The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-01-09
The southsrn Re1ief Ques,fon-Con
alterations for, Congress-.

mitigate Southern distress. Exagge-
ration there may be in elpublished
reports, as to the condition OF the
freedmen and large numbers of the
| whites; but the substratum Of fact is
too broad and too deep to allow of
denial. Even those who allege that
the statements Of distress are in ex-
cess of the actual truth, admit that
prospectively they are probably cor
rect. Outside help is, therefore, in
dispensable, if the country is not pre-
pared to permit starvation to do ITS
work unchecked; and considerations
of economy, as well as of humanity,
Esuggest the ex xpediency Of graphing
at once, with u difficulty which pro-
;crastination would render infinitely
worse. q p -
We're t!::o question simply one of
relief, it would be only necessary to
determine the precise nature and ex-
tent of the emergency, and the best
means of rendering whatever relief
might be required. These points
come up now, and will have to be
settled when Congress enters upon
the question practically. But they
are not unlikely to be encountered
with extraneous issues. Politics will
invade the domain of philanthropy.
Partizan contingencies will make
themselves felt where prudent chari-
ty alone should rule. The question
will be invested with s'loyal' and
with 'rebel" aspects. Just as aid
toward rebuilding the levees of Lou
isiana and Mississippi, was frustrated
by politicians on the ground that
these States were not up to the radi-
cal standard in respect to loyalty, so
we expect to hear of all manner of
reservations and provisos designed to
prevent "rebel advantages in the
distribution of help. Destitute
blacks will. of co urse. in these con-
ditions, out-rank the destitute whites.
And there will be a strong effort to
defeat propositions for utilizing &c
sldent Southerners in any plan of as
sistance for the planters. The posi-
BILE complexion of impending cleo
tions, and the possible need of all the
appliances which Congress may COM
mand to secure reconstruction in
time for the Presidential vote, are
matters which will not be over looked
when any scheme of relief invites
| decision.
Nothing is more certain, however,
than tie mischief which any further
attempts to make pets of the freed
men will involve. The nation did
owe great deal to them, we admit.
1t assumed temporary guardianship
over them when it deprived them of
the care and direction which were
incident to slavery. But the obliga-
ton is not perpetual. except in rela-
ton to their rights. Civil equality
they were entitled to; political equal
ity they have got; and they may also
claim protection against starvation
pending the organization of the new
system of labor. They arc not for
this reason to be encouraged in the
belief that they are permanent pen
sioners upon the nations bounty-as
many of them have been led to con-
clude. And it is against this error
that Congress should carefully guard.
The opportunity should not be lost
for teaching the freedmen that eman-
cipation was not the prelude to
gigantic system of pauperism, or to
any system of protection in reference
either to the conditions or rewards of
labor.
The lesson is required. The ope-
rations of the Freedmen's Bureau
and the bearings Of the Reconstruct
ton Acts have been calculated to
impress these untutored people with
the notion that they may obtain all
they want by asking for it. We are
not impugning the legitimate work of
the Bureau. For certain purposes,
it has doubtless been valuable, and
rs guide rather than as provider,
its continuance for some time longer
may be desirable But the tendency
of its influence has been to encou-
rage the freedmen in the delusion
that they may for all time rely upon
the Government, instead of trusting
to themselves. The political power
conferred upon them by Congress
has served to strengthen this impress
sion. Both causes combined may be
supposed to have had not little to
do with the generally Improbable
character of their last years labor.
They did neither as much nor as we'll
as formerly, and their prevailing want
of thrift explains the attitndo of