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Colored people as a class incline to be what they call Radicals, and if left to themselves in the coming elections, they will surely make this felt. By this very fact they will of course bring themselves in direct conflict with the set principles of a strong majority of the most favored classes of the whites. How this will eventuate is left to be seen.  At present there is, if anything, a more than ordinary effort mad to warn the Negro against the teachings and doctrines of the Yankees; and I have heard of a few vague rumors of an implied perpose to coerce the freedmen into furthering the interests of the whites; but as of yet I have been unable to ascertain that this thing has taken any tangible shape; but should anything definite further transpire in this relation, I will of course make Suitable report thereon. In the meantime, I have taken, and continue to take, every available precaution, as directed by Circular No 8-, C.S. Hd. Qts. Asst. Com'r., to clearly enlighten the minds of the freedmen, simply as to their rights under the law, and their duty to themselves and the Country at large, leaving them to the exercise of their own volition as to the choice of parties; being likewise most particular to counsel moderation in all matters; the cultivation of kindly feelings on all sides; the abandonment, as visionary, of any inordinate hopes, which will most likely never to be realized; the persevering in continued industry, &c; and I also, while endeavoring   

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-13 16:24:43 The crossbars of this author's "t"s often look like hyphens. Have removed them where transcribed as hyphens. Removed the notations of crossout and insertion. The "&c" is to be typed as is, with no insertion notation. Also, there was not a crossout in this sentence. ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-13 16:53:24