The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-10
MISSISSIPPI.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Of THE nsAlu.

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE 0f THE HrAAL0.
Mississippi In a Nutsheil-Cen. Ord's Admin.
istrntion-NeGro Supremacy and Its Evils
No Serious Antagonissn between tle Rnces-
The Material Conditi0n-Jnclxson, Corinth
and Observation-Disclosures worship in
the State.
JACKSON Miss. Nov. 4, 1867.
The administration Of General Ord, the military
commander of this district, has been very salts
factory TO the people Of Mississippi, if do not
mistake the sentiments Of the citizens, who either
from sincere respect and admiration Of that Off
Ger, or from motives Of policy fear trumpet his
praises loudly and constantly in the ears Of stran
gers. Since my arrival here some ten days ago,
have been at great pains to ascertain accurately
what the feelings entertained by the population Of
the State are towards General Ord and having
had excellent opportunities, by conversng with
persons OF prominence, of obtaining the desired
information, feel quite sure that am fully iusti-
fed in stating that both the whites and the negroes
are satisfied with his IMP srtialty, and that they
unite in commencing him for the wisdom and
moderation with which he has exercised the almost
unlimited power vested in him by the reconstruc-
ton laws.
Although this is the case, regret that 4 regard
for truth compels me to,add that even the ability
OF the commandant and the fairness with which
he has behaved have been insufficient TO reconcile
the differences which have been very naturally
produced between the races by investing the one
with the elective franchise and DISTINGUISHING the
other; but il is nevertheless the fact that Missis
sippi must approve the verdict which has been
rendered by The other states that have resorte to
the experiment which was forced upon the South
by the mad party in control of the legislative
branch of the nat o7al government II il to be
hoped. however, that the discretion which the
whites are learning and the address of the admin
istration will be successful in preventing such an
unpromsing and distressing situat as that which
s reported across the river in the neighborng
State Of Arkansas where the old slave owners
eyince lack Of intelligent appreciation Of the
duties which change in their status has imposed.
A proper exercise OF common sense will OBJ
yiate all difficulties here, ably have the federal
officers performed their work.
While the political situation in Mississippi il
more promising than in the rest Of the South,
although the blacks are in large majority and
will have full sway In the convention to which will
be entrusted the task Of making a new consttu-
ton, the material condition Is far from presenting
cause for feeling Of encouragement. Tie Cam.
paigns of the armies Of Grant, Johnston, Pember-
ton and others, commanding either side during
the progress or the rebellion, to very great
extent carried on in this section of country and
through this agency this entire district was desc.
lated by the occupation Of the hostile forces.
Plantations that were once the pride of their
owners, and from which very large supplies were
drawn. have been allowed, since the recstablish-
ment of peace, to lie idle, and are now the very
pictures Of wide spread ISOLATION, no longer
employing the large number OF busy laborers who
then found work 10 consume their energies and to
obtain support from the bountiful soil. This de-
vastation is not confined to any particular
locality, but pervades the whole Of the
western part Of the State, and ex-
tends from Jackson to the Mississippi river.
vicksburg and Jackson. Meridian and Holly
Springs, Corinth aud other towns along the line Of
the Memphis Railroad, suffered particularly from
the effects of the constant warfare which was wared
all around them, and they have recovered only TO
very limited extent from the scriousblow to their
prosperity occasioned thereby; Tor the trade
which these places used to enjoy has been SO
greatly impaired, and the means OF rebuilding the
business. now that the producing capacity OF the
farming country In their vicinity has been dimin-
ished, scant that il will require a long per.
severance in enterprise and intense industry To re-
pair the damages sustained.
One Of the curious social consequences il the
negro can be said TO have any social status OF the
revolution which the abolition OF slavery has ac-
complished. il 70 be found in high state of devel
opment IN this State, where with the exception OF
those on the islands of the South Carolina coast
the blacks are most ignorant and degraded
and least removed from the original harba-
rism in which they were found in Africa. refer
10 their return 10 the fetichsm or Obi worship of
Congo. For some time past the Southern Do pers
have occasionally referred to tendency on the
part of The freedmen to abandon the rites of the
Christian Church, and to exchange them for those
wild orgies Of religious excitement. that are abso-
lutely growing in favor here; but for long time
no attention was paid TO the statements OF those
persons who described the descent OF the Africans
% idolatry, and very little excitement on the sub-
iect was produced. Recently, however the exc.
dus from the ranks Of the Christian churches has.
the part Of this race, been great as TO excite
comment and to provoke inquiry which has ended
in the establishment OF the fact that Obi vorship
is in high tide Of popularity, and IL constantly
growing TO be moro common. There are several
various species and many different ccreno-
mails. One class pays its devotion by dancing q
wild dance, 10 witness which causes q shudder:
another class Joins Ia forming large ring
around q priest, who sits over a canldron
and boils lizards, while he muttcrs ia an
inappreciable language some iargon or gopher
words 10 which the disciples OF the new faith
listen in fear and trembling; but then. there are
many different modes and sects, and their forms
vary so much, that It l. impossible for me to give
an ineligible and adequate exposition, and |
will not attempt to pursue the subject |
further. Pontotcc county, in the northeastern |
part OF the State is said to have had mere of ito
negro population relapse into this barbarism than
any other county in the South The superstitiop l
prevails there SO generally, and exerts such an \
all. absorbing, a-coutrolling influence over the |
negro population, that all work has. been sban.
doned entirely. and the medicine men AZ The |
priests are called, hold their perpetual carnivals,
the celebration Of religious rites interfering with
all regular employment, and The farms going 10 |
wreck az q consequence.
The merchants are returning from the North /
and are opening pretty heavy stocks Of goods In. |
dicatibg that large purchases have been made
and that they expect . brisk trade during the l
balance of the fall and winter. The very anc /
cotton crop will probably justify them In their ex |
pccisfions.
c1trL NARNl INA