Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-12-08


would have thought it bad policy to create any
banks at all. Itwould have been far better for Ken
lucky, IN my opinion, if had had one in the
state; bnt having them-dependent are upon
tnem with the whole trade and interests Of the State
deeply interviewer with them--we must guard and
protect those in existence. and the vast interests
they have committed TO their hands.
Communication from Justice CaIrOn.
To THE EDrroR or THE UNION AND AMERICAN: Dear
ST.: have for several weeks past been anxiously
waiting to hear what the views of your leading jour
nal were on the bill pending before our Legislature
proposing to ensave to drive from the State, the
free eoored population now amongst u.s. 1t pro
vides that these persons shall be seized and sold if
found here after the first day of May, next if they
are adults-and that the children shall be bound out
&c; the adults are allowed to emigrate to Africa in
which case some slight aid is to be furnished by the
State assist in tn .ir transportation or secondly
they may seek master and go into slavery.
Now, who are these people: There is not one in
hundred of them TO say the least that ever has
been slave. Usually, their mothers grandmothers
or great grandmothers were slaves, who were eman-
cipated by masters for meritorous services from
benevolent motives, by the Courts of Justice and
to freedom by the judgments and DEGREES of Courts.
Under our Constitution of 1896, the free colored
men voted at the polls. That the old Constitution
extended to them, and protected their rights to a
certain extent, is free from doubt But pass by
this question.
My objection to the bill is that it proposes to
commit an outrage, to perpetrate oppression and
cruelty This is the plain truth and it sdle to mnce
words to soften the fact Let us look the PROPOSE
ton boldly in the face. This depressed and help
less portion of our population is designed to be
drivn out; or to be enslaved for life and their
property forfeited as no slave can hold property.
The mothers are TO be sold, or driven away from
their children, many of them infants. The children
are to be bound out until they twenty-one years
Of age, and then to leave the State or be sold /;
which means that they are to be made slaves for
life in fact Now, of these women and children,
there is hardly in ten that is of unnixed negro
blood. Some are halfwhite many have half-white
mothers and white fathers, making cast Of So
lO0ths of white blood; many have third crop. in
whom the negro blood is almost extinct. Such is
the unfortunate truth This description of people
who was born free, and lived as free persons, are
to be introduced slaves into families, or into
our negro quarters there to be under an overseer,
or they are to be sold the negrOtrader and sent
South there to be whipped by Overseers-dad to
preach rebellion in the negro quarters-as they will
preach rebellion everywhere that they may be driv-
en- to by this unjust law, whether it be amongst US
here in Tennessee or South of US the cotton and
sugar plantations or in the itionmeetngs in the
free States Nor will the women be the least effec-
tive in preaching 2 crusade, when begging money
in the North TO relieve their children left behind in
this State in bondage.
We are told that this ''Free Negro Bill is poll
tic, popular measure. Where is it popular? In
what nook or corner of the State are the principles
of humanity so deplorably deficient that majority
of the white inhabitants would commit an outrage,
not committed IN christian country of which his
tory gives any account. In what country is it this
side of Africa that the majority have enslayed the
minority-sold the weak to the strong. and applied
the proceeds of the sale TO educate the children Of
the stronger side this bill proposes is an open
assertion that might makes right" 1t is reopenng
thes African slave trade in fact In that trade. the
strong capture the weak and sell them and 1t Will
b here if thj5 policy is carried out.
All over the State those who are responsible for
passing the bill will have to contend with fearful
public opinion made up of all the who have
moral characters and religious feelings; backed by
the clergy and assuredly by a very large majority
of the members of all the churches for we must
carry along with us the important fact that numbers
of the people sought 70 be enslaved, or driven out
belong to- and are members of our various churches
and in full communion. That these great bodies Of
christian men and women will quietly stand by and
see their humble cOworkers sold the block to the
negro-trader is not to be expected; nor will any
set of men be supported morally politically, who
are the authors of such law.
Nor is this half the truth Take all the free States
and how will the matter stand2 There those
staunch and upright men who are struggling to up
hold the constitution and laws, and TO protect the
rights of the South in the enjoyment Of their slave
property, will be met by our law; will be tainted
before the million; will have it put to them square
ly whether they sanction this cruel measure part
of the Southern creed-toyit that all negroes, and
those of negro origin, can be rightfully sold into
slavery or driven from their children and the place
of their BIRTH at the unresraned will of the South
ern white man? What Northern man that has man
hood in him, will rot exclaim Il abhOr such law!'
1t cannot be otherwise than odious in the North.
If such a measure Of persecution was the work
of some new weak State and this thing done in
corner, it would not be so bad; but Tennessee is
proud, successful community, that has for thirty
years exercised controlling influence in the affairs
of the nation she has made two Presidents has long
stood in the front rank Of the great party that has
governed the country successfully for nearly six
ty years and therefore HER legislation may well be
cited before Northern crowds declaring the sem
tments of the South. / put it to any fair-minded
man to say whether this law, if it is passed, will
not go far crush od friends in the North, and
vet more strongly mark the black, sectional line be
tween the free and the slave States?
Most respectfully, your obd't serv't,
j. CATRON