Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1865-12-21
eRoRerA-nAueuRAL OF GOV. JEN-
KING.
Extract. from the inaugural.

4 EEAAAh INSTANT LIS 9AAAG11 01
cssion was very able, appropriate
patriotic. We subjoin those portlohs
which relate to general politics ana 'he
freedmen
In the brief survey, appropriated totne
field OF operations upon when
entering, we are led to consider HLI
u Federal relations, and ~ ~
/ home interests. The Constitution OF lhS
| United States defines me former ~
/ the Constitution of the State OF Georgia
indicates our duty concerning h lat
tar In these two great charters
of ibartv there is no inherent cause
~ conflict. As. according to the kepuo-
Iican theory, ali government is but popu-
lar agency, so these instruments con-
strued together, present TO n ninu %
enouirers a clear, satisfactory DIVISION
between the governments they seNefalIy
institute, OF all the powers necessary %
I the public ~eXigencies. Yet we are a9-
/ monished by history written IN Dlood'
! bafcondictha has arisen in the past. orig
mating partly in the too eager advocacy
III abstract theories, partly in sectional
-nreiudices and antagonism, and enlist
NC the evil passions of humanity II
wsxed fercer and fercer as il pro
yressed in a series Of years, and
eliminated In the attempted sepa-
-stion of some Of the American States
rom the remainder. Memories OF COM
mon sufferings and common utumphs,
and anticipsJions Of an exalted destiny
/ within the reach of a united, but unat-
tainable by a divided people-allke lost
their power over mems minds. Thede-
sire for triumph in the strife thus engen-
iared on both sides, spuriOusly assumed
the guise Of patriotism and inspired men
using a common Shibboleth with mutual
aversion. Five years since reason aban-
doned US, and the sword assumed b ar
bitrament. We open not the record OF
violence-wOuld that we could stamp II
with the seal of oblivion. Now the wa
ger of battle Is over and the Sward IS
against US, as parties to the issue. our
whole people have risen up and accepted
IT, as by the will of one man. What
/ vaior has failed 70 achieve, wisdom has
promptly renowned, and truth herself
has. set her signet 10 the aJtestaJion Of
the deed.
In. the recent remOdeling Of the Con-
/ stitution, the people of Georgia have ac-
! kuowledged the Constitution, laws and
/ treaties Of the United States as The Su-
irene Law. This means something
| more than yielding Of the contest, or an
I overture for restoration. Itimplies fidel-
itv to the supreme law in all future legis-
Iation. executive and judicial action, and
in all future movements Of the people en-
uasse. It implies a recognition Of duty
20. and interest in, the whole country, as
well as 20, and in the state Of Georgia.
Il is Of course predicated upon a
reciprocal obligation on the part
Of those 70 whom this pledge is
--,-,I TIKI rmerf~rfrn Of aIararw
the principal source of discord in
the past-has been efIectually e~radicated
rom our social and political systems. 1t
can eve again disturb the harmony Of
our narionaldeliberatiOns without which
the Federal Union must be a curse in
stead Of blessing. If the whole people,
REFRESHING all promptings Of sectional
feelings and interest, will faithfully OBJ
serve and obey the Federal Constitution,
coming events may lift the veil which
now covers recent demonstrations OF
Providence, and disclose to their rectihed.
vision, a striking contrast, ruin caused
bv human folly and renovation wrought
bv divine wisdom. After the weeping
that has endured through a long night
Of civil strife, joy may come in the morn
ing Of reunion.
Let not our people yield to discourage
ment, in view Of the Uardy progress Of
reconstruction, or Of the suspicion and
distrust so paipably manifested toward
them. Sustained by conscious ~rectitude,
let them maintain with calm and resOlute
dignity the position they have taken,
and await the result. A tempest of ia
surpassed fury has swept owe the land.
