Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-12-19
IMMIGRATION.

We have lately conversed with
several large planters and old friends
from Mississippi. The accounts they
give of the condition Of things there
grow worse and worse. They are
gloomy in the extreme, and almost, If
not quite, despair Of future. No law
protects what they have from plumber
on the plantations. Negroes, by two
and three, pass hourly in every direction,
with guns in their hands, refusing work,
even where the planters remain able to
employ them (which is now becoming
more and more unfrequsnt), pretending
to get their living by hunting coons,
rabbits, birds, ETC., but really by killing
the little which remains of their stock,
and firing off guns and pistols under
their windows during the nights. They
have neither peace nor protection. The
Government restraints, without protect
ing them, while it encourages without
restraining the idleness, excuses and
depredAtions of population which un-
restrained, is brutal.
What thenl No word Of warning to
the white population is needed, not one
of whom would do Injustice to the freed
men. But is there no help, no remedy,
no potential voice, coming from the re-
sponsible authorities, which shall make
an end of such state of things, and
allow a people to live and pursue the
arts and industry in peace2 If not,
these bitter things are to be treasured
up, and the day will come when a
nation will feel how little it
can afford to enforce injustice.
A few months ago, in common with
many Of our contemporaries, we spoke
encouragingly Of immigration into these
States, and we're eager to invite and
procure it. But it is useless. Men will
run from an ungoverned country TO any
despotism under the sun. We cannot
deny that things are even worse than
the Southern press has unfolded. Just
as it is true in Mississippi, that out of
one hundred houses, which are bur
glariously entered, one instance only
finds its way to the press, SO Of the
depredations committed over the South,
not one in q thousand sees the light
through the journals Of the country.
Outrages against the law of property are
so infinitely numerous, and there are so
mauy more aggravated besides, that only
those of the deeper dye can be told.
We regret the necessity Of repeating
these statements, which are now too
familiar to be Of any service to the
Southern people. We do it only in the
hope that the cold, dull, dead ear of the
authorities may hear and act Procla-
nations against organized bands
amount to nothing, when the idle and
vicious are devouring the country singly
and in couples, scattered over the whole
surface. And the whole regular army
of the United States would not be suf.
fcient TO enforce good order and peace
in the single State Of Mississippi BY
the present plan Of Illuminating mere
orders and proclamations, backed by
such an organized force, acting on the
plan Of bureaus for protection and
nothing for restraint. The country can
not be policed except BY vagrant laws
which m1st be enacted, and every able
bodied man required 10 give 40 account
Of himself, and have and follow some
honest employment for a livelihood.
The government or District commanders
must set promptly, or allow the States
10 do 60. n not, war for bread is as
inevitable and memorable a. the DEGREES
Of fate. And that government which,
having tie power, VIII not give efficient
protection to It's peaceful subjects, &C.
serves TO fall, ss vel as to Be infamous