Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-19
NO. 13.

| mankind, declared herself separated froT
that Power. And although they will stil
hold that act wrong in principle, and void i
] fact, they viii find in it no faint of duplici
| ty. They viii look in vain through all tn
sanguinary traey ) of war, for the trail of tn
serpent, In due time, consistency will com
mand confidence land sincerity, like the dia
mond of the first water, will assuredly Wi
its own recognition. Then our toosuspiciou
Judges will marvel less at our approve,
fealty, than at their own hardness in discov
| ering it.
BE the process of restoration long O.
short, when sonsummated, our attitude vii
and must be that of strict fidelity to tn,
Union, of equality with our associates. an,
of dignity sustained by an inner sense o
unviolated integrity.
Turning our attention to the subjects o
State administration, appertaining more di
rectly to the service upon which We are en-
tering, the mind involuntarily pauses upon
the changed relation between the Caucasian
and African races inhabiting Georgia. How
to secure the latter in the positive endowment
of the freedom with which they have been
suddenly invested, with the least possible
detriment to both, is a problem full Of per-
plexity, taxing all the energies of astute,
upright intellect. 1t is believed that the
war, by whom the change has beevwrought.
and who took the initiative Of the process,
have realized in full force its extensive diff
culties. Its solution has been already par
tally, and ere long will possibly be fully.
devolved upon the States mere imme-
diately interested, and better qualified
for the work, by reason of their great
er familiarity with the characteristic traits
of the negro, and with the Cmploymeats
in which he has been trained, and to which
his steady adherence should be encouraged
The transition from slavery to freedom of a
large class is not novel one in American
history, In several of the States it has been
effected without serious Intervention. bv n
process so gradual that no shock has been
felt in the labor system--no phrenzied i'm
pulse impaired to the liberated class. Upon
us it has come like the sudden upheavinp.
the terrific trembling and the distracted en-
gulphing of the earthquake, in volcanic To-
calities. But however effected, and by what
ever embarrassments encountered, the fact
is accomplished fixed. The
realization that it is so is the fret step To-
wards the proper adjustment of new sys-
tenn, and that, ] am persuaded. is, in its vast
its tremendous CONSEQUENCES.
clearly impressed upon the Southern mind.
Any reference, in detail, to the action de
manded by the crisis would be inappropriate
to this occasion, and is rendered unnecessary
by the prudent forecast of the convention
recently held, entrusting to five gentlemen
equally distinguished for ability, experience
and benevolence the work of preparing and
digesting for your consideration system or
code of laws adapted to the exigencies of the
new situation. In it you may find valuable
aid. commend it to your serious consid-
Grafton.
AT this time propose only reference to
prominent points demanding attention, and
general principles which should govern our
action. And first, | present to you well
merited plea in behalf of the emancipated
African. Hitherto the faithful bondsman of
the race from whose personal dominion he
has just been disenthralled, but upon whose
and justice he still depends for
protection and advancement, he stands before
you an object Of peculiar interest. Happy
in the past bondage, which lightly taxed his
physical energies, abundantly supplied his
wants, as well in infancy and in old age, rs
in vigorous manhood-as well in sickness as
in health-and which leaves him at It's close
elevated above the cOtempora-
ry native of Africa, descended from the same
ancestry, he looks anxiOusly TO his future,
md feels that it is still measurably in tho
hands of the proprietary race. IL is mdeni-
IDLY true, thai during all the wears of his
he has been marvellOusly quiet,
content with his condition. And
what shall be said Of his department during
he last half decade of saG memories +?
Whilst your strong men were in the tented
ield, far away from unprotected wives and
children, he cultivated their lands, tended
heir households, and rendered all servile
,bservances as when surrounded by the usual
agencies. And since the fiat of
which he neither forced nor
mplored, although sometimes unsettled in
MS purposes, and inconsistent in his service
Dy contract 1.-THE natural result Of a transit
ion so sudden and 80 Thoroughly, | take
1ou all to witness that, in the main, his con-
iuct has been praiseworthy, beyond all ra-
ional expectation. Tell me not of instances
If INSTRUMENTATION as a slave, and of iAde-
,orIIm as a freedman, that have transpircd
n certain localities, or characterized particu-
ar individuals. These are exceptional cases,
he general rule being quite otherwise Do
,ur own race render unvarying obedience 10
he mandates of law? Are our own off
pring, through the years of minority, al
ways subordinate to parental authority +?
Shall, then, the less cultivated African
,e held to stricter accountability, or
,e judged by a higher standard Of moral
ectitude? Tell me not the race is migrate
al. The assertion is against the truth of |
Il 4 4
hat, in my Judgment, their fidelity In the 1
'ast and their decorum under the distress
ng influences of the present, are without
parallel in history, and establish for them |
strong claim upon our favoring patronage |
rs the governing class, individually and |
we owe them unbounded kind |
less, thorough protection, incentives, by |
moral suasion, by appeals to their interest,
nd by Just legal restraint, to do right, that |
hey may do well. Their rights of person /
nd property should be made perfectly Sc
ure-so secure that they may realize their /
reedOm and its benefits and Of il they |
hould be encouraged and stimulated 10 |
make benefit To this end the Courts must
c opened to them, aud they must be allow
d., in the assertion and defence therein Of |
heir rights in civil and criminal cases, the |
estimony Of their own race. As essential
D their well being, they should be guarded,
n the one hand, against the crafty machi-
atoms of the designing, and, on the ether.
gainst the fatal delusion Of social and poll
zeal equality.
If there be any -philanthropists
tho are inclined 10 inftIse into their minds
his mfriendly delusion, or 10 preach 10 us
ne duty of entering upon this leyeling pro-
ess, let them open their mission by point
lg to examples. Assuredly, there is not
ne TO be found beneath the broad expanse
our Constitution. The necessity Of a1bor-
inatiOn and independence should be rivited
n their convictions. Such degree Of legal
estraint as may be requisite to this end, is
nforced upon US, by sudden change Of re-
ltiOn, originated neither bythem nor by US:
nd, happily for all parties, IL need not con-
let with the unvarying Observance Of The
wv Of kindness, which felicitates intercourse
etweeu equals, and causes the inferior 10
ecognize in his superior benefactor No
~ able than formerly 10 I'll their accsis-
,med departments Of labor, they should
e made TO realize that this il not only
Dmpatible with but an indispensable
ondition Of their altered siatug.
If won othe practice Of honesty, 'sobriety,
nd industry, they will be for us the best Ia
oring class, and we to them the bet en-
lOyers, the world can furnish. because Of the
borough acquaintance between the classes.
speak with reference to the present and the
ear future Were il not divIIlged that, in
ne changes to be evolved by time, they are
estined TO attain snch advancement that, in
heir daily intercourse, they shall look in the