The New York herald., 1867-03-29
ViR G ! NJ A.
SPECIAL cuasEsPonulact Of IHt HERALD.

Progress of Reconstr ructi0n Reconstruction. X
lists North md south Imposing Array-Lab0r
i'm the South-Less0ns from the PRst-The
Systems Of Last Yenr-T The Practicable One
Failure TO Induce Immigrntion-the Freed
men Identified with the south Experience
Of Planters.
RICHMOND, Va, March rs, 1867.
Reconstruction progresses in the South When sena-
tor Sherman introduced resolution relieving Governor
Brown, Of Georgia, and Governor Patton Of Alabama,
from the disabilities OF the Reconstruction act it inau
gurated the OF feelings for the Union long
mant in the South. The people see in this act dspo-
stion the part OF the ruling party their
taken leaders their political rights Long associations
with these men VINO devoted themselves TO the lost
compes them TO love and revere that devotion
and under the resolution referred TO- class in
the south more efectuay influence speedy resto-
ration by the benefit OF their counsels which in such
win be given wisely This will be plainly evident
10 any intelligent mind these enjoy and have the
confidence the people OF tho South and under cnent
towards them will be of incaiculable benefit
in harmonizng the two sections utterly at vari
Senator sherman, the author Of the Military
bill and the relieving disability resolution, has
the confidence OF the Southern people and stands FORE
most reconstructionist Next that category
Joe Brown, Of Georgia. who has with win gone to
work to effect reconstruction in thar Stale. Orr, of
South Carolina, is about to his Legislature for
the same purpose and Wade Hampton has recently been
speaking whoesomclv and scnsihy 10 both the black
and white citizens OF The state In Virginia Cen
eral schofed is ably seconded in his reconstruction
by the members of the Legislature and officers
Of the government, and fanatics Of the stamp Of
Henry A. Wise evince desire to cooperate reunng
disun,ed country. last, and not least, the
forcible advice OF the HERALD the subject and
if one thing has had harmonizng tendency
mora ha
that the Presidential ticket recently advocated
Grant for President and Lee for Vice President in 1865
With such OF advocates for reconstruction and
looking from such standpoint there be any doubt
that long the country, north and SOUTH east and
confidence in our finances win be restored and once
happiness and prosperity will reign supreme in
this benghted and poverty stricken portion Of the
country?
In the present OF social disorganizaton in tho
Southern States there is question of more vital i'm
portance than that Of labor The press teens with
plants OF the negro, iabcrer In his freed state,
thousands Of remedies suggested relation
the agricultural and Horticultural interests connection
with this problem. But IL is encouraging to that
among the Southern people there who fully
the absolute dependence upon their labor especially
aliuval lands, where unacclmated and foreign white
labor never supplant it, When the great and sud
den change from state Of slavery 70 that Of freedom,
by which the social relations OF two
wonderfully altered, and converted from slaves
into reemen s considerable must be allowed that the
blacks numbering 1000 000 eminently deserve credit
for the becoming, peaceable and digniled manner in
emancipation and as well must the praiseworthy man
OF great portion OF their former owners be csti-
aed To- Attached ey oia associations q the savsshey
them aims looking to high social and moral Standards
they scrupulousy fulfilled their own contracts with the
negroes, and by this example encouraged them 10 .
similar performance Of theirs
Numerous instances Of the fu1lmept Of contracts
age Of the weakness and Of the freedman
come under my notice, and every have l found
becomes dssroyed and sprs Of bitterness and hatred
between them Is engendcrod. Tho farmer cannot hire
aborcrs again. and often results in confirming the
negro In his habits Of idlcness theft and other vices
TO which he may be addicted
The negroes have long since learned that freedom does
mean play; that IL brought with Il now responsible
ties and the necessity labor diligently for themselves
they could longer look TO Others particularly their
70 Ssg
understood their interests were identified with tho
people among whom they lived. A large portion Of
them are however, dscontented and notwithstanding
the great scarcity OF labor all the SOUTH refuse 10
DC employed on the contract system. But these are
In consequence Of the high prices offered in Louisiana
and Mississippi for aborers Great emigration from Ala
bsms and Georgia hss been caused resulting in scarcity
account have been made. and as the number Of
negroes there has materially lessened since the close
States the crops will fall short. and whole
counties must 90 uhcntyaied for want Of
su1lciency OF labor 10 this State there is also
scarcity OF labor complained Of by the planters; but
do not think pre- as TO any extent that will be njur
eas % either the planting Or harvesting Of the crops
towns At work farms there would be an overabund
Negroes have strong local attachments and IL
large and profitable crop 10 raised, that win ena-
BILE the farmer pay literally for hrs labor II will be
mpossibity 70 roos the negroes ont Of their homes.
the South With view 70 suppisnt negro labor by tho
introduction Of white foreign labor and 70 this end i'm
MIGRATION societies are beng formed and IN some States
commissioners have been appointed BY acts OF the Legs
ature This Is chiefly owing 10 the lessons Of the pase
year 1885, when the negroes were completely carried
but contributing the restoration Of their common
try 10 i former prosperity Added to this the contract
Tie freedman though the only one feasible al the time
~ few planters after procuring animals seeds impe-
ments provisions, kc, could obgaie themselves 70 pay
monthly wages 70 their laborers. II has however,
become established fact among the planters through
out the south that Of all the experiments hitherto tried
system giving pro rata portion Of the crops instead Of
waRes o. the plan OF working on sharoa which, In some
II ansv Sss h mos 10 bO,b
aborsr ana employer But IN consequence on the great
ringeney i Pecuniary matters .i me South This win
not be practicable with many Of the planters and both
the contract share system again been resorsd
The experience Of the past two years has had whole
the future wealth and happiness OF the country the ono
has learned that he must depend solely on his own exer
sty Of ss.sbishps cbsrscter ior honesty. Industry
and thrift; while The other has found thai the
changed relations Of tho two races have imposed upon
should guarded and kind IN their dealings with the
negroes and puuctua and just the observance Of any
their ignorance Asr careful consdefation Of al the
lessons Of the past the faacy that the freedman as
borer could not be depended upon has exploded, @ viii
any whim formed while in bad temper The people In
the south have been too prone to take gloomy view OF
matters since the downfall Of their cherished cause
and the overthrow OF their peculiar institutions All
attempss ~ inducing immigration 70 any Southern state
has dgnally failed. white labor 10 found not 70 DO
adapted 10 the climate, could he introduced, and
upon the freedman alone must they depend for return
20 anything like their former wealth and prosperity
This s the experience OF two years, when every plan
pie, with true sArnesiness. beginning 70 adapt inem-
selves
TIVE ppI7f RING