The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-13
From the Nashville AmsTit0a.
RrAa RAUrAas

|
bill Of great importance to the State was
some time 81 CO introduced in the house by Mr.
Martin, of Maury, which we earnestly hope may
become law before the close Of the session. h
has recei we'd the warm commentator of many
of the most influential presses of the State.
We make two extracts below, for the purpose OF
calling the attention Of the members of the leg.
islature to the opinions of the people:
From the JMurffessboro Telegraph.
FREE PERSONS OF CoLoR.-We notice in the
legislative proceedings that Mr.. Martin, of Maury,
has introduced in the house, "a bill to regulate
the emancipation of slaves, and to provide for
the transportation of free persons Of color to
the Western coast of Africa" We have not
| seen the provisions of the bill but regarding
MIR. M. we'll qualified to form bill that would
BE- acceptable to the people Of Tennessee we
have every confidence that they are good.
This subject is one of growing interest to
the people Ct Tennessee, and every day that rolls
by, convnces us Of the importance of taking
some steps to free our State of the great evil.
The Northern States are forcing their free ne
groes from within their limits Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, and other States, have recently engrafted
provisi ms in their State constitutions, forbidding
free negroes, removing into them, and in some
instances forcing them to leave the State. In
our own State something must be done to rem
| edy the evil also, and we are pleased to know
that bill is before the Legislature providing for
their removal, &c. ."E.
While upon this subject we will state for the
benefit Of our sister counties, that petitions are
| now circulating in this county, numerously
signed, praying the legislature may take such
steps as in their wisdom may seem best, regard.
ing this important subject Let all follow the
example Of Rutherford. People of this con.
gressonal district, come up with your petitions,
aud let there be general demonstration through.
out the State. .....
H.. From the Fayetteville Observer. "
FREE NEGRoEs-the free negro population
of Tennessee, and the subject OF emancipation
seem To be topics of growing interest. With
many, both are very exGeptionable Many CON-
plants are alleged against the former, while de-
cided and formidable opposition to the latter is
to be found an ong all classes of our white in
habitants, unless upon certain conditions-viz
an unconditional removal beyond the limits of
the State. In our own county, we have noticed
with qualification, the stands taken upon the
subject of renewing free negroes bonds in
several instances, by our county court The
dtlicuty-and in some cases, the absolute re-
iusal-to grant renewal, indicates public sem
timent upon the subject of cursing our country
with an increase, or even the present number,
OF free negroes. However strong claims they
may have upon our charity and forbearance, it
is nevertheless trne, that tie drawbacks and in
roads they may make upon the peculiar ipstitu-
ton Of the South, slavery, in producing disqui-
atude and refractory conduct among the slave
population, by example and otherwise, has a d.
rect influence in causing the most humane to
wish the country rid of tia class. Self preserva-
ton and pecuniary interest, prompt and cherish
4 desire to zee our land shorn of these degraded
creatures, by colonization in their mother coun-
try. .....
| Touching the subject Of emancipation, il is
beyond all question the desire of an overwhelm.
ing majority of the people of Lincoln county,
to place the emancipation of the slave upon the
condition of transportation. And, Judging from
recent movement made in our legislature by
Barclay Martin, of Maury, We have the evi
dence that Lincoln Is not the only county,
whose interest begets desire to better the con-
dition of both white and black, by transporta-
ton 10 Africa Immediately after the emancipa-
| lion of the slave. ..'..
Mr.. Martins bill, as we understand it, no,
only contemplates the regulation Of emancipa
ton, but provides means for the transportation
of free negroes from Tennessee TO africa. To
emancipa,e slave under the provisions Of this
bill, the owner is required to first place at The
disposal Of the circuit court, fund sufficient "a
transport the slave TO Africa, and support him
six months after he reaches that country; and
upon this being done by the owner, or by any
negro now free, the ju ge is to notify the gov.
ernor, who will Immediately send him to some
seaport to be transported. As to those FIRE,
negroes now under bonds, the bill provides thai
if they fail to renew them, o. If the county cour
refuse to renew them, they are to be at once ar,
rested and brought before the circuit court
where they may elect 10 enter into bonds or be
transported, and IL no election be made, the exist
| ing law is to be enforced.