, 1865-08-29
A Georgia Judges H1nn OF Salvation
from Negro Suffrage.
ATLANTA, August 1G, 1865.

LETTER FROM JUDGH LOCHHlSE.
ATLANTA, August 1G, 1865.
Editor Atlanta Intelliseneer:
DEAR SIR: regret my condition prevents
my complying with your request this evening,
in addressing my friends Of this city, and take
this occasion Of stating my qualification at the
evidences Of industry aud spirit see around
nc. Some few weeks ngo | went through At
tnAahit as with ghosts the streets; the sound
ofthe living was like the echo Of despair
piles Of brick were tumbled together on the
highway, and scarce Il hope seemed to live
IN the deserted thoroughlares. This day l
met tho spirit Of energy, moving into action ;
hammer, md saw the smiling face Of Hope
and Enterprise, where ruins blackened TO tie
eye. saw stores and mansions lifting their
heads to the sunshine, md felt your city would
soon put OFT her garments of mourning and
laugh like bride In the embrace Of prospcri.
y. What Atlanta is doing must BE- done by
the whole State; and Georgia must rise from
failure and disaster to life and industry. The
abolition Of slavery Is no cause for desponden-
cy; for ull the prophecies that this disaster
would PROSTATE the interests Of the peo-
pie; that your streets would grow
2gaaoea g M.s a 7ea homes h9ei aeseate 'eees aaa
the land covered with rags and poverty, have
lifted away with the evidences Of tie pres
ent. Slavery Is abolished, and not q single
house can be obtained for rent; property has
Ia many places been enhanced III value, aud
the TOW Of capital already started viii rush
on for Inv :stmcnt, to an extent that will
raise the brightest hopes for the future. The
DEGREES Of Providence, exhibited in our fail
urc, will, trust, bring to light brighter
dreams Of glory. Tho great question for
statcsmanship is the solution Of the free labor
system. We must grasp the full import Of
The idea that the coming convention
may adjourn. after recognizing slavery Mt
an end, und the State 60 into tho Union
on the presentation Of such constitution Is
fallacy. We must go fnrt ther aud give the
guarantee of constitutional protection 10 the
rights which freedmen have acquired BY the
results of the war. The dominant party,
which has fought for years In the press, the
forum, md the Geld TO abolish slavery after
four years war, costing millions to the coun.
try, and the sacrifice Of lives, now that victory
is upon their banners, and q majority in Con-
gress Of largely over 100 votes, are not going
until the i'ull results Of the struggle afe &c.
knowledgcd aud asserted, beyond the caprice
Of men, or the voice Of Legislatures. It
will be fmbecility to expect Georgia to as
sumo her position by the votes Of men
Who have foNeht this question, without we
must not only acknowledge the freedom of
the slnyc, bnt we must go further: we must
recognize his right to mcguire property
the right to testify in courts 1or its protection
and his own, and place crime and police regu-
lations upon common principle Of le@isia-
tion. We cannot have distinctions Of class In
crimes-all vioators of law must stand equal
before the Inv, and our legislature control
Tie policy, Of interest by general laws
adopted TO preserve the peace and
order Of society against NIL rogues md
yugahopds Of every class and color. This
principle Of public policy will save US from
negro suffrage; and This last dogma We must
resist, for the negro, though frce, must be an
inferior In the privileges Of citizenship. The
Government OF the United States Is white
mans Government; !; and while, under the be-
property will be protected, We cannot consent
to lower the standard Of our civilization. we
must teach the freedman lis duty, as well
as proclaim his rights, his responsibilities
must be made known to him, anl the follles
which hagc entered his brain with lis new
born freedom must be driven ont. We
must be just 10 the whites as well as to the
blacks, and fanntictsm On this subject will
only lead to trouble, latteting the negro into
position Of folly, and wili impede the pro-
grcss and industry Of the country. On this
subject am proud our people are SO unanl-
nous, accepting the full length and breadth
Of the failure, and It's legal and proper results.
We have spirit Of pride still left, that leads
Us to the support Of President Johnson, and
the great Union party ofthe North nnd West,
which so fully maintains the equalities Of the
Stats s snd czens s,,9 I'D granting pso.ssiipn
to the true interests Of the country.
Hoping the country will rally to the prfnci-
pies Of public policy laid down,
Q, 4 LocuRAsE.