Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-05-21
,ATURDAx MORNING, MAY 81, 1853.
Col. Netherlands Policy with regard 10
Free Persons of Color.

Free Persons of Color.
II has been the settled policy in this State from
the earliest period of its history to discourage and
prevent the increase and accumulation Of free
oolored population in our midst. The wisdom Of
this policy is attelted by the experience of every
slaye-holding State in this Union and the enforce
meet of the most stringent laws on cur Statute
Books sgainst the domieiistion Of Free negroes il
this commonwealth. has scarcely been sufficient fol
the entire removal of the evil Our Legislature
has wisely provided against its growth, however
by requiring that every slave emsnepsted in thi.
State shall be removed beyond Us limits. But fol
this provident legislation We should have been over
run long ago by an idle and worthless population
Of free negroes, who, coming into daily cOnset with
our slaves would render them insuboIdiDste vicious
and vsueless.
In 1881, the Legislature Of Tennessee passed g
Law, chsp:er IO2. entitled "Au act concerning free
persons of color. and for other purposes" The first
section prohibits, under severe penalties any free
negroes from removing this State to reside there
in, and remain therein twenty days.
The second section is as follows:
"Tbal it shall not be lawful, from and after the
passage of this act for any court, any owner or
slave or slaves, except on the express niitiOn,
that such slave or slaves shall be Immediately re-
moved from this Stst, and every person or persons
desiring to emanciPste any slave or slaves, shall,
before such emancipation be allowed, enter into
bond wi good and sufficient security in a sum
equal 10 he value of such slave or slaves so to be
emancipated, coud tIgnal thst said slave slaves
shall forthwith IemJve from this Stale, which said
conoi ion shall be part of the judgment of such
court"
IL may we'll be doubted whether any law ever en-
acts d by the Legislature has contributed more to
the peace and welfare of the State, the security
of our slave property. than that to which We refer
above. Yet Col NErHERLaNO while member of the
State Senate Of 1854 ted to "repeal so much Of
the act of 1881, concerning free persons of color
IS requires the emancipstor of slaves to remove
them without the limits fthe State" [Ses Senate
Journal, page l39.]
The proposition which Col NETHERLAND sup
ported, repeal the law of 1884, was defeated after
full discussion, and the Law now stands on our
statute book, contrary to Col. NETHERLANDS vote
and efJrs, secure defence glinst the increase of
q free negro populetiO in this State
Again, at the same session of the Legislature a
bill was introduced to authorize ANTHONY FOSTER
to emaDcipate certain slaves. The bill being read
Mr. CANNON offered the following amendment, to-
wit;
provided said slaves be not permitted TO remain
IN any county of this state"
Against tdis amendment requiring the removal Of
the liberated slaves from the stIe, Col. NEITHER
LAND voted aud finally voted for the passage Of the
bill au Jrizng the emancipation Of The negroes
and al o wing them to remain in the Safe. [See
S.nst- Journal, pa ge244
twill be seea fir, m taese and other votes of
similar character, that Col. NETHERLAND has been
steadily opposed TO the policy adopted Ly the Lgs
lsture t. prevent the increase of tae free cOlOed
population in t1is State. If the Law requiring the
rem1val of emaacipated slaves had been repealed,
according to CJl NATHER1AND's desire, the State
would have long ago filed With q class Of in
habants destructive to ali the best interests Of its
citizens and dangerous to the existence of one Of
its most delicate and valuable institut Ous.
The value of slave properly in Tennessee would
have been materially diminished if Col NEITHER
LANDS policy had prevailed in 1888; if his party
should succeed now, in their efforts to overthrow
the Democracy and place the Opposition in power,
the result will be still disastrous TO the rights
and interests of the South. Col NsrHERLAED's
present position is perfectly consistent with his po-
sition when a member of the Legislature. The
policy which he then favored would have aided and
advanced the suti-slsvery cause. The movement
in which he ard the other leaders of his party are
now engaged will, in any event, give encouragement
10 the Black Republicans, and if successful, will
proslrate the South at the feet of her enemies.