Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-10-11
What Southern Governor has to Say about I
Slavery and the Negroes.

Slavery and the Negroes.
Governor Marvin, of Florida, is one OF
President johnson appointees. So Is Gov
ernor Sharkley, of Mississippi, Governor
Perry of South Carolina, etc. For some
things which Sharkley and the rest of them
have done, he has been held responsible and
distrusted. 1t is but fair that the rule
should be allowed to work the other way.
No doubt Governor Marvin is far better
man than Sharkley or Perry, but that came
not because President johnson preferred to
have it so, but simply because he had to
take the best men he could find, and no
where else was there as good man as he
found in Florida in the person of Judge
Marvin. In nappointing Sharkley, Perry &
Co., he rejected not better men, but in Sc
lectiDg Marvin, he rejected whole tribe OF
men not so good. In every ease he took
the best men he could lay his hands on.
Still, perhaps in no instance, excepting Flo
rida was the appointee what he wished
IF Andrew johnson is to be judged accord
ing to the standard Of Sharkley or Perry
why not Marvin also? That the reader may
know what the latter standard is, we quote
from one of his speeches, which was address
ed the people of Quincy on the 5th Septem-
Der, 1865.
When the rebellion faiied-for as such it
will go into history-by the surrender of the
Confederate armies-our State Government.
which had been identified with it, also went
down a ruin among the general ruin which
overwhelmed the States of the South.
Florida was then without a Government of
any kind, and remained in that condition OF
anarchy and confusion for a few days; till
the United States Government extended
over the State martial law, and such is our
status at present.
After much discussion by the best and
soundest thinkers in the Nation the ques-
ton has been settled with much unanimity
| that the secession of State is an impossi-
| bility y rebellion cannot be a success unless
| it amounts to revolution, affecting alike
all sections of the country. The very soil
+ embraced within the American Republic
scorns to receive the impress of but oneGov-
| ernment at the same time. 1t follows that
| Florida has never ceased to be StIte in
the Union but she has been State in re
| bellion, and, by her acts has destroyed her
State Government, and particularly the in
stitution of slavery which was nursed in its
| bosom and defended by it. She is now held
| by martial law In 4 state of tutelage, with
| her political rights III abeyance, and will be
kept there till she organizes for herself, on
| a new basis, a new government
| | feel 1t duty | owe to you and our com
mon country to cali your attention to few
matters which must characterize the Consti-
tuition to be framed. Every element which
entered into the war seemed concentrated on
the destruction Of slavery. 1t was without
constitutional basis or legal protection when
your State Goverpments was. ytteS.ynuMeAlr M Alro. |.
| and by Presidential proclG nations. and NAV
be considered as thrice dead and plucked up
by the roots. Any attempt on the part oi
the Convention to revive and reinstate il
would be labor and time spent in vain. The
future Constitution ef Florida must, ,t,taran-
tee freedom alike to all 1t must not be black
or ,chite, but free!
And am free to confess that, in view of
the dlsorganized state Of our society. it is
well, In my judgment that slavery has pass
ed away forever. Supposing the institution
remained, and the 10000 colored troops.
who have been thoroughly drilled in the
use of arms, and instructed in the rights of
treamen, and who have exhibited on MANY
a battlefield, and in the storming of bate
RES, steadIness and a courage equal to that
OF the white man were turned loose among
US, how long would that institution last, or
whose life or property would be secure? In
that case, slavery would disappear in car
mage and rivers of blood Thank God. the
thing is out of the way, and we are safe !
The future of Florida, in this respect is
that of every other State in the Union ex-
cept Kentucky and Delaware, and shortly
| these States must be free. As citizens. be-
fore the law, the freedmen must be in all
| respects our equals. | do not mean that as
race they are or can be made during MANY
generations, if ever, the equals personally of
the Caucasian race. or can enjoy the same
political or social position; but that is no
| reason why Constitution or law should dis
crlminate against them. The right of suf
trage does not necessarily follow, for that is
not natural but political right, which
may be granted or withheld, as sound policy
may dictate
Furthermore, the Constitution must de-
clare that persons of color shall be admitted
as witnesses IN all our courts of civil iuris-
prudence. The law, in this respect. must
know no distinction of color.
l am aware that this is hard doctrine to
many, but 1t is not, and never was, such to
me. Some think the negro constitutionallv
liar-that falsehood is marrow in his bones
and that it circulates in his blood. Now
that is not true, in whole or in part and the
statement is sander upon both God ana
mar. An experience of thirty years in the
South has satisfied me that the slave has of.
ten told the truth, whilst the master has
lied. All classes of witnesses stand before
the court and jury upon their own merits.
and their testimony by judge and Jury. is
taken for what it is worth They would no
doubt, often perure themselves, but who
does not know that every court room is the