The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-02

HEADQUARTERS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Rale h, ". c., May 18th, 1868.
CIRCULAR No. 4.
The Assistant Commissioner is desirous OF
drawing the attention of the colored people OF
this State to the importance and benefit of the
'Freedmens 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 depository
perfectly safe, and at the same time accommodating
interest. "A penny saved is penny earned, y
was the maxim of 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 cOmpounding interest, the orig inal
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 as they are
hOuselcss, without shelter for their families, and
without proper apparel and food, so 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 intempcrancr, is far worse than their former
"A Iu!l appreciation Oh inc IDGTtN, aQ-
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 for
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 prodigality, vice, crime, slavery
either morally or physically-the other presents
Industry, economy, sobriety, prosperity and hap
pincss. One great and important lesson for you
to learn, is the value and power of money.
The wcalthiest men Of our land were, few
years since, among the poorest boys ofthe coun-
try. They acquired wealth and independence by
Industry, honesty and economy. To save 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 Il task, gradually, but surely,
grows to be a satisfaction and pleasure Unless
the commencement is made, and the foundation
laid, you will remain in poverty and want. Let
every cent now wasted in purchasing tobacco,
liquors, jewelry or fancy clothing, be saved,
placed in the Savings Bank, and when enough
has been accumulated, buy ahomestead, 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
or.other causes suspend daily employment, the
little sum in the Bank grows larger every hour.
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 a 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
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
the Bank, and coming years will show the wis
dom of such 4 course.
By command of
Col and Bvt. Maj Gen. NELSON A. MILES,
Assistant Commissioner.
ANDREW GEDDES,
1st Lieut.. A A A Gen'l