The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-03
THE FREEDMEN,S BUREAU.
important letter from General Howard
His Reasons for Closing mp All but
the Claim Division of the Educational
Ws,rl

Important Letter from General Howard
His Reasons for Closing up All but
the Claim Division of the Educational
Work.
considerable effort has been making for
some time IRON various quarters to induce &C.
neral Howard to recommend the further con-
tinuance OF the Freedmen's Bureau IN the
belief that his recomne endatlon would have
great weight with Congress. He SAID nothing
ON The question IN his annual report, buL con-
tented himself with assuming that the general
WORK would close at New YEARS., and making
recommendations on that assumption. He mas
now, however, discussed the ma Ter in detail In
a letter to General Brown, Assistant Commis
sioner tor Virginia, and brings forward reasons
for closing up all but the clam division and
educational work, which the country will pro-
badly accept as conclusive against the further
continuance OF the Bureau, as q whole This
important letter is as iollows:-
WAR DEPARTMENT., BUREAU OF REFUGEES,
FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED LANDS Ds-WAsAING-
TON Dec !, l668.-Breyet Brig gadier General o.
Brown, Assistant Commissioners, RichmOLd, Va.
--GeneTal:-I have carefully examined those
parts OF your report urging the necessity of
Continuing the operations of this Bureau in
Virginia. The reasons presented are worthy OF
consideration.
1 have no doubt that continuance of the
Bureau in those States not yet RECONSTRUCTED
would, in many respects, be beneficial to the
freedmen, but l do not think its continuance
absolutely necessary or adequate, without other
and, 10 protect their lives or 10 secure to them
their political rights. The primitive object of
the Bureau as l Understood and interpreted the
law, was to give relief in such way rs to prepare
the freedman Tor his new condition, TO aid him
during the transition period from slavery to
freedom, by United States agency, presumed to
be free from local prejudice, TO protect him III the
enjoyment OF his natural aud acquired rights
Immediately consequent upon emancipation, to
inaugurate and secure 10 him system of free
labor and te foster aud develop his education.
l think much has been accon plished towards
this during the three years continuance OF the
Bureau, and that now we ouIht, with the
protection which wise legislation has thro Wn
around him, to give him tair trial under It's
Itis very true that, in many parts OF the late
slave States, II is difficult Tor q colored man to
get Justice in interior courts. In many counties
of all these States, his rights are neglected or
positively disIegarded. Among certain classes
q prejudice often amounting 10 hatred exists,
which only time can eradicate. The conduct of
this class may be restrained by wholesome en-
toIcement oil the law, but cannot be Iect6ed by
the officers of this Bureau. This has been
clearly demonstrated in the Btates which
have been reconstructed; My officers and
agents have mad very little power, when not
supported by the military or local civil
authority, to protect the exercise OF the right
OF suffrage, or other rights given by the new
consultation, and the recently enacted laws
OF the States. In unrecoustructed States this
protection can still be extended in more sum
mary way by the III ilitary Commander, through
his officers, under the authority of the Recon
structlon acts. All that Is needed is good set
OF officers with the Iie ht man IN command. In
your State an admirable system of military
commissioners, Inaugurated by General Scho-
nelo, II carried out as designed, it seems to me
will afford all the protection guaranteed by the
Reconstruction laws or several acts relating to
the organization OF this Bureau.
AN satisfied that all the wants in this direc-
ton suggested in your report can and should
be met by the post commanders through the
comh anding general; In fact, that II The whole
responsibility rests with him, he can afford bet
ter protection than is now afforded where the
responsibility " divided between him and the