New-York daily tribune., 1865-11-25
SOUTHERN SLAVE CODES.

When Gov. Perry mustered assurance enough
to write TO the President that South Carolina
was mediating wise, just, and humane system
OF laws for the government of the Freedmen, he
probably considered that the code then prepar-
ing would escape examination at Washing
ton. On no other theory is his statement
TO be explained. OF course, he should have
known better. He should have reflected, also,
that, sooner or later, the inquiry was sure TO
be made: Why should there be any sep
arate code for the Freedmen and. How can q
system Of legislation that establishes m ars-
tocracy Of the skin be consistent with ere
publican form Of government" :" II cannot be
presumed that Congress will recognize the au-
thority of the body now exercising legislative
functions at Columbia; but the spirit in which
which anma,es the class of men now aiming at
power throughout the South.
We showed the other day that this South
Carolina code, which Gov. Perry pronounces
wise, just, and humane, legalizes three distinct
methods Of reducing to Slavery the nominally
emancipoted Blacks Of the State. All coored
minors may be enslaved till they are twenty
one-husbands on the preteyt that they don'
support their wyes-and "yagrants "a wore
so defined as to include every colored man il
the State-may be sold into bondage. In eacl
case, the lash is legal means of enforcing obc
dience
1t will probably be sad that such legislation
assuming us it does to nullify the CONSTITUTIONS
Amendment which the pretended Legislator,
Of this rcbellious State assented 10, woul,
be declared void by the Supreme Court Of th,
United States. We have no doubt it would
We have just as little doubt that Congrossiona
legislation will provide penalties for attempts I,
enforce such laws. But suppose they do-wha
is likely TO be the practical eiIectl Are we sur,
we have heard the last of South Carolina nulli
fcation When Chief-Justice Chase deliver
the opinion Of the Court, whose hand will rgh
the wrong that is judicially declared I,
DO suchl We hayo had decisions be
fore now. A less insolent State thar
South Carolina has dofed successfully the high
est legal tribunal Of the country-nay, a Presi
dent Of the United States bus conniyed at be-
insubordnation. When State law of Georgii
nulifed treaty Of the United States with The
Cherokees, the Supreme Court pronounced tht
State law unconstitutional. "Well," sale
President Jackson, "John Marshall has made
his decision; now let US see him enforce it," Il
never was enforced. The law of South Caroline
mprisonng coored citizens Of other States wa.
clearly invalid, yet South Carolina executed hei
own statute, and, when Massachusetts tried tC
protect her Black citizens who were being SOLD
into Slavery, her agent was mobbed out o.
Charleston, and the jurisdiction of the Suprem,
Court rejected with contempt.
Where, then, is the security of tho Black.
against such legislation az that which Gov,
Perrys Columbia Legislature is ut this moment
enacting2 Clearly, no security is to bo found
in the mere fact that the State laws are uncon
stitutional and would be declared such by tn,
Supreme Court. They who believe that til,
Constitutional Amendment by It's own force, o
by help of Congressional. .enactments, secures tc
the Black man even somuch freedom as consists
in not being sold on tho auction-block, pin
their faith TO an unsubstantial theory.
II il tho spirit which imDels TO the reSnSlave