Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-01-15

eessy does not exist IN reference to the free eoIora
population Of Tennessee. What have they done
mat demands TINS summary expulsion and de riva-
Ion OF their proper.yg Their conduct is the same
Iha1 1t has been for over fifty years They are the
same people now that they were fifty wears aro
ana are not augmenting with much rapidty There
are no new developments as to any DarticiDation
( Dy 'nen IN any movement against cur government.
or as 70 any interference with our slaves
But IL Is argued that sach is the agitation now all
over the south, that it behoOves US to remove them
| from our midst lest danger will come. / trust The
I laIe harpers Ferry fOray viii not run US wild
Where Is the State Of Virginia to-day? She stands
proudly protecting the rights Of her free NEGROES
/ as well as the rights Of the free citizeos nj ber
state. hold in my hand the late message of GOV.
wise to the Legislature Of that State in which ne
/ says, there is no danger to be apprehended from
| tae slaves, or free colored population Why then
should we be alarmedg If our police reelIfations
are not sufficient, make them more STRINGENT and
nave them more rgidly enforced. I do not UNDER
stand that the Legislatures Of Louisiana and Missis
slpp nave gone to the extent claimed for them The
atler has provided for the expulsion Of such free
I negroes as are guilty Of crime-making exile the
PenaiIy = be inflicted for the offence.
= y wise and polite the part Of the Southern
lDes " ilt these extreme meas ures at this time2
livery leellng Of my heart and sentiment Of nv
soul beats in unison with Southern RIGHTS and s,rt6
eTn interests. L is our impsratv ,1rv n, 1rbI5 en-
lnsIIuilons at every hazard-to allow no infringe-
ment upon our rights of property am among the
number who believe slavery is right morally, So
oiAliy' anu pouucaliy And if the North has anv
sympathy for the slaves Of the South--has any re-
gard for their welfare she would cease In a5ifofa
the question, and 20 interfere with our domestic in
sututons. They are but forging their chains tigbt
er-they are but making their condition worse As
matter Of selfdefenee, she is driving the Soutb 10
ADOPT more stringent and rigid measures This ls-
gisaton in regard 70 free negroes is brouoFt about
BY the North II she would let rs alone an tnis
would be avoided
But, esk, IS It polite move on the part Of the
SOutht Will not such legislation meet with orr,
stion by respectable minority if not by a u,ai6ri
y Of the people Of the State I think / have some
idea of the popular feeling in Tennessee and ybilo
her people will sustain to the last her institutions
while they are devoted to their rights, do not be-
heve thar they viii be driven into the approval Of
acts Of injustice and craelty By any popular
clamor or public feeling In my humble Judgment
the true policy Of the South is TO plant herself mn
On the Constitution and upon the principles OF right
and justice, and there make the fight III She IS /
wroDged, return not evil for evil. She should not
do evl that good may come For one there is I
where / stand and SO help me Heaveu. come what
may there Is where intend 20 stand. I would rath
er have the approval Of my Cwn conscience had
rather feel when hear the walls OF wives moth
ers, and children no torn asunder by the oper-
atlons OF this 1ill that my skirts are clean than 70
nave the applause Of these, who under n excited
feeling approve the measure.
This bill makes distinction between the virtu-
color who conduct themselves properly and these 4
who do not. Is this rights Has such a principle /
ever characterized the legislation Of any civilized
government This bill includes all while there are 4
many OF that class who are honest Industrious and
innocent. Shonld they be forced 70 leave tie State
Jr go INTO servitude without being guilty OF any
offence or having done anything 10 merit such
harsh treatment The free col0red uonvlati Is I
)n the decline The mortality amengst them is
much greater than among the white population. If
no slaves hereafter emancipated are permit
ed to remain in the State, and others are ey-
GUIDED from coming here, the free negroes Will in
ew years cease to exist in our State. Now I sub
nit would it not be better-egislation more in ac-
,ordance with justice and right TO afx Punishment
IS penalty for fel0nies that may be committed bv
rec persons of e0l0r-prohibit emancipated slaves
rom remaining in the State, and adopt stringent
measures TO prevent the immigration OF other free
egrOes in the Statey Such law it seems to me
would meet the evil complained Of AID would not
e obnoxious to the objections urged against this
ILL.,
Mr.. Speaker have done, and viii continue 10 do.
u in my power to defeat this bill believe 1t will
ass 1t won't do 50 with my vote. believe when /
come 20 the close Of Efe-when my spirit takes
IS hight-l can rep0se with an approving consci-
nee upon my action on this BILL involving as IL
0es the right to liberty property, and the cher
shed principles Of humanity aud mercy.
The drying up single tear
Has more OF honest fame,
Than shedding seas of gore"
Mr. Speaker, as far as this measure is concerned.
believe shall remember with pride and pleasure d
laJ what little Of talent and influence / possessed p
as eXerted 10 prevent the passage Of this bill-a
lcasure that viii sever the dearest an most sacred
les, by causing the separation of husband and wife.
aren't and child. feel thar have discharged my a
uty to my cons nstituents, to myself, and tOlmy God,