Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-01-16

y1u may be CN1ne1 i0oae~9gnt adrift without PRO-
lection. You must, if you remain in cur midst, 70
into that condition which viii inure to your benefit,
and the benefit Of the great mass Of our citizens.
Bat twelve months ago it is in the recollection Of all
that they experienced such acts Of oppression IS
would almost freeze the blood Of a man; they were
hunted in their homes driven out of their neigh
borhoods But where could they go? If they
crossed our State line they were met by the same
class Of laws If they crossed into free State they
found themselves excluded by thelaws there There
| isnO place for them to flee TO- Now sir what harm
does this bill do to this class Of peysonsg Gentle
men must concede that slavery is their proper con-
dton; that it inures to their benefit as we'll as to
the benefit Of the white race 1t was for their ben
/ eft that introduced il. | do not desire to force
| them. / do think 1t is the most mistaken notion
imaginable for a Southern master to free his slaves
/ The bill in my opinion is foundedupona great prin-
oiple Of public policy, and demanded by the humane
| feelings of our hearts.
Mr. DAVIDSON. 1 accord with the general prin-
ciple stated-the nferority of the black race Just
as hold that position, hold also that equality was
never intended by the Creator either in regard to
/ the white OF the black man. Men are created with
much difference with respect to their intellect as
| to their faces and where it speaks of men being
born free aud equal, it must be understood in legal
| sense. But the gentleman says twelve months ago
we were in a difficulty; and if this difficulty origin
ated with the free coored population on account Of
their bad influence over The slave population will
you lessen the amount Of that influence by allowing
the free black 60 and give himself into sort OF
| guardianship to q white man Ii the free colored
population have used the diff ujty, you rene
dy the evil by allowing them 20 60 and sell them
selves into sort Of slavery which will allow them
to remain amongst the slaves? How do you diminish
their influence? VIII they not remain amongst the
slaves as heretofore / want to strike at the root
Of the evil IL it is necessary 90 do it, would say
to these free negroes, let them travel But do not
want to resort 10 any sort Of suberfuge, in order
that they may evaGe responsibility.
! Mr. COOPER UnqucstOnably we lessen their
influence. The master becomes responsible if he
allows them 20 live free persons. We change their
condition; and, necessarily, We change and destroy
the influence which, is free persons, they bring to
bear upon all slaves.
Mr. DUNLAP objected to the amendment He
would not exclude the person who should accept the
slave, from the privilege of doing on account Of
| his poverty.
Mr. ST JOHN opposed the bill and the amend
ment taking the view and alleging the sentiment Of
Mr. Davidson.
Mr. COOPER desired to avoid the objection against
the contract, for want Of consideration. He mOdi-
fed the amendment by inserting "One-tenth," in
stead Of &" one-fourthD
Mr. SMARTT proposed to amend, BY adding ::
provided that ali fire. persons Of color in this State
be required to accept the provisions Of this act,
leave the State"
! Mr. COOPER objected; and
! Mr. SMARTT withdrew the amendment.
Mr. FRAZER proposed to amend, by adding
Crowded further, that none of the provisions Of
this act shall apply any child children, after
he, she, or they arrive to the age Of % years"
On motion by Mr. COOPER, the amendment was
laid on the table.
Mr. DOBSON proposed to amend by striking out
that part Of the bill, which exempts such persons 50
| sold into slavery from execution.
| MIR ROWLES moved Indefinite pOsfpOnemenk Of
the bill with its amendments.
| Mr. THOMPSON made a speech sustaining the
general principle alleged by Mr. Cooper to have eici-
ted the draft Of the bill There constitution
al power in the Legislature Danish the free black.
1t amerciful and humane provision, for the ben
| fit Of an unprotected class of persons. He saw no
objection to the BILL but strenuously opposed the
| amendment Of the gentleman from Polk (Nlr Dob
! SON.
| Mr. RANDOLPH objected, upon the ground, that
the bill proposed to give the money and effects Of
the persons thus sold into slavery to the proposed
MASTER without consideration. The bill did not in
form the free negro Of the consequences of the
| transaction.
Mr. THOMPSON alleged that the bill provides,
that such persons shall be priVily examined and in
! formed in the premises
Mr. COOPER alleged, that the Court was the
| guardian Of the negro in the transaction.
Mr. RANDOLPH proceeded further to object
/ against the bill, at length-it a proposition TO
allow negro and a white man to 60 into void
contrac-leading constantly to frauds and imposi-
| tiOns upon the latter class Of persons.
| The question was then taken on Mr. ROWLES'
motion to postpone indefinitely, and 1t was rejected
| by yeas I, nays 50.
! The question then required on the adoption Of
| Mr. DobsOn's amendment.
Mr. DOBSON had not offered the amendment 20
embarrass the bill lie could not vote for it without
| the amendment. The master has the right to sell
such slave yet the bill 10 cCntravenion Of justice
proposes to exempt this property from the claim Of
| his creditors. Here was point for the gentleman
from Maury, who had on another occasion declared
his opposition to class legislation. lie should not
object to the power oftransfer; but ifhe exemption
from execution were retained, II ought also, mani
testify and for the same reason, to be provided that
such slave shall never be sold as a may sell
a slave born in his house.
Mr. THOMPSON spoke again.
After further debate