Journal of freedom. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1865-186?, 1865-10-07
ecene IN : Preedman,s Court.

va end the following narration in tha NASH
vile correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette.
showing that it Is very difficult for the white
men of Tennessee to learn that colored men have
rights which they are bound to respect and that
they are receiving Lessons from courts OF justice
established by Gen. Fisk. Assistant Commission
err of the Freedmen's Bureau, ofa,yery emphat-
10 description. The one quoted occurred the
other day, auS is both assuming and instruct
i've
"An old and highly respected citizen OF Giles
county, named Abernethy-a good Methodlst'
by the way-refused to pay his c'lored laoorers
the wages he had agreed to pay them. and as .
last resort. two of the most Intelligent OF b s en-.
plovees came into the Freedmen's Court, made
oath to the contract and to the fact of non-pay-
ment, and an order was accordingly Issued TO
bring the venerable patriarch into court to an
swer. When the order reached The old gentle
man he was astonished beyond measure, aud.
doubtless would not have deigne | to respond to
| it had not . guard been present to enforce IL
His ne.ghbors, of course, were greatly excited.
The venerable old Abernethy arrested and or
der.d to report forthwith at Nashville! Dis
patches were sent to the city, and when he
arrived he was met at the depot and esc'Ited t"
Ger. Fisk's headquarters by a respectable bod
Of old citizens, whose zoe begone countenanr.
indicated the deep disgust and horror which
swelled their chiyalrous bosoms. Arrived a.
heat quarters:
Abernethy-Is this Gen. Fisk?
Gen.~F.-Yes sir
Al should like to know what I ON brougl
here for?
~Gen.-Very well, give me your name, and
can probably inform you.
Any name is Abernethv. sir.
Gen.-Aberrethy. Yes, [ rememb,r. Nv
citixens of Giles county, neighbors of yours, Mr.
A., have appeared and made oath to a very grave
complaint against yOu
A.-Citizens of Giles county Neighbors Of
mine !! Good heavens who can it be.
81 W II read the declaration, :" said the GeneT-
al, as he took the document from a pigeon hole.
aud began ] ,Seph and Paul Abernethy, Of the
county OF Giles, ia the State of Tennessee, being
duly swdfu," do testify, ETC., etc. AS the read
ing proceeded the old gentieman's eyes fairly
bulged out, and he looked the very picfure of
engagement. At length, unable to restrain him
self a " longer, he exclaimed, 'Lpr' bless my
soul, General, them arn't my neighbors, them's
my piggers." You are mistaken, Mr.. A, re-
replied the General, :'there are no such persons
in Tennessee now, as your niggcGS.' Joseph
and Paul Abernethy are. citizens of Tennessee,
and one OF them claims even u nearer relation to
you aud che striking resemblance -he bears to
you gives countenance to the 'clain."
This home thrust cut tho old man to the heart,
and he covered his face with his hands, bowling
biz head for some time. At length he said :
well, General, what are you going to DO abnNt
j 7" Il am going to do justice" he replied. -
DO you owe these men the amount they Claim ?
IF yen do, you rSust pay it,"
The old gentleman came down at once, ac-
kuowledged The debt, and promised to call and
settle it the next day. The. next day he came,
paid the debt in full, and entered into a written
contract with bis employees for the future"