words, their equality with us, before law, and regard it as no less
just to ourselves and them than to our State and her best interests
to aid in their education, elevation, and enjoyment of all the
rights which follow their new condition."

Governor Patton, of Alabama, says:

"It seems to me that it is the true feeling of the Southern people
to contribute their best influence in favor of an early
organization of their respective States, in accordance with the
requirements of the recent reconstruction act. Congress claims the
right to control this whole question. In my humble judgment, it is
unwise to contend longer against its power, or to struggle further
against its repeatedly expressed will."

* * * * *

"The freedmen are now to vote the first time. We should cherish
against them no ill-feeling. The elective franchise is conferred
upon them; let them exercise it freely, and in their own way. No
effort should be made to control their votes, except such as may
tend to enable them to vote intelligently, and such as may be
necessary to protect them against mischievous influences to which,
from their want of intelligence, they may possibly be subjected.
Above all things, we should discourage everything which may tend to
generate antagonism between white and colored voters."

In Mississippi, Albert G. Brown, a former Democratic United States
Senator, and a rebel, says:

"To those who think it most becoming men in my situation to keep
quiet, I am free to say 'that is very much my own opinion.'"

"As I speak reluctantly, you will not be surprised if I say as
little as possible."

* * * * *

"The negro is a fixture in this country. He is not going out of
it; he is not going to die out, and he is not going to be driven
out. Nor is his exodus from the country desirable. I am frank in
saying if they, every one of them, could be packed in a balloon,
carried over the water, and emptied into Africa, I would not have
it done, unless, indeed, it were already arranged that the balloon
should return by the way of Germany, Ireland, Scotland, etc., and
bring us a return cargo of white laborers. If the negro is to stay
here, and it is desirable to have him do so, what is the duty of
the in