The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1865-12-29
NEGRO TBsTIMoNY.
Extract Of Letter from Non. \. g.

ed. The question involved, and which
is now agitating the country, is
argued by Col 7 in his most forcible
style. He takes rational vicw Of
the subject and leaves the people Of
Tennessee to decide in that way which
they may deem the most equitable
and proper for their future interest
and welfare We consider his viows
wcll.timed and correct
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1865,
CAPT GEO. i. GRIsHAM; DEAR SIR
We from tho States that were in
rebellion have not yet been permitted
TO take seats as members of Congress,
Our cases have all been turned over
to n select joint committee ofthe two
Houses, whose business it will be to
investigate all tho questions involved,
and present some status upon which
tho States late in rebellion can be rep
resented IN Congress.
What terms this committee will
propose, or what conditions it will pre-.
scribe are matters ofconjecture. 1t is
pretty certain however, that no man
will be received as member OF Con-
gress who cannot take the oath re-
quircd of all the officers of the Gov
ernment. Its thought too, by many,
that the lately rcbcllous States will
be required to give some guarantees
in tho shape of Legislative enactments
securing tho rights Of Freedmen be.
fore the courts of justice, the right
to give evidence, &c. &c. This it is
understood horo the Loyal white peO-
pic of East Tennessee, arc exceeding
" 10th to do. On this subject many
of our people arc not informed and
probably do not apprehend the true
state of the facts, and it is unfortu-
nate that they do not, since il is q
matter of great Importance, and they
are now called upon to act on it. 1t
is not my intention to offer an argu-
ment pro or con, nor even to express
an opinion, but simply 10 state the re-
al question before the people, and o
fact or two connected with ii. Our
people you know accepted cheerfsl-
iy the abrogation of slavery, but they
are unwilling to regard the freed neg
70 as their equal socially or political
lly. They therefore are opposed 70
any legislation designed to place him
upon an equality with them before
the legal tribunals Of the country.
They do not desire him to have the
privilege ofgiving testimony in our
courts &C.
But many do not know that the
matter of negro testimony Is no long
er an open question in Tennessee -
The United States Government has
settled that question and the negro
now enjoys that right and exercises
that privilege as fully before the
Freedmon's Bureau as the white man
does in our courts, so that as far rs
giving evidence is concerned in Ten
nessoe Federal authority has settled
the question dccisiyely, and the negro
is doing erery dag and will continue to
do so, so long as the national power
can enforce its mandates. Hence the
question our people have to settle
/ through their Legislature is, not
whether tho negro shall be permitted
to swear, &c. in Tennessee, for, as |
have stated, the National Government,
already, secures TO him that privilege
but simply, whether our Logisla
turc, by guaranteeing to him this
privilege, in the civil tribunals OF our
State shall do away with tho necessity
of Federal intsrposition in our Stale at-
fairs, and thereby assure the early
DithiutcaI of the Freedmdn's Bureau
from among us. That is THE question,
clearly and fairly stated, as under
stand it. 1t is u iirtng question, and
whatever may be our opinions, feel
ings or prejudices,- we have to decide
it proBptly,-for it is now in our pres
once, and demands immediate action
| The rebellion forced the United States
/. to destroy slavery, BY its military
power, because slavery was the
strength of the rebellion, and the de-
struction OF tho former was essential
TO tho defeat of the latter Four mil.
lions of slaves were made free. Be.
ling free the National Government re-
CO., n zes and guarantees to them, those
rights incident to freedom, =" life, lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness, "
To maintain these, tho whole civil
and military power Of the Government
is pledged, and will, if necessary, be
exerted, Hence the establishment OF
the Freedman's Bureau,-hence the
pressure Of tho military, wherever
and whenever necessary 10 enforce its
decisions. The question for our peo-
pie is shall our State Judges, and State
magistrates regulate the affairs Of the
neqroes Of our iSdte-recognizng the
rights and privileges already GUARAN-
rEED TO THEM by the NATIONAL Gov
ERYslENr, or shall these AFFAIRS be left
in the lands of Federal agents uiider