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^AGoon Joke.—It is Wfll known in this vicinity that Mr. John S. Moreman was one of the mostkind and indulgent masters of which Southwertern Georgia could boast befere the liberation the negroes ; and afterwards, when the President’s amnesty proclamation was published, he called his servants around him and told them they were free, adding that those who wished to remain in his employ could do so, and that he would pay them at whatever rates the authorities might establish.— Eighteen of the negroes went to work at these terms, but having learned that they were to receive only half the crop and their board, c., for their labor, which they neglected almost altogether, they marched cn masse on Mr. Moreman, and asked what he intended to pay them for their time. He told them that lie intended to divide half the crop between them, and that they could dispose of it as they pleased. This they refused to accept, as some of the knowing ones had hgured it out to be greatly below what they expected per head, which was $10 per month. He told them it was their fault that his crops did not present a better appearance ; that they were *1101 half attended to ; but now, as he had no money to pay them he would give them the whole crop, and they were to continue on until the end of the year. They also refused this liberal offer, saying they would work no more if he would not pay them $10 per month. Mr. Moreman could not, in justice to himself, allow them more than by giving them all they made, and finally told those who were not satisfied with his last proposition that they were at. liberty to findother homes. The negroes accordingly left, butwe doubt if they will find a master more indulgent and liberal than Mr. M. The fact has been plainly illustrated in this case, that the negro will not work unless compelled. Can our .planters be blamed for casting off such worthless drones, who, when they had everything furnished them gratis, could not ratee enough provisions to pay for their own time. Planting will be abandoned to a great extent after the close of the present year, and we can see nothing encouraging in the future for the cotton manufacturers of the North. The negro is free, and King Cotton has lost his prestige—a dethroned fugitive—that may find an asylum in Africa or the Indies, but within the United States he can never raise his proud and snowy head again.Albany Patriot.
Newspaper Details
Milledgeville Southern Recorder
Milledgeville, Georgia, US
Tue, Aug 15, 1865
Page 1
Full Page
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Anonymous
USA 13 Oct 2022
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