New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-05-13
IMPORTANT DECISION.

The Free Csastitutien Of TeDnesses 61s-
taa.eA--SlavcFy Abolished in she State.
The Nashville Unios contains the following
important opinion given by Chancellor shsckeford al
the April term Of the Chancery Court at Clsrhesye
Tenn 1t is the first decision made the question Of
Slavery by any Of the State Courts under the amended
Constitution:
The opinion Of the Court in the case of Amanda
Nambet Edmund and Cornelius Williamson, who soc
BY their father next friend against M. r. Jones'
In this cause, the parties are before the Court ,,
the petitioners are reputed children Of Cyrus Win
ston, Q negro aud freed man. that they are under the
age Of years. and have filed this petition BY Cyrus
Winston 10 be discharged from bondage in which they
1t appears from the proof that Thos Williamson. a
citizen Of Robertson County Isnnesses died 'o@s
has continued to reside the farm TO the present time
Upon his death the trustees Of the estate took posses
zion Of the property consisting Of real estate and the
slaves (some 30 40 in Dumbcr among which were the
petitioners. 1t appears that the mother Of the petition
ers was the property cf the said Thos Williamson 1t
further appear: from ne Proof hSi Jones =. the
held the petitioners - the property Of the estate II
Also appears from his 70 the writ that he held
them slaves and was mot aware Of any law BY which
they freed and that ho refused 70 deliver them 10
Abe reputcd father when demand was made for them
claiming them - property Of the estate and that thsy
were in bis possession on ne ga Of February 1862 In
The facts presented in this record raise the questions
- TO the validity Of the amendments Of the Constitution
adopted by the people Of the State O Tennessee the
29d Of February, 1885 which were. list That Slavery
should be forever abolished ia the State Of Tennessee
ID, That the Legislature Of the State OF Tennessee
should pass no laws recognising property In man"
When the State Of Tennessee was admitted into the
Federal Union. Slavery was recognized by the Consti
tRton Of the STATE and from that time to the I'D Feb
ruary 1866 the right hold property in slaves IN the
State questioned. Laws regulating and con-
trolling the institution passed at different times BY
Of levy and SALE ~ execution for tbe payment OF debts
and upon the death OF the owner they descended and
vested in bis heirs. The had the right TO nct
punishment that did not extend 10 life or limbuncoD.
dona submission the part Of the slave 70 the will
OF the master the doctrine enunciatec by the Su
Slavery until the Rebellion was insuguIatcd Upon the
occupation OF Tennessee by the Federal forces. many
OF the slaves fed To their lines for freedom, and the Off
forbid by law from returning them 10 their
owners-hence the Institution became greatly democrat
lied The discipline necessary for their control and
government could not he enforced and they ceased to
be of much value.
By the Rebellion. the State laws suspended. the
courts OF the country closed, the Governor ned
taxing the archives VI the state with him. The officers
OF the state Government refused act and the laws
could not be enforced. private rights totally dis
regarded, while robberies, murder and high crimes
were daily occurrences throughout the State until
stood appalled, ut The c0Dsequ growing out of the
Ranc,lion The Guf States. Influenced and controlled
by The action OF her Politicians had passed ordinances
0f Secession in violation Of the Constitution Of the
United States. and endeayored 10 throw oil their ale
glxnce 10 tie Government For their protection and
security necessary that tennessee and the other
border slates should carried into the Rebellion with
them and IL evil hour, the people, wooed and mad
dened 70 frenzy. voted favor Of aseParaton from the