The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-04-15
rnE MORO QUESTION


Mr. Peart submitted ihe following
petition from the cOlored men Of East
Tennessee, remarking that while he
did not endorse al It's contents, the
main norton of IL wSs advantageous TO
both the black and white men of our
state There may be disposition by
some of the young members to avoid
the responsibility of acting on il, but
| think it should be fairly and prompt
ly dealt with, without any equivocs-
ton. --..-. 80
Tothe senste and House Of Representa-
tiyes. assembled; We, your humble peu-
tioners, ask you &C. hear our grievances, and
we believe you viii You have done such
noble acts so recently, that We are induced
10 believe your hesrts are stirred e deeds
Of right, Justice sud humanity, in abolish
ing slavery Ia this State; this you have
done without cur asking you. Now we ssk
you 20 extend the proteetion Of Law to US,
that We may be OF some nae 30 ourselves 81
we'll as society; Tor all arc ready 70 sdmlt
that without oUr political rishts, our cundis
ton is very little better than Il was before.
We have been looked upon with con-
tempt, and despised without any cause, and
II We are to be left without the protection
81 law. cur condition will be awful, for
wicked men will feel that they will have q
rieht 10 abuse US on al occasions, and we
not the slightest right IN law 10 defend our
selves. All must know that q will be
great encouragement 20 commit crimes Of
Injustice on us ~ defencoless people, aud
il will have q dsmorAlizing effect on your
own people, Now We ak you % grant US
this right, aud We viii be no trouble 20 you.
We will take care Of our own paupers, and
We will, o. we are doing, help you fight
your battles in the field, aud let us help
you whip the Rebels 81 the baliot-box; and,
that will be no disgrace 20 the State. We are
not asking social equality, q IL political
rights, a.d ID IL no more than what you
granted % the free c0lored men Of the
State years ago, facts you all well know;
MANY Of our fathers voted for men that
sull live in this stafe; and they did not
think il any disgrace then, snd Il had no
bad influence then, and how could il now in
these days OF Revolution.
As 20 our loyalty, il is settled beyond all
contradiction. Wherever you mses q col
ored man you End in him a wsrm and de-
voted friend Of the United States Govern
ment.
We ash Ia all humility, what hiss lthe coll
ored man done that be shouid bedenied these
righls9 He has been 81 obedient servant
for two hundred years, and has obeyed the
white man in ell things.
All are ready % say il would be justice,
and would have gCoi results on society
generally for Just ct this time it would
have q good influence on these much
a FUSED people ia fltingt them fog society,
Tor ii We have no Law 70 protect US We Will
not be encouraged 20 make anything or
have property but il We can have an as.
surEnce that We VIII be protested 1t viii
make us industrious and persevering in OBJ
tanning means rs other men, which viii
bsve eood elect on he country, now and
throuahout all time, rNs
W. rnow we have been nistrested, ana
tbs vrorsa knows 10, butwe have no charges
srsinst YOU. for the whole matter gives US
our poiriaesl rights, and We sre your eN err r.
lasting friends, AID 700 can rely on US ~
every case where our aid 10 needed tneh
Pohecslly Whstsves is your intetest VAL pe
eafA' then viii We have peace thfcug hout
NJ snere State foE We intend q. GhiP me
vs. 40 not wish Tor Tenneasas III be be-
hlnd you see what othar state ara doing
and We don't want il sad Of Teppessee. one
OF the most loyal States IA the UpioB--to
refuse 10 grant what other states give theiy
eoloTsd people without asking for il. We