Year: 1866

our own people-not even for the orphans
of those who have fallen in. the defence OF
the Union, but has left the care OF education
to the much more competent and efficient
control of the States, of communities, OF pri-
vate associations, and of individuals. 1t has
never deemed itself authorized to expend
the public money for the rent or purchase OF
homes for the thousands, not to say millions,
of the white race who are honestly tolllng
from day to day for their subsistence. A
system for the support of INDECENT persons IN
the United States was never contemplated
by the authors of the Constitution; nor can
any good reason be advanced why, as per-
manent establishment, it should be founded
for one class or color of our people more than
for another.


Pending the war, many refugees and freed
men received support from the Government;
but it was never intended that they should
thenceforth be fed, clothed, educated, and
sheltered by the United States The idea ON
which the slaves We're assisted to freedom
was that on becoming free they would be a
self-sustaining population. Any legislation
that shall imply that they are not expected
to attain a self-sustaining condition must
have a tendency injurious alike to their char
acter and their prospects The appointment
of an agent for every county and parish Will
create an immense patronage, and the ex-
pense of the numerous officers and their
clerks, to be appointed by the President, will
be great in the beginning, with tendency
steadily to increase.


The appropriations asked by the Freed
mems Bureau, as now established, for the
year 1866, amount to 81, ,745 900. 1t may
be safely estimated that the cost to be incur
red under the pending bill will require
double that amount-m0re than the entire
sum expended in any one year under the adj
ministration of the second Adams. If the
presence of agents in every parish and county
is to be considered as war measure, oppo-
sition, or even resistance, might be provok-
Ell, SO that to give effect to theirjurisdiction
troops would have to be stationed within
reach of every one of them, and thus a large
standing force be rendered necessary. Large
appropriations would, therefore, be required
to sustain and enforce military jurisdiction
in every county or parish from the Potomac
to the Rio Grande


The condition of our fiscal affairs is en-
couraging, but in order to sustain the present
measure of public confidence it is necessary
that we practice, not merely customary econ
omy, but, as far as possible severe retrench-
ment Is


In addition to the objections already stated
the fifth section of the bill proposes to take
| away land from its former owners without
any legal proceedings being first had, contra
! ry to that provision of the Constitution which
| declares that no person shall "be deprived
| of life, liberty, or property without due pro-
cess OF law" 1t does not appear that part
of the lands to which this section refers may
not be owned by minors, or persons of un-
sound mind, or by those who have been faith
ful to all their obligations as citizens of the
United States. If any portion of the land is
held by such persons it is not competent for
| any authority to deprive them of it. If, on
the other hand, it is found that the property
is liable to confscation, even then it cannot
he appropriated to public purposes until by
| due process OF law it shall have been declared
| forfeited to the Government.


| There is still further objection to the bill
on grounds seriously affecting the class of per-
| sons to whom it is designed to bring relief.
1t will tend to keep the mind of the freed
man in a state of uncertain expectation and
restlessness, while to those among whom he
| lives it will be source of constant and vague
apprehension.


Undoubtedly the freedman should be pro-
| tected, but he should be protected by the
| civil authorities, especially by the exercise OF
all the constitutional powers of the courts of
| the United States and of the States. His
| condition is not so exposed as may at first be
imagined. Heis in portion of the country
where his labor cannot be spared Competi-
tion for his services from planters, from those
who are constructing or repairing railroads,
or from capitalists in his own yicinage OF
from other States, will enable him to com
mand almost his own terms. He also pos
sesses perfect right is change his place OF
abode, and If, therefore, he does not find in
one community or State mode of life suit
ed to his desires, or proper remuneration fol
his labor, he can move to another where that
labor is more esteemed and better rewarded


In truth, however, each State, induced by
its own wants and interests, viii do what is
necessary and proper to retain within its Dor
ders all the labor that is needfnl for the de
velopement of its resources. The laws that
| regulate supply and demand will maintain
their force, and the wages of the laborer will
be regulated thereby. There is no danger
that the exceedingly great demand for labor
will not operate in favor of the laborer.


Neither is sufficient consideration given to
the ability Of the freedmen to protect and
take care of themselves. 1t is no more than
Justice to them to believe that as they have
! received their freedom with moderation and
forbearance, so they will distinguish them
selves by their industry and thrift, and soor
show the world that in condition of free
/ dom they are sclf-sustaining, capable oi
selecting their own employment and theil
own places of abode; of intisting for them
selves on proper remuneration, and of estab
fishing and maintaining their own asylum:
and schools. 1t is earnestly hoped that in
stead of wasting away, they will by their OWL
efforts establish for themselves condition o
respectability and prosperity. 1t is certain
that they can attain to that condition only
{. through their own merits and exertions. II
this connection the query presents itself
whether the system proposed by the bill vii
not, when put into complete operation, prac
tically transfer the entire care, support, ane
control of four millions Of emancipated slave
to agents, overseers, or taskmasters, who ap
pointed at Washington, are to be located il
every county and parish throughout tn


United States containing freedmen and re
fugees. Such system would inevitably tene
to concentration of power in the Executive
which would enable him if SO disDOseQ tt