The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-28
OFFICIAL.

Bureau of Ref. Freedmen and Abandoned Lands.
Headquarters ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Rtsle h, v. c., Nay 18th, 1868.
CIRCULAR No. 4.
The Assistant Commissioner is DESTROYS of
drawing the attention of the colored people of
this State to the Importance and benefit of the
"Freedmen's Saving Bank "-branches of
which are already in operation in Raleigh, New
bern, and Wilmington, and in few days others
will be established in Charlotte and Salisbury.
This institution was incorporated under an Act
OF CongreSS-for the special benefit of those
whose earnings will allow them to lay aside
small sums of money; providing a depository
perfectly safe, and at the same time accommodating
interest. "a penny saved is penny earned"
was the maxim of a wise and great man and one
worthy of being followed.
These Banks will receive monies in small or
large amounts, and at the end of every six
months, interests is added to the principal; and
thus every deposit earns something, and by this
system of compromising interest, the original
amount doubles itself every few years.
The colored people of this community are to
all intents and purposes free and independent,
but in some respects they are still in bondage or
dependent upon others. So long they
houseless without shelter for their families, and
without proper apparel and food, long will
their condition be one of extreme want and de-
pendence-and, the present condition of those
who are slaves to habits of idleness, prodigality
or intempcrance, is tar than their former
bondage. A ul appreciation of the liberty, adj
vantages of citizenship, and opportunities for
education granted the race, has been manifested,
and the benefits arising therefrom fully realized.
Nor is the time TO lay the foundation OF future
wealth, prosperity and happiness.
Everything has been done for you that was
possible you must now carve out your own Tor
tunes. Your future career and success in life
must be determined by your own actions There
are but two paths before you: in one, you will
find idleness, prodigaity, vice, crime, slavery
either morally or physically-the other presents
irdu SObriptV
piness One great and important lesson for you
to learn, is the value and power of money.
The wealthiest men of land were, a few
wears since among the poorest boys OF the coun-
try. They acquired wealth and independence by
industry, honesty and economy. To the
first ten, the first hundred, or the first thousand
dollars is the almost insuperable difficulty one
experiences In the task OF economy But the first
ten dollars saved, to save the hundred and thou
sand becomes easier and accommodating money
instead of being task, gradually, but surely,
grows to be satisfaction and pleasure. Unless
the commencement is made and the foundation
laid, you will remnin in poverty and want. Let
every cent now wasted in purchasing tobacco
liquors, jewelry fancy clothing, be a,ed
placed in the Savings Bank, and when enough
has been accumulated, buy homestead, and thus
place yourselves in circumstances both comfort
able and independent.
Bear in mind that every dollar deposited is
earning interest every day and while sickness
orsother causes suspend daily employment the
The particular attention of all colored people
is called to this opportunity afforded by the Gov
eminent for their benefit. Soldiers especially
shonld take advantage of this offer, and thus
provide for future interests, by dcpositing each
payday portion of their monthly pay, thereby
providing something to aid them when their
term of service expires.
Let the children be taught to lay aside every
penny they get, and when it amounts to ten
cents, put it in the Savings Bank, and when
they arrive at the age of twenty-one, they will
have sufficient funds to materially aid them in
business pursuits
1t is not only matter of economy, but wise
policy, to provide against contingencies common
to all men, such as sickness. misfortune and their
attendants. Put every cent you can spare into
the Bank, and coming years will show the wis
E dom of such course.
BY command of
Col. and Bvt. Maj. Gen. NELSON A. MILES,
Assistant Commissioner
ANDREW GEDDES,
LIST Lieut.. A. A. A. Genl.