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of slavery, to this hour, they have as a people, astonished mankind by the facility with which they have adopted themselves to their new-borne freedom, and earned the lasting gratitude of the people of the South (however unwillingly they may accord it.), by the moderation with which they have used their lately acquired Liberty. And in no section of the South, will these observations apply with more justice, than to this county. Whatever may be the feeling of the white people of this county towards the Government, it gives me much satisfaction to record the steadfast Loyalty of the Freedmen and their ardent attachment to Republican principles — The more to be valued, when it is remembered, that in this county, such opinions are not tolerated. 

In view of this state of things I regard it as a no less  bise[[?]] than just measure, that congress has conferred upon them the Ballot for their protection, and even that salutary check against oppression, will I fear, prove inadequate — unless the deep-rooted prejudices of the people of this county and their undisguised hostility to the Reconstruction Measures of the Government, are overcome by wholesome restraints, or rendered powerless for evil. Already there is a determination among many white people of this county to vote against calling a state convention to amend or frame a new constitution for this state, for the reason, that they say, by the present state constitution, the Freedmen are denied the right of suffrage, hence they say, if a convention is not called the Freedmen cannot vote, unless congress gives them the right. 

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