The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-09-22
aQashrille &Anioa.
WM. ClMEROy & co., Publishers.
FRIDAY. sEPTEMBER 2. Is55.
y ROM the Jliellna4 Counlefclai.
Justice to the Negro In the south.

Justice 10 the Negro In the South.
The indications in the policy Of the Presi-
| dent, that he was not uncharitable toward
or wholly wanting in confidence in, the
people Of the South, have not been without
| wholesome results. The people Of the South
| suffered, in the deepest Specification Of that
term, during the war. They were terribly
punished. They made a wonderful war. in
! proportion 10 their strength, and, when il
| was over, were exhausted and crushed, TO
an extent only that can be understood BY
the closest and most intelligent observers
| 1t is not true that they are hypocritical in
/ expressing a desire to live in peace under
the shelter Of the old national roof. True,
1 they tried TO tear it down, but many Of them
/ learned 10 respect It as never before, when
/ they realized the sublime strength Of the
/ pillars by which 1T was upheld and il is
/ grateful TO them now. Tens of thousands Of
I them are returned Prodigals, and nor unre-
/ pentGut. They don't think exactly as the
/ people of Massachusetts, do, and it is unrea-
/ sonable 10 expect them to do so. They have
/ felt the power of the North. They know
/ that the physical force arrayed FOR the main
! tenauce of the Union is irresistible; and
| they are not solicitoUs to try again to break
/ It. Like other people, they are not iuseusi-
/ BE to the power of kindness, and the CLEAN
/ of charity and GOODWILL that they have seen
/ from Washington has done them good, and
/ viii do the country good. They know the
| Importance of jUstitying the confidence that
/ the President is reposing in them, and We
/ believe they will 10 it. They know how
/ deeply they are interested in the success Of
the Presidents experiment, and they will
| do ali they can that it may be a success.
But will they do justice TO those who have
lately been slaves ? VIII they not abuse
and practically re-enslave the freedmen
! That there will be individual cases of the
intensest wrong, Of shameful maltreatment
Of negroes there is no question. But we
mark with the sincerest satisfaction the ex-
pressions ola better feeling toward the ne
gro in the Southwest. Our private informa-
ton from that quarter is more encouraging
than our published letters. A correspond
ent upon whose intelligence and good judg-
ment we rely, says he must insist upon it
that the people of Mississippi are coming to
their senses, even on the negro question.
Here is the Mississippi Clarion, of septem-
Der Sd, published at Meridian in that State,
talking Of negro testimony in the Courts:
Gone Of the first acts Of the Legislature,
at its next session, should be to repeal the
l92d article Of the 6lstchapter of the Revised
Code, and Open.the courts to all classes as
witnesses. The existing law was probably
always wrong; / mean unnecessary. and
certainly contrary to the spirit of that ju-
risprudence from which our institutions are
derived. Let the people understand the
difference between the competency and
credibllity Of o witness, and their prejudice
on the subject viii vanish. Ii is right for
every one who can observe aud relate fact
to be heard it is for the court and the jury
to weigh the testimony the witnesses. It's,
1t always was, due 90 the tribunals of law to
allow them TO hear everything that can throw
M Ia. ].
that negroes are not generally trustworthy
witnesses, can most properly be made to the
individual when found unworthy of credit
Then, it is now no longer Just, or right, to
withhold from them equality before the
Judicial tribunals. In the State of Missis-
sippi they are no longer slaves nor yet freed |
men-but ireemen-eutitled to protection
IN person and property entitled to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness This |
boon, by the people of Mississippi, lately |
granted them in solemn Convention, is a |
nullity if they are not permitted to sue and !
be sued, plead and be implicated, and TO |
testify in the courts of the country Il Will |
be granted them. And would it be reason |
able 70 expect that the dominant power Of |
this country, who have seen fit 20 liberate |
this people, should, in the infancy Of their |
liberty, desert them, and turn them over |
again TO the tender mercies of those who |
seem 80 slow 10 comprehend the change of !
relations existing between them2 Even our |
best friends al the North-and they are not |
few-would regard this as the meanest |
treachery to the freedmen"
Here is the Mobile Advertiser, of septem-
Der 9, on the Southern labor question:
Give would keep possession ofour hearths !
and houses and farms, we must anticipate
Yankee enterprise and tortify our property
with the labor that VIII pay to keep il. The
negro population is our first and obvious
resource, and we must apply TO it like sensi-
bic men, with q full appreciation Of its pres
ent position, and q proper adaptation of
means TO the end. The first step is to dis
cOuntenance everything that increases the
present tendency % autagonism between !
the whites and blacks. Nothing but evil
can come Of this, aud from the white man,
who has the Intelligence 20 do right and set
a proper example should come the effort 90 |
convince these ignorant people that we are
not their enemies; that we wish them well,
and seek their true happiness when we
counsel them to habits of industry, and OF | ,
Ter the means of forming and following these !
habits. 1t is not only unwise, but it is IN
generous and uumanly to do aught to widen
he breach Of caste, or To- treat these emau-
'ipated children with harshness. If we | ,
nave our trials, SO have they greater trials
han we can measure. The boon of free
ION, accompanied yits responsibilities, is |
J terribleitrial tothem. Good and wise men | ,
will aid and encourage them under the
'rdeal, and not.visit upon the race the bad
conduct and insolencs Of individuals that I
,elong to it. There is law to restrain the last,
,ut there is none TO enforce the moral duties I
# kindness and hels which the superior
ace owes TO these helpless and pitipable
,eople." {
These articles are from genuine Southern | !
men, not recent emigrants from TIE North,
md at least they show a healthy growth Of
rood sense in that quarter, growth that
We shonld not be reluctant to encourage, for | ]
he long continued military rule Of all the /
southern States would be vastly expensive,
nd not unattcdded by great and common
hangers.