Year: 1866




The passage, in the Senate, of Mr.. Trumbull' :
bill for continuing and cnlargins the operations of
the Freedmen's Bureau will be followed, We trust,
by its early passage in the House. The debate
was AMPLE ard itsis only the truth to say that
every argument urged against it was utterly re.
fucd. The ability and the tone Of the speeches ip
its favor were contrasted with those against it as
humanity and Justice and enlightenment are al
ways contrasted with justice and meanness. IL
was fitting that MIR. Garrett Davis should make =
wretched spectacle OF himself. and offer a motion
upon the final passage of the bill which the Pres-
dent of the Senate could not entertain; for the
fortunate Senator from kcntucky is distinguished
only, with Senator Salisbury of Delaware, by
bursts OF inp0tent and ridiculous rage wheney er
any proposition is made toward justice to the race
whose long unjust treatment by US brought the war
upon our homes and hearts. IL was fitting also, in
another way, that Senator from the Northwest, a
friend of President Lincons and from his State,
should have presented the bill which will Go so
much toward finishing his work.


Lands and education are to be the grounds Of
security for the liberty of the whole Southern
population. II they could only perceive it, every
step taken for the elevation oil the freedmen is an
immense gain for the Southern States aud for the
country. Whatever develops their selfrespecs
and stimulates them to industry and thrift brings
Us all nearer to permanent peace. Governor Orr,
of South Carolina, complains of the Freedmen s
Bureau as opposing and perplexins the President.
policy, and Of its confirming the tenure OF the Sea
Island district TO the freedmen for three years
an injustice. He also lamentS that the prospect o!
a homestead makes The freedmen unwilling 10 con
clude contracts.


Nothing is more probable. If Governor Or
were homeless, houseess, and landless; if he we're
IN the midst OF q community which despiscd and
hated him; If he knew that his most sacred ri gh;s
his most precious relations, werc at the mercy OF
those who were educated to regard bin and treat
him a OK or dog; If lie knew that the power
which had given him his freedom, and strong
enough TO maintain il, intended 20 Secure him
against the consequences of the cruel hostility
which surrounded him By giving him land and de-
feudins his right. upon il, we are inclined 20 be
lievc that Governor Orr-uness he were the dull
brute which the colored man is represented to be
by the political and social friends OF Governor Orr
but which his conuct disprOv, Ov,s--uOuld DO exactly
what the freedmen arc doing: he would wait the
action of his friends before conilng hmselfto his
enemies.


Governor Orr and the opponents Of the Freed
mems Bureau do not appear TO understand that ii
il just impossible tor the white population oil
the South to deal Justly by the freedmen it was
for the Catholics OF three centuries ago to be just;
to the Protestants. How absolutely and entirely
the white gentlemen ut the South misunderstood
the llored race and the conditions OF progressive
civiliz alton let our long war show. Nobody wo d
be mad as to insist that if the colored race had
been always fairly treated in the Sonth there
would have been any serious alienation ending 50
tragically And in view OF their ghastly failure in
dealing with the question, modesty mi cht prompt
these gentlemen 10 be slow and distrustu in offer
Ing their advice 20 those who have become the
guardians of the freed race.


1t is true that it is question of peculiar mo-
ment to tho Southern States, because the freed
men arc native in that section, and will inevitably
remain there. But j. is no less true that expert
enne has proved The Southern white policy upon
the subject to be intolerable to the peace of the
country. That policy was based upon a spirit oi
caste which is inconsistent with our whole system
and every sign in the Southern legislatures and
conventions and papers and speeches, and cores
pondence and conversation, and indeed in every
form by which opinion is expressed, shows that the
same policy will be con inued il the decision were
left to the same old authority. Thcro isa univer
sal tendency in the interested section toward black
codes, black laws. and absolute class distinction
But since the method which is utterly abhorrent to
the American prnci pie has failed. why not trv a
policy founded upon that principle7 Since injus
tco has plunged US into war, why not try justice i:
a means of keeping he peaccl Since we haze re
red that the late slaves men, why not treat
them as menl


1t il the object OF the Freedmen's Bureau to Sc
cure that treatment. This result can not be
reached without vexa,ious delays and perp,exities
There will be complaints, often well founded, o
the officers and agents employed. There will be
| friction and disappointment of many kinds in the
working of the system. But they will all be slow
/ ly and constantly working out toward justice anC
the equal rights of men, upon which foundation
only can future prosperity and union be erected
H0rpers Weekly.


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