Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-12-18

kt75 IL IS an extremely elHuihCant laSe
that contracts are not now made by the
planters for another year, although past
the middle of December. They are
universally satisfied of the folly of
making contracts for another year, which
cannot be depended on. And our in
formation from different directions Is,
that the laborers are equally Indifferent
on the subject, and generally disposed
not 10 cultivate the soil another year.
OF Alabama and Mississippi this is
particularly true, and the same causes
existing everywhere, where the proper
ton of negroes to the whole population
is largest, we may expect the same re-
suit. 1t is a fact Of singular importance,
and entitled to grave consideration,
They are running now more than ever
30 the towns, and lawless assemblages
and ouirages of all descriptions are be-
coming universal The country is being
secured by depredators for food, and
how long such a state of things can
continue without serious and extensive
outbreaks, is a problem which will be
sueedily solved. The Issue cannot be
far away. The Selma (Aia) Times, Of
the 18th, speaks as follows
Reports reach us, from all parts of the
couptry, of the manifestation by the
negro population of the country, Of
determination to abandon, in a great
measure, the culture Of the soil. The
disposition to leave the plantations, and
move to the towns and cities, is increas-
ing every day.
False impressions, created by white
emissaries of the Radical party, are
completely deluding the poor creatures.
MANY of them have been made to believe
that The planters have almost universally
wronped them when the year expired
and found them without money, their
wages having been Consumed before the
day of payment had arrived.
They of course canuot be expected to
look at these things in the same light
that an intelligent white laborer does,
lint there can be no excuse for the extent
10 which they carry their ideas of the in
iustice done them. We know that their
conclusions in the vast majority of cases
are wrong, aud without the least founda-
ton in truth. The planters, without a
single exception within onr knowledge,
have made fair settlements with their
hands. and the causes Of discomfort are
not real, but phantoms hatched up for
their own base purposes, by these Radi-
cal emissaries.
But be that as it may, the fact that
thousands upon thousands are to-day
without homes, proper shelter, sufficient
clothing, living in filth and on the very
brink Of starvation, stares US in the face
and cannot be ignored. And the number
of these houseless Migrants is increasing
daily, as the abandonment of the planta-
tious continue.
We have been informed by a gentle
man, whose Judgment and credibility we
can vouch for. that in a small village in
this (Dallas) county, whose white popu-
lation does not exceed one hundred and
fifty, there are now collected together,
living in filth aud rags, in the neigbbor-
hood Of fifteen hundred negroes.
Outbreaks, riots, and lawless assem-
blies are becoming daily occurrences
Thieving and highway robbery in almost
numberless instances are reported
already.
The disturbances are not confined 10
any particular locality, but extend over
the whole country.
And where is all this to end Can
idleness procure the means of support 2
Will the winter blasts refuse 10 blow on
the freedmen without shelter; and can
they stand the cold with no protection
against it7 VIII hunger cease to annoy
them, and can they live without food 2
No. and one oftEo thingsis very certain
either their necessities must be relieved,
or death must be their portion. How are
thew to be relievedl They have declared
In words aud acts thatfurthsr work is no
parl Of their programme, and 1t Is GER
faiulv true that we cannot and viii not
support them 10 their idleness; and the
question is-ghat means do they intend
10 use 10 support themselves 2
The inevitable answer i, theit aud
robbery. and forcibie seizure. This is
20 agreeable picture. bot one which, m
our Judgment, The facts present
And the work Of misleading and poi
oninr their weak, fhnsiicsl minds