The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-02-15
Communicated

To the Editor Of tile Opelousas Journot-
'Out of debtrout of danger" is a maxim Sc
we'll established by the experience and econ
omy of both society and government, in ca
sy and prosperous times, that it requires
not the auxiliary testimony OF the past two
wears of misfortune and failure, to explain
or corroborate the fact, to any mind of foe.
sight and discretion. In every enterprise
of life, whether social, political, or industri'
al. 1--WE should look well before we leap
and it behooves us to use far more c;rcum.
spection and caution atsthis critical juncturc
of affairs, than at any former period of our
histc nv, either as private individuals. or as
the corporate people of a general govern.
ment. .s.
But the principal object of Your CORES,
pondent in this communication, is to cons 4.
er the practical benefit aid utility of the
proposition made by the Cover nment to the
Planters Of the South, in Circular No. ],
Head Quarters Bureau of Refugees. Freed.
men and Abandoned Lands, dated New Or.
leans, La, Jan. % 1868; which, 40 relieve
extreme want occasioned by reason of freed.
men being without employment, through
inability of planters TO furnish supplies, the
Bureau will render aid insuch cases" sndrr
the regulations which therein follow, &c.
1t is useles to refer in detail to the different
articles of said Circular, as doubtless, every
planter has or win read its provision and
ifnoticed with proper scrutiny, viii be found
to be one Of the most oner0us and hazard
GUS contracts, which he as ar obligor could
fix upon himself. Let us look first at the
nature and character Of this conventional
"ijaation in its effects upon The parties.
anu S.--.henefits, losses, and remedies flow
~ ,lnls- announces first in I'M
mistakasie language, u.as no froadn,on i
the primal and actual benerIssnsss -
templated in its object Of relief aasa,ss, ""
alton, and that tho planter, acting fn'.h-
character Of trustee, takes upon himself, the
responsibility of executing its conditions,
and terms, at his own personal risk and per.
il. The Bureau as the agent of the Govern.
ment, is commissioned to furnish the plan.
ter Or employer with subsistence for the
q freedmen or l.bo crs, provided the planter
furnish his bond with good security, in the
sum of seventy. Ave dollars for each labordr
so~, employed, and the Government to retain
the first privilege on the crops, and all NOV
able proper y of the plantation, to secure
the full reimbursement OF the price and ex-
'7egaaa6 tltsaaa4assRalliiassaada aEei4 4 A,Y, FrH;Aa-
loss or expense accrning from this con.
tract If he should fail 10 labor industri-
o"siy, or be improvident in the use ofbis
supplies, and the care Of the planting uten-
slls and stock, the planter has nc. remedy
except the ordinary and almost worthless
one, OF proceeding BY the usual tardy pros
ecutions IN our civil courts. The PLANTER
has to shoulder. the double responsibility of
the Governments. lien and laborefs' privil4
eye, without having any prompt or efficient
remedy himself against their dereliction OF
duty, or the contingencies of wear, loss, and
destruction necessarily attending agricultu.
raj pursuits. Again, to make the hardships,
expense, and uncertainty stili greater to@the
planter, he is denied the disposition OF. sale
Of the fruits of his own labor. He il reias-
ed the choice of his own Cotton Factor; the
time when he might think il, fit to sell; or
the right of demanding at pleasure, the pro-
ceeds when finally sold. The crops have to
be sent TO Q merchant Of. agert of the Gov.
ernments own selection /; with the amount
of expense of shipment. storage, commits.
sions of sale determined by them and final
", all the claims Of Government, through
this tedious, grinding" Toll process, must
be satisfied, before. the I poor machine
Of . planter can claim or expect one cent of
wages"
The freedmen are free To dispose Of their
of the crops, TO whom they please.
Fhen they please, Or in any msnner they
'lease, y they work for monthly wages, J,