The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-08-16
TIso Bv,Teau I'm this state

TEe Harean an this state. ,esa
Cen: Scott has made his report to
Gen. Howard, for the month Of July.
ia relation to the operations Of the
Bureau and the condition of the
freedmen in this State, from which
we extract: s,,s !. tssy-..,t,s.st t,.e
The snperintendent says the re-
ports of the agents concur in affirm
ing what has always been said by
those formerly owning the freedmen,
in regard to their working for them
selves and in renting lands, &c. With
the hot weather has come idleness;
neglect of the crops and its conse-
quent loss by grass. This state of
things is almost universal in this dis
Strict. The system, too, of working
SO many days for the planter and 80
many for themselves has been pro-
ductiye of much evil. Having worked
the stipulated number of days for
the planter, they prefer lying about
idle to working up their own crops,
and complain bitterly when refused
rations by the agents Of the Bureau.
A great indisposition on the part of
the young to support their aged rela-
tives is noticeable, and as this duty
cannot be enforced, these classes
must still be dependent upon the
Bureau. There is great need of mis-
sionaries among these people, and
the want should be at once supplied,
and, if possible, be compelled to the
practice of some religion. They are
gradually combining the old African
practices of the Fetish charms, &C.,
with the little knowledge they have
Of the Christian religion, to their
very greatinjury. T
The agent for the Marion District
reports that the sentiment entertained
by the white people of that District
upon the questions of reconstruction
ism decided Improvement upon all
oSU er parts of the State. Theirtreat-
ment of the colored people approx
mates more nearly TO what it should
be than in any other Southern agency
with which the officer was acquaint-
ed, and unless some element of alien
alton is Introduced by designing men
for political purposes, there is fair
prospect of realization of that
1 peace and security in rights and pro-
| perty which is the end of reconstruc-
Mon, In the Edisto District, dis
< position has for some time past
manifested itself among the freed
men to form military organizations,
regularly enlist their members and
muster them in for life. Upon mott
flying the leaders Of these companies.
they were all disbanded without
trouble, except one formed on Fen
wick's Island, on the plantation of
Major Jenkins & Co., where hum
dred bands are employed.
, The agent called on the officers of
this company and directed them to
disband IL, which they refused to do,
stating that they had been ordered
to form such an organization, and
they would act under those, instruc-
tions unless compelled to disband by
force OF arms. They became defiant,
and denounced any interference on
the part of Sthe Government with
their meeting and drilling, as depriv-
ing them of their rights. Seven of
the ring-leaders were arrested and
sent to Charleston under charges,
a The agent thinks it necessary that
prompt action be taken and an ex-
ample made in these cases, to prevent
the contagion from spreading. In
every case. the leaders and more
prominent actors in these organize
lions were found to be men who had
eerved as volunteers to the Federal
army, and their influence is very
$ potent The freedmen regard them
as being we'll instructed in the laws
Aof the country, and possessed OF
courage to bear them through, should
a trial at arms be necessary to pre-.
serve the life of their organization.