New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-12-04
Gov. Hmnphreys's Message.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE JACKSON MISS. Nov. 70. iS6A
Gsptien,n Of the Senate and House Of Rems'eHfa're:'
In view of your resolution to take, at q
early day. recess until after the holidays deemn
proper TO call Your immediate attention to few soe
iects Of vital Importance the welfare OF the State
By the sudden emancipation Of over three hundroe
thousand slaves. Mississippi has imposed upon no.
problem OF vast magnitude upon the proper sosuS'se
of which depends the hopes and future prosperity ana
welfare of ourselves aud our children.
Under the pressure of Federal bayonets. urged on W
the misdirected sympahies Of the world In oehali u
the enslayed African. the people OF Mississippi hAvs
abolished the institution ofSlavery and have a.
cared in their State Constitution that tho Iegisis.
should sproyde by law for the protection and secafV
OF The person and property Of the freedmen OF the $500
and guard them and the State against any ryns .u:e
NAV arise from their sudden emancipation. How IN
mportsnt provision aud requirement of the Consttu-
ton Is be carried into effect Is the queson no" pv
scented ior solution We must now meet 'ne q1y.
ton as IL is and not as would like to have ~ The
rule must be justice. The negro Is free whether we
like il or not we must realize that for now and forever
To be free however does not MAKE MIN ~ liz, ~
man But the Constitution and justice do enttie him %
protection and security in his person and property oosh
In my humble Judgment no person bond or free. un-
der any form of government can be assured OF protee
tion security In either person or properly e1GsPt
through an independent and enlightened judiciary Ihs
courts then should be open TO the negro Bat OF Whas
avail - it to open the courts, and invite the negro 70
and be sued II he not permitted to TESTIFY nim
self and introduce such testimony as be or his attorney
nav deem essential to establish the truth and Justice OF
his ease Whether the witness be White or Black 10
Is the denial OF the most common privilege ireeuom
an unmeanng delusion, the merest mockery.
AS measure Of domestic policy whether for the pro-
lection OF the person or property OF the freedman or 10.
the protection Of society. the negro should be allowed
and sreguired 10 testify for against the bite and
Black according TO the truth. There are few men Nv
| ing 10 the South who have not known many Whte
criminals to go "unwhipt OF justice because negro
testimony not permitted In the courts. Ana nov
that the negro is longer under the restraints and
protection of his MASTER he will become the dupe ana
''catspaw Of the vile and vicious White man vac
seeks his association, and will plunder our land Wiz
entire security from punishment unless ne can %
reached through negro testimony 1t is an 70 the
intelligence and yirtne of our courts and Juries OF
White men TO say or suspect that they cannot or wiz
no. protect the innocent whether White or biacks
against the fasehood and perjury OF Black witnesses
The question Of admitting negro testimony ior tho
protrcon of their persons aud property sinks into in
significance by the side the other great question Oh
guarding them and The STATE against the evils that may
arise from their sudden emancipation. What are the
evils that have already arisen against which we are "
guard the negro and the Statct The answer Is patent
to al-vagrancy and pauPer;sm and their incvitaDts
| concomitant crime and misery hang like dart pan
once prosperous anu nappy, out ho" uos"s"es>
TO the guardian care Of the Freedmen's Bureau has
been intrusted the emancipated slaves The civil law.
and the White man outside Of the Bureau has been de-
pr!ved Of all jurisdiction over them Look around you
and see the result Ideness and vagranes have been
the rule. our rich and productive fields have been 10
serted for the filthy esrreis and sickly cellars OF our
towns and cities From producers they are cow erseo
into consumers aud Winter approaches, their only
sally alton from starvation and want is Federal ratons
plumber and pillage. Four years OF cruel war. con
Quoted upon principles Of vandalism di,gracoul 70 the
civilization Of the age was scarcely more blgltins ana
{ destructive to the homes Of the White man. aud i'm
poycr.hng and degrading to the negro. than has re-
suited in the last eight months from the adnpins
traton Of this Black noubus. Many Of the Sfnoes,
connected with that Bureau are gentlemen OF hono.
and integrity. but they seem incapable OF ~
the rights and property Of the White man assps.
yilanies of the vile and yillanies with whom '"''
: associated r.., ID
n How lone this haeous curse permitted OF Heaven !"
to be allowed rule and ruin our unhappy p e. thar
greet Is not in my power 10 give any IA ecls.
han can be gathered from the pa,e the troops viii all
lie Withdrawn from Mississippi when In the opinion
the Government the peace and oruc, ;n,a,nsd without
has been restored and cav IS 70 what will satisfy the
Gorerrmant If onr LOYALTY aud ability 20 mainsn wvc
and peace aud civil government y ~ ths STATE from the
CONSTITUTION ,n sudden emancipation must not u
,,J Oar duty to the STATE ana 70 ths iIeeomo,s
nesIec!ea =" be clear and respectfully recommend:
seems 70 % .gro testimony should be admitted IN our
fba 49,, anly for the protection OF the person and
cours Of the freedman, but Tor the protection OF
society against the u, nnes t IN soms
Of Industry for the support Of his family and t:
. Sncstion Of his children. by laws assuring BIN "
Il friendship aud protection ,
TAI the freedman for the support OF tue ndigsat a,o
nj helpless freedmen. and then with On iron VIII 40 -
,nr hand Of power take hold OF the dler and the w.
grant and force him TO some profitable eupl9 y.
THird: Pass militia law that will enable the oe'n y
protect people against insurrecfion or any Po'"
combination Of vicious white men and negroes.
deem the passage Of these measures before yv1
: q recess, Of vital importance by them se may ssva
the withdrawal Of the Federal troops: ana tnus ss ~
inspire people with hope and oonnaence ~ VIZ
o ture and encourage them TO engage again ~,
, tural pursuits upon which our AL depends wo
Q to pass them. tho future Is all nneer'nn. sv
q dependency bEsI. nu Mt..;s.ia.;
10, fG~sra"s '" A~~