Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-01-17
The Freedmen.

Our columns nave more IMAM once Doen
devoted to the Importance of our relations
with the freedmen and the interest we have
in making them contented, industrious and
useful laborers. Whether we will it or not,
the negro is destined to compose the great
laboring population OF tie South for many
years to come, and it is at least question:
BILE whether we could better ourselves by
a change. In the great work of recupera
ton of the South, now fairly inaugurated
but somewhat delayed by political troubles
and uncertainties, the freedmen have most
important part to perform, and upon them,
in q great measure, depends the progress
we make.
Throughout the South there isan increas-
ing desire being manifested to do every
thing to elevate the negro in the scale OF
civilization, not only as a just and merited
reward for his faithfulness as u slave, but
as a matter of political economy. All
the legislation on the subject has been to
provide the amplest protection to his per
son and property, and give him all the
rights necessary for his well-being. The
sentiments of that noble, christian soldier,
general WADE HAMPTON, as expressed IN a
recent speech on the subject, are becoming
the universal opinion of the Southern peo-
ple. GAS q slave" said General Hamp-
ton, "he was faithful to us as a freedman,
"let us treat him as friend. Deal with him
Cranky, justly, kindly, and my word for
cit, he will reciprocate your kindness,
"clinging to his old home, his own coun-
sstry and his former masters. If you wish
"to see him contented, industrious, useful,
laid him in his efforts to elevate him
" self in the scale Of civilization, and thus
eft him, not only to enjoy the blessings of
"freedom, but to appreciate its duties.
To make the negro fully enjoy the bless
ings of freedom, and appreciate its duties,
and the great obligations resting upon him
in consequence of the change in his rela-
tions with the whites, he must not only be
educated, but it must be done by those
who, at least, have true appreciation of his
nature, and are not hostile to us. We can
not expect to regain their confidence and
affection, which to some extent We have
lost, or retain that which we have, unless
we use the proper exertions, when we know
there are powerful influences at work to
win his heart from us, and from the land Of
which he is q native-inhuences prompted
by the most powerful causes which urge
men to the accomplishment Of ends. The
no
great political engine by which party SUI
premacy is to be retained. Having given
them freedom, the Radicals claim mort
gage upon theirliYes and when party de
mands it, they make, as many assignments
and forfeitures as is deemed necessary
Bloody riots have already given many in
nocent victims to the Moloch of Fanati
cism, and although with affected horror,
grave Congressman are making e. parte in,
vestigations of them, they will be repeated
whenever doubtful elections are pending.
The freedmen must lie converted into
agents of their own happiness and pros
perity, and useful to us and the country,
byplacing over their mental culture South
8
fucnce to which all others give way, and
it is worse than folly for Us, by neglect, tc
drive the freedmen from lis, and permit
their minds to be moulded by those who
hate us and our section. The people of the
South are most to be benefited by then
proper elevation, and are to be the greatest
sufferers, if they are converted into dis
contented, turbulent and expensive Iaza,
roni by those who would sacrifice the en-,
tire race if they themselves are we'll paid
and the hated Southerners are punished.
We publish elsewhere the excellent pas
toral letter of the venerable and esteemed
Bishop of Mississippi, whose noble heart
and Christian charity knows no race Oh
color, to the Clergy and Laity of his Do
cese, upon their obligations to the colored
population of that State, and the duties
imposed upon them by the new relation!
in which they stand to them. This lette.
portrays not only the urgent necessities O
the blacks, but their claims upon the whites
and the mutual interest existing between
them. We think a careful perusal will b.
of benefit to all. If this class can only bt
made to know who their real friends are
and devote themselves to the education ant
proper elevation of their race -encourag,
honesty and industry, and not spend thei
time and dissipate their minds upon ex
pensive and useless parades and hrlrtful as
sociations in the idle hope of political priv
TOD
their ruin, there is in store for them hap
Ply future. Such letters as Bishop Green
are calculated to encourage such conduc
and to restore mutual confidence and re
spect, which will prove beneficial alike t.
whites and blacks.
Political News.