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0225

2

causelessly discharged by their employers because of their voting the radical ticket. Not being familiar with farm labor nearly all of this class recently discharged are cut off entirely from earning a livelihood, hence their destitution. There is no unwillingness on the part of the freedmen to work, but are found in readiness to take advantage of all inducements offered them. Had not the Freedmen exercised the right of suffrage contrary to the wishes and desires of the conservative whites the suffering among the former would not exceed one half of the present number. It is the universal desire of those opposed to reconstruction under the Military Bill to drive the Freedmen into want and suffering and would if possible go still farther. The whites are not so well disposed to cultivate friendly relations with the Freedmen since the election. The vindictive spirit of the  former is freely exercised in taking

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-21 09:25:02 to add NARA and page number