The elements do not subside into their
natural quiet instaneously with the luu
Of the wind, the sleep Of the lightning
and the hush Of the thunder. The
smoke Of a hundred battles does not
vanish in a moment. But the atmosphere
viii clear ere long those who cannOt
now see how men who recently fought
with such desperation against the United
states, can so soon become its real ciui-
zens. will then look at US through a rec
I titled medium. It will occur to them
that valor and truth are twin sisters,
born Of magnanimity, whose womb
never did, OF ever viii conceive ueagh-
cry. They will remember and appreci-
ate the historical fact, that the States
now eUuruingneve rcOnfederated against
herself had in open day, and
in the hearing Of all mankind,
declared herself separated from that
power. And although they will still
hold that act wrong in principle andvoid
in fact, they viii find in it no faint Of
duplicfty. They will look in vain through
all the s%anguinary traces Of war for the
trail Of the serpent. In due time con-
sistenos viii command confidence, and
sincerity, like the diamond OF the first
water, viii assUrefly win its own recog-
milton. Then Ii two suspicious Judges
will marvel less at our approved fealty,
than at their own hardness in discern
inc IL.
Be the process Of reconstruction long
or short, when contaminated our atUi-
-ude viii and must be that Of strict idel-
ity 10 the Union, Of equality with III
associates, and Of dignity sustained by
our inner sense of u~nviolated integrity.
Turning our attention to the subject Of
state administration appertaining more
directly 70 the service upon which We
are entering, the mind inv0luntarily
pauses upon the changed relation be
tween the Caucasian and African
races now fnhabiting Georgia. How
10 secure the latter in the positive
endowment Of the freedom with which
they have been suddenly invested. with
the least possible deuiment % both, Is a
problem full Of perplexiUy-tasking all
the energies Of astUDe, upright intellect.
II is believed that the vict0rs in the war.
and out Of which the change has been
wrought, and who take the initiative Of
the process, have realized in full force,
It's intrinsic difficulty. It's solution mas
been already partially, and ere long will
POSSIBLY be fully dev0lved upon the
states more Immediately interested and
better qualified for the work by reason Of
Observation-Disclosures. With the charac-
teristic traits Of the negro, and with the
employment inwhich hehas been trained
and 10 which hissteady adherence should
be encouraged, the transition from sla-
very 10 freedom Of a large class is not a
novel one in American history. In sew
eral Of the States it has been enacted with
wi exterior Intervention, by a process
so gradual that no shock has been
felt in the labor system, no fren-
zied impulses impaired to the liber-
ated class. Upon US has come like the
sudden appearing, the terrific, Temb-
ling and the destructive engulping Of
the earthquake in volcanic localities.
But however effected, and by whatever
embarrassments encountered, the fact is
accomplished, ~Unalterably fixed. The
realization that il is so is the first step
toward the proper adjustment Of the new
system, and that 1 am persuaded, is in
its vast magnitude, its tremendous con-
sequences, early impressed upon the
Southern mind.
ANY reference in detaiIto the action
demanded by the crisis, would be inap-
propriate TO this occasion and is rendered
unnecessary by the provident forecast of
the Convention recently held, entrusted
to five gentlemen, equally distinguished
for ability, experience and benevolence,
the work Of preparing and digesting, for
consideration, "a system or code Of
laws adapted 70 the exigencies oftbe new
situation. In it you may find valuable
aid, and I recommend it TO your careful
consideration.
At this time I propose only a reference
10 prominent points demanding atten-
a~ndgeneral principles, which should
our action. And first, I present
% YOU a well merited plea in behalf Of
he emancipated African. Hitherto the
bOndman Of the race from
whose personal dominion be has Just
1een -disenthralled, but upon whose be-
and Justice he stiu depends for
protection and advancement, be stands
you an object Of peculiar
interest. Happy In the past bondage
which lightly taxed his physical energies,
.bundantly supplied his wants as well in
infancy and in old age, as in vigorous
nanhood-as well IN weakness a IN
iealtn, and which leaves him at its close
nmeasUrably elevated above the coJem-
.0raneOus routine Of affairs descended
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