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0877

on legal points of which they do not thoroughly understand the reason. It very frequently occurs that both parties are in the wrong, each endeavoring to get the upper hand of the other. such cases when they are brought to the attention of the civil authorities are generally decided justly, though sometimes in the rural districts, they require to have their attention called to the cases before they will take action thereon.  There are certain societies of whites, opposed to the policy of the government in its action toward the colored people, that have been formed in the counties, (Fauquier in particular), which have for their object the opposition of all measures tending to the elevation of the freedmen; their action is in direct opposition to any early constitutional restoration of the state to its relations with the general government and to the elevation of the colored people as a class and measures are taken by them to keep the heel of oppression upon the necks of the colored citizens as long as possible, hoping, thereby, to finally get the balance of power again in their hands and be able to prevent the loyal element from exercising or enjoying their rights if some serious conflict between the parties may be brought on by some of the more irrepressible members of these organizations when the election on the constitution comes

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-23 11:43:56 NARA # added "endeavoring"