New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-09

tnrOpnlc ana HDeraI Inlnueu, anu the oppoT-
tunity for colored men of the Southern belt
to demonstrate their ability in these respects
by putting into execution such elements OF
manhood, uncontrolled by the white race, has
been deemed utterly impractieable.
The necessities of the Government, how
ever, growing out of the rebellion compelled
test, in partial way, of the true genius
and moral worth of the millions now enjoying
freedom.
Although in many portions of the South
they are living under intimidating and coer-
cling influences, varied with threats of expul-
sion from houses and lands, brutal whippings,
and murders, disgraceful to civilized commu-
mites, history points to no race with such
meagre opportunities who have surpassed
them.
On either side of the Mississippi, from the
upper section of the cotton region DOWN
ward, the industry of the colsred man pre-
sents itself. The thousands Of bales of cot
ton which freight the magnificent steamers
both on their upward and downward trips,
are the products of negro industry and labor
On this commodity depend the different COM
panies and lines of boats for support.
Were the freedmen the dependent class
heretofore represented--if entrusted with
freedom and the responsibility of directing
their energies-the proud steamers that now
pillow the waters of the South would, with
hardly an exception, be unemployed, evinc-
ing very clearly that upon the self-directing
and untiring industry of this once oppressed
people, the marine and mercantile firms of
the South, as heretofore, depend for their
sustenance. The dilapidated plantation
houses, rendered so by the shiftlessness of
former white occupants and owners, are only
kept from tumbling down by the economy
and perseverance of the blacks. Rid the
South of the negro element of strength and
prosperity, and the philanthropist of the
North would be called upon to relieve from
restitution the once rebel lords-planters
and their dependent posterity. The panacea
for the white mans hunger to-day, is his
knowledge that, settled over the broad area
of cotton lands are the industrious sons of
Ham, identifying the fields with their hus-
bandry.
The hope of the South has been to per-
petuate to the most distant day the negrO's
ignorance, and by the rent of land, sale of
ratiOns, and the manipulation of returns from
crops, to keep the laborers generally poor and
subservient.
The destruction caused by the war through
out the cotton States was so complete that
double the energy is now required by colOred
planters that there was when under the
yoke, when supplies and implements were,
after years of husbandry by the owners, ON
hand for use. The deficiency in mules,
horses, wagons, and other implements has to
be supplied anew, while every conceivable
means is employed to extort the last penny
from the honest laborer. Such will inevita-
bly, be the result until education can be more
thoroughly disseminated. But to make fair
test and to understand fully the competency
of the new freeman--what The adds to the
mercantile and material wealth of the coun-
try, and also to demonstrate clearly the glar-
ing and false representations against the
race, the devastation caused in the South
necessary to the destruction of slavery, in
implements and material for agricultural pur-
poses, has to be taken into account, and
should be placed to the credit of the freed
man, having as they do to replace the supply
for present and future use and success. To
fully surmount the difficulties and avert the
evil surroundings of the colored men by their
enemies a thorough system of education is
desirable, and one which to be furnished in
a tangible and substantial form must be from
men and women of their own race who have
some affinity of feeling and desire for their
advancement, rather than the class of in
structors now perambulating the South in
quest of cash at the expense of those they
assume to instruct. Could honesty of pur-
pose be made the incentive in the aim to in
struct them, the educational system would
act as safeguard, and check the general
swindling in all positions and situations
where the freedmen come in contact with
the whites.
Indefatigable in their determination to sue
coed, and with clear knowledge of constant
advantages being taken of their ignorance,
yet at the hands of this people, and them
alone, agriculture is advancing, Republican,
ism rendered more secure, and the wealth
and revenue of the country increasing.
Agriculture being the basis, and the negro
the laborer, for the success of our institution,
we give him the credit.
review of the cotton trade of the United
States from free colored labor, the effect OF
this one commodity upon the money market,
affecting all branches of trade and industry
in great or less degree, is well worth con-
sideration by those who have been unceasing
in their expostulation and clamor against the
true status of this class of the American
people. l .-
What is true of the cotton States and their
population is equally true and applicable to
the sugar, tobacco, and rice growing sections.
Here also, they (the freedmen) are forcing
their way through the stereotyped prejudices
of the past century, uneducated, yet contrib
uting means and luxuries to the world at
large. The avidity with which the colored
people South acquire all the facilities which
lead nations to prominence will shortly set at
rest all questions respectiny manhood and