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city at least, to enjoy the benefits of good schools. But all that is done in this way is only by the continued efforts of this Bureau. I am not mistaken when I declare that if the matter of enlightening the freedmen, by a school education was left to the white citizens, the unfortunate class would be indefinitely continued in ignorance and mental darkness such as slavery alone can entail. I find opposition, everywhere, to the establishment of schools, in getting houses, in providing teachers, and in the social hostility exhibited toward all who in any way connect themselves with so worthy a cause. Why the citizens can wish to keep the negro in almost brutal ignorance, I cannot divine. The more they can elevate this class mentally, the more peace, the more safety they can expect under the new relations. But were I to attempt to demonstrate the spirit and sentiment of the people as bearing on the government, and especially the freedmens Bureau interest; I should make this report too voluminous, and lead you through all the different branches of the social political and civil organization of society, and find everywhere constant proof of determined hostility against such feasable Bureau policy as would seem consistent with the rights and interests of negroes as freedmen. As to the Bureau itself it is well known that the citizens here as elsewhere are using great efforts to have it discontinued. In order to demonstrate the absolute necessity of an organization like the Bureau and of the policy of such general rules and regulations as do, to a great extent, control the same, it is only