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people by the laws of the State, and they will suffer much from the hands of those who profess to best understand them and to be their best friends.

What is now the greatest need of the Freedmen of the South is education, education not only in letters, but in morality, in law, in social rights and privileges. The gift of freedom to an oppressed people may be a great blessing, and he who arouses in the bondsman the sense and spirit of freedom and leads them to its possession, comes nearer than all other men to the great creative attribute of God. But if the people freed be not educated, the gift may curse the giver, and the transition from slavery to freedom, may be followed as quickly by a transition of the freemen to the ruffian. This is strikingly proven by the recent alarming increase of crime among the Freedmen. Thefts are of daily occurrence, and thus the necessity of educating this people, so that they may discern the right from wrong, as well as establishing rigid laws that they may be punished for crime.

During the month of September I attempted to establish a school at this Post. I made application and received the promise of two teachers, but was compelled on account of the bitter opposition with which the project met from the citizens of the town and county to give up the effort, much to the great disappointment of the Freedmen. I had as I have at present no guard to protect me in the discharge of my duties. A number of the most intelligent citizens promised me their support in providing for the education of this