The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-28
Scene in a Freedmen,s Cam,

We find the following narration in the
Nashville correspondence of the Cinc;n.
natl Gazette, showing that i. is very diff
cult for the white men of Tennessee 10
learn that colored men have rights which
they are bound to respect and that they
are receiving lessons from courts of justice
established by General Fisk, Assistant
Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau,
Of very emphatic description. The n
quoted occurred but the other day, and is
both amusing and instructive:
An old and highly respected citizen of
Giles county, named Abernethy-s good
Methodist, by the wsy-refused 10 nav his
colored lAborers the wages he had agreed
to pay them, and, as 8 last resort, two of
the most intelligent Of his employees came
into the Freedmen's Court, made oath to
the contract and to the fact of non-psy-
ment, and an order was accordingly issued
to bring the venerable patriarch into court
TO nswer When the order reached the
old gentleman he was sstonished beyond
measure, and, doubtless, would not have
designed to respond to it had not q guard
been present to enforce it. His neig6bora,
of course, were greatly excited. The ven.
cradle old Abernethy was arrested and or
dered to report forthwith at Nashville
Dispatches were sent to the city, and when
he arrived he was met at the depot and es-
eorted to General Fisk's headquarters by q
respectable body Of Oh citizens, whose
woe-begone countensnces indicated the
deep disgust and horror which swelled
their chivalrous bosoms. Arrived st head.
quarters
Abernethy-Is this Gen. Fisk?
Gen. Eyes, sir.
Al should like to know what I an
brought here for2
Gsn.-Very well, give me your name
and 1 can probably inform you.
A-My name is Abernethy, sir.
Gen -Abernethy. Yes, { remember
Two citizens Of Giles county, ~neighbOrs Of
yours, Mr.. A, have appeared and made
oath TO a very grave charge against you.
A--CttiEens of Giles county Neigh6or'
of minell Good heavens who can it be.
81 will read the declaration" ssid the
General, as he took the document from {
pigeon hole, and began; "Joseph snG
Paul Abernethy, of the county of Giles
in the State of Tennessee, being duly
sworn, do testify" &c. As the readiDg pro
eeeded, the old gentlemsn's eyes fairly
bulged out, and he looked the very picture
of smRzement.
At length, unsble to restrain himsel.
any longer, he exclaimed, "Lor bless my
soul, General, them arn't my neighbOrs
them's my niggersl' "You are mistaken
Mr.. A." replied the General; "there are
no such persons in Tennessee now as YOU
niggers.' Joseph and Paul Abernethy ar,
citizens of Tennessee, and one of them
claims even q nearer relation to you snC
the striking resemblance he bears TO yoU
gives countensnce to the claim"
This home thrust cut the old man to the
heart and he covered his face with bi
hands, bowling his head for some time. A
length he said: We'll, General, what ar
you going to do about it2" al am goins
to do justice" he replied. lido you owe
these men the amount they claim If yoI
do, you must pay it"
The old gentleman came down at once
ACKNOWLEDGED the debt, and promised t,
call and settle it the next day. The mex
day he came, and paid the debt in full
and entered into q written contract will
his employees for the future.