freedmen that if
the Conservatives succeed, they will be
reclaimed into slavery. Stokes is re-
ported to have declared in a speech in
East Tennessee that the former owners
of slaves retain the original bills of sale,
with the expectation of finding them of
use hereafter. If the men who charge
such purpose on the part of the Con-
servatives honestly believe what they
assert, they would entitle themselves to
pity, rather than the contempt of sensi-
BILE men. iBut the plea Of ignoranceiG out
of the question. They assert what
they have unquestionable means
of knowing to be untrue. We have
no doubt in the world that if the
Conservatives possessed the power by
direct vote to restore slavery in this
State, not corporars guard could be
found among them willing to do so.
Perhaps different result might follow
Radical poll. We do not assert it as our
belief that such would be the case, but
we do assert as our matured conviction,
that Yankee Radical, however he may
preach to the contrary, would be more
likely to enslaye a freedman than a
Southern man. 1t is notorious in the
South among all classes white and black,
that Yankee slave owners have generally
been the most cruel Of masters. We
have seen and known this fact for our
self. 1t was the talk of the negroes in
the field, around the Preside, every where,
that they would prefer living in the woods
on such scant fare as they might be able
to pick up, rather than endure the cruel
treatment of Yankee masters. We saw,
heard and knew this in Alabama and
Mississippi, long since, and people in
these States, who have long resided there,
will bear testimony to the fact.
What is it the Radicals ask the celored
people to do2 Vote against, and form q
political party antagonistic to, the great
body Of the people of the South-vote
against the men who employ them-be-
come their enemies for the benefit Of a
people far of in the North, and whom
they will never see except in the sample
ola stray one who sneaks or snorts over
the South with 6le of soldiers at bis
coat tails. They are asked to become
the mortal enemies Of the whites Of the
South-the unforgiVing haters Of the
rebels. Why hate the rebels Because
they went to war with the United States
to defend their country2 Suppose they
had not gone to war in ls6l-and tn
Yankees hate them for doing so, and asl
the colored people to hate them for doiRl
so-would not every colored man an'
woman and child in the South to-day b
in bondage2 There is no question o
this. Wien Beauregard fred on For
Sumter, he liberated every slave in th
South. II Is absurd 10 talk Of the eman
eipstion proclamation. Il never dii
abolish slavery. If the. South ha'
laid down its arms in 1853, the Liza
coin eovefhmest would have recognizes
ths southern States as still members o
ne Union With slavery in tact II 1867
Thad. Stevens, abe great Mogul Of con
fscation. introduced IN Congress AM
passed through. resolution announcing
in sfeci. tast the EaF vas waged for M
rsrpose Of conquest but for the restora
ion o. The Union, leaving the Southern