The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-01-02
MISSISSIPPI.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD.

Progress OF Reconstruction In the state-Com-
position of the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of
n N0n.AdOpuiOn OF the COnstitst ella
lions Between the Whites and Negroes
Military Order Compelling freedmen TO
JACKSON, Dec 20, 1867.
Reconstruction In this State progresses very slowly
and IL is yet matter OF serious doubt whether
she will wheel into line under the Of the
listing military bills unless they amended modified
In particulars unless the republican party Of the
North from the shock has experienced
at the hands Of the democracy. When these bills
first passed and presented to tho Southern people With
sort Of understanding that they to be final SETTLE
Of the whole question-distastefa they In
their main features tho people nevertheless dis
posed accept them, with the hope Of thereby gaining
representation and repose. Indeed, nins-tentns
OF the whites OF Mississippi would have
voted last spring for reconstruction under these
bills; and more than ope-haf the journals OF the
state. including the Catonthe Official Journal of the
Stae-wers earnestly advocating reconstruction ths
basis Conservative reconssrucon clubs we're formed
and some the prominent or the State Of ali
shades Of political opinions heretofore. wrote letters
and went before the people urging acqusscence IN the
terms proposed. All seemed TO promise fairly aud for
time the prospect seemed very fair Of carrying the
State for reconstruction a conservative basis But
the arrogance Of the few leading republicans 10 this
State, in whose hands the machinery Of the loyal
leagues together with the OF tho democratic
party OF the North, determined the mass OF tue
white people Of the State to have no further part or lot
In the matter few months the republicans met
hore in convention. and their proceedings drove from
the ranks Of rscons ructon Thousands who Otherwise
would have voted for 1t
Tho failure OF the whites to register rendered for
some time doubtful whether not the Convention
carried and close the that General Ord has
yet deemed 1t polite TO announce II officially He
rssuaritiss Of registering officers but that sufficient
data have been received a. headquarters TO justify him
In calling the Convention, which he has accordingly
done. II meets In this city on the 7th proximo pro-
pose keeping you advised OF It's deliberations IL will
be decidedly radical for the purposes OF that parry
although there will be strong conservative element In
the body There will be mt least thirty gentlemen Ia
who heart the true interests OF the people, and
who. while they would favor the present terms Of recon-
struction, are not wiling TO so beyond them. There
will DO quite number OF delegates OF the colored por
suason but 90 far have been able to learn, not one
Of that class Of any ability There will be enough Of
'paner' sort however, 70 lead them In ioyal" paths
Of legislation.
this Convention will not DO ratified The whites will
vote almost unit against H. and the backs have
high an appreciation Of the franchise privilege AZ
they had before was conferred upon them They can't
any money in tho bread meat but they be-
ginning TO see how by their votes they bringing
white TO the surface who here ofore could not
mand the respect OF their race, and for
the blacks only so long they be made useful for
party purposes personal prelermont The whites
have determined TO rule this country and they will
II. They too poor TO emgrate. II they desired,
and they cannot 1.-Two here In political equality rather
In subordnstion TO the black man. In this and IN other
Southern States IL true they arc IN the minority
numbers but through the blessings OF freedom. the
IL will take them some time to all die out; bat their
race Is doomed, unless the radicals let them alone.
The Southern PROFESSIONALISM Il who may-ars
friendly their former slaves II should be ether
wise But there Ia gradually beng manifested a spirit
Of mutual distrust, the result OF many consprng
causes When freedom burst upon the black man he
seemed th NIX that the Injunction "in the sweat OF
thy face shalt thou eat thy breadn longer applied
him and Ii was some time before no could realize
that freedom work. And wnen he did 70 10
work his hours Of labor ad TO oe regulated By many
cond tons II was deemed unhealthy to touch the
deuv IN hans and
to working 10 the raD, or otherwise being exposed
was out OF the question. The consequence was the
wear OF 1896 a disastrous one TO the planting
interest," and In most cases the planter after reu-
bursting his merchant for supplies, had not
enough to pay his laborers the ex.ravagant
wages demanded or the portion OF the crop
agreed upon. And 1t Is still worse this year.
The little cotton made commands begzarly price
that is scarcely worth the trouble OF preparing for
the market Our people are consequently discouraged,
and viii be necessarily compoled 70 limit their farm.
ing operations the coming year Indeed, many are
dischargng their hands even where the latter
debted Tor supplies In other instances the freedmen
seem ndisposed to engage for another year, and
other killing stock upon the plantations nockng 10
the towns aud villages to 1--we by occasional jobbing
these operations and much alarm have .hey
already raised Ia The pablo mind that Governor Hum
phreyB mas Issued proclamation upon tho subject
which meets tue approval VI General Ord, and which
will doubtless have the sauary effect OF checking the
pretensons Of these ambitious dsturOers OF tho peace
Tho following order, just issued, VIII also have good
effect u
HrApouARrrRs Sur. DISTRICT or MssIssrrfIl
vicKsBuRa Hiss Dec ", 1871 !
directed notify the leading oil.
aud such other measures as may 20 nece
say give general publication Of tue fso% tat all freed