Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-02-23
PUBLIC LEDGER
1ApnR AND LApORRRs.

lne cOmmtTCldl otiChSe4i " NN'D ~
try and its wonderful growth during the
thirty years next preceding the late civil
war resulted from a system OF hxed
labor. We then had labor that could be
controlled, and the amount OF produc'
tons could be calculated with compare
tive accuracy. The laborer was subject
TO a law he could neither repeal nor
break. His own support was assured
while industries of every description ac-
commodated their interests to the single
fact of production. The laboring classes
supported all other classes and were the
backbone of ali enterprises. Whoever
heard of paupers among the laborers OF
the South--the producers Of the staple
that had, in the course of quarter OF
century, revolutionized the commerce OF
the nations and developed the fact that
the cotton belt of the South was the only
territory that could, with certainty, in
all time to come, supply the world with
that which had become indispensable to
its prorress-cotton2 Call it king, or
what you will, it is the greatest power
on this continent, and without it Old Eng
land and New England would lose their
power and be shorn of their prosperity.
And now, would it not seem that these
countries, so interested in the produc-
ton of cotton, should not only throw no
impediment in the way of its produc-
ton. but facilitate it in every manner
possible? Without certain, reliable
labor, its production cannot keep pace
with the demand for it. Common sense
teaches the fact If no better motive
should stimulate New England TO aid in
the achievement Of certain labor for the
production of commodity without
which her power her prosperity and her
influence would come to an end, GER
tainly avarice should prompt her TO &C
ton. As all the world knows, of ayarice
she has enough.
And now comes this New England,
and throws her influence in favor of re-
firing the negro laborer of the South from
the fields, and making a politician and
pauper of him. At her instigation he
has left the snow-white fields of cotton,
donned the cast-oif uniform of a Federal
soldier, repaired to the cities and towns,
and become pauper and thief. And
here comes that worst of all institutions,
the Freedman Bureau, to uphold HIM
in his crimes and worthlessness, and
complete his ruin. 1t is a measure that
strikes directly at the progress OF indus
try and the operations of commerce. 1t
reverses the old order Of things in
manner so vital TO all industrial in
terests that a change will soon be
demanded. The laborer in the fields of
the South supported in great part the
Government. That was the natural
order OF things. But to take that prop
of Government and commerce from the
fields, hurry him of to the towns and
tax the country to support him, is
moustrous folly and fragrant crime. And
only yesterday, in the House at Wash
ington, one Hoar objected to striking
out the Freedmans Bureau from the APP
preparations. Mr.. Hoar wants the mis-
cradle negro to loaf about the towns in
his rags and his filth for the sake of his
vote. He wants him thus to Illustrate
the tender care the Radical party has
for his interests. The people who toll
the white men and women who labor
must contribute to clothe and feed the
miserable, idle, ignorant, dirty negroes
that swarm in clouds, black and disgust
ing, about Washington and other cities.
Why is it that the country does not rise
up and denounce this monstrous out
rage2