Mostly because they feared any kind of rebellion (second option), there were rumors of rebellion and that the government would grant 40 acres and a mule to the ex-slave families.
Answer:
Southern citizens feared freed slaves threatened the institution of slavery and would try to encourage slave rebellions
Explanation:
The southern citizens had the feelings that since the freed slaves were former slaves they would have influence on the slaves who are yet to be freed when they have access to them.
The southern cities and states legislatures passed laws to limit the rights of the freed slaves to contain the fears been entertained by the southerns citizens who owned slaves in the U.S. the white churches were not losing members to the independent church movement due to the freedom of the freed slaves.
