New-York tribune., 1867-01-01
GEORGIA..
THE CONDITION OF THE FREEDMEN-wOMAN-
WHIPPING AND THE CHAIN-GANG-REP0Rr
OF THE BUREAU OF EDUCATIoN-THE CHoL-
ERA IN SAyANNAH-SEA ISLANDS.
From Our Special Correspondent

ERA IN SAyANNAH-sEA ISLANDS.
From Our Special Correspondent
SAVANNAH Dec. %, 1866.
That there is desire and that there persistent
efforts made to keep the Freedmen down-to keep
them from rising above the condition OF mere hewers
of wood and drawers of water-is exhibited every
day, and everywhere, in the temper and actions OF
all classes of the whites. They are dragged by
hundreds before the Courts upon charges OF the most
trivial character; and, upon testimony which would
be of no weight among people. or in courts presided
over by men, who think more of justice than the
qualification of silly and ignorant prejudice, they
are subjected to exorbitant fines long imprisonment
and cruel and barbarous punishments.
Those twin relics of barbarism, the chain-gang ana
the whippng-post, are very common, and to-day the
crack Of the lash can be heard almost as often as In
In the proceedings of every County Court we can
read "The State VS.. Dudley, Freedman.-Simple
larceny Verdict, Guilty, Judgment, Six months In
the chain gang and 80 lashes."
John. freedman, was arrested by Policeman
Smith for having in his possession some wood that the
policeman thought was not Johns sentenced by
the Mayor to 80 days in the chain gang ana 20 pay
fine of $10n black boy was fined 50 IN this city
Yesterday by the Mayor for calling at the front door
of white resident and refusing, when ordered by
the tenant to go to the back door Some one has re-
marked and with much truth, that almost the entire
expenses of the cities In this State are met by the
unjust fines imposed upon fIeedme1i ;nor,nt
class They are silly enough to think 1t an honor 70
hate and abuse "a nagm :" and, like all Ignorant
men, of Whatever race they may De- they hiabaoy ADJ
may be invested. Hence we find these southern po-
lice continually seeking some pretext upon which to
drag some unfortunate being whom Eod cl9tnea T,.
rendered partly white before " his honor the Mayor
And in such the testimony is almost invariably
er pdrte the statement OF one policeman Delpg
sufficient to subject the poor unfoItnnate TO the
chain gang and fine, If it be found possible To get
any money out of him. In every village and city one
can negroes In the changing, and see negroes
whipped, but never a white man. And 1t is worse
than vain to appeal to their sense OF justice IN en-
deavoring to show those In authority that these
thngs-hese partial and cruel modes OF treating tho
colored race-are wrong. You cannot lead them to
entertain for moment the idea that justice rs ut all
commeBdable, so far as the white and coored races
are concerned. Degrees and kinds of punishment
which they deem too degrading even to think Of in
flictng upon white man, when inflicted upon the
negro meets only the most lenient and ordinary de-
mands of justice
A learned and dgnifed Southern Judge. who would
shudder at the idea of his wife or daughter being
much as found fault with for quarreng with
his ncighb0rs wife or daughter does not, Tor mo-
ment hesitate to sentence the wife or daughter OF
cOOred man to be stretched upon her face upon the
ground have her entire person exposed 10 the las
civiOus gaze of brutal men, and logged by some
fellow of the same base propensities, whose chief
delight is to draw from his victim the most excrnci.
ating cries of agony that the lash and his physical
strength can enforce. And the men who VIII, IN
every instance that white man Is brought before
them on a charge of numbering negro acquit him,
think il perfectly consistent with the claims Of Justice
and humanity-with the spirit of Chnstianity-to
hang a negro for stealing mule or n horsel
From the report of the Bureau Superintendent of
Education in this State for the month OF November,
we learn that there % schools for Freedmen now
open in which there l3 teachers and 5Gi9 pupils.
These figures show an increase over the october r..
port of 81 schools 50 teachers, and 2s93 pupils OF
these schools 49, with 81 teachers and S,s5S pupils,
sustained exclusively by the beneyoence OF the
North while SO schools, with 30 teachers and l,s26
pupils sustained wholly or III part by the Freed
men. 1t is estimated that about 5000 were paid TO
the support of education in November by the Freed
men.
OF the teachers engaged during that month, 90
were white and SO colored Thirty schools, with 43
teachers and 2,g76 pupils sustained by the
American Missionary Association, and 10 schools,
New En- gland Freedmens Aid Society and the Nctho
dist Episcopal Church. North. The Superintendent
informs MS that no encouragement worthy oi men
tiOn ~ gwen to the education OF the Freedmen by
the Rebels They proclaim themselves friendly to
the work, vet the on notice that Is taken OF those
who from the North 10 engage in IT, II TO insult
them whenever opportunity ia afforded; and, when
any white citizen of the South engages IN the work
their action IL followed by complete ost.acsm by all
irrevocabe sentence is Yon hare gone 10 the YANKEES
and ngges, and you can stay there! Nc hdre no use gor
you"
Some sixteen deaths from cholera occurred in this
city last week and there were, during that period,
greater number Of cases than have occGrrcd in the
same length of time since It's first appearance this
year. Inc many pffdl Suuuth lli'
weather tssupposed. it have had strong influence in
superinducing the disease. The majority Of the
cases have been among the neUocs.
Gen. 1ilson is busy engaged in settling the Sea
Island land difficulties which under the famous
order of Gen. Sherman. As general thing, the diff
cnltios are all being amicably adjusted. and since
Nov. /, l47 warrants for 20 acres each have been
issued to the Freedmen. The whole affair will proba-
bly, be disposed of by the first of January after which
we shall furnish full and detailed account of the
manner in which II shall have been adjusted.