The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-01-30

society, That the conflicts OF systems of law and
Il administration, the one for the white, and the
other for the colorea man, (the latter. however,
drawing into its jurisdiction every transaction
i in which q black may be involved,) shall cease
!, among US, and that the great interests Of rights
wrongs and remedies, may be committed 10
Z judges aud juries of the vicnage, according to
( ancient English and American usage. 1t Is
hoped, therefore, that the President and Con-
gress Of the United States, may order as early
as possible the withdrawal from our limits OF
the Bureau of Freedmen; at least, that these
authorities of the government will not provide
for its extension beyond its present limit of one
year from the close Of the war in this State.
i. Independently of the question of power to
maintain such an institution in time of peace,
1T is difficult to conceive how justice be ex-
ecuted, and decent respect for the judiciary
Il be maintained with such conflict of authority
rs must of necessity exist, with military trbu-
nal Of concurrent jurisdiction, not composed of
i men learned in the law, responsible to the
people of the State for their administration OF
& it. The right to appoint Judges to administer
I. the municipal laws, is as we'll established at
& rribute of the States of the American Union as
+ 1.-The power to determine whether murder, arson,
robbery or burglary shall be crimes, and the
oath of Judge handed down to from an
Client times that, 81 chez will do equal law and
right to all persons, Iich and poor, without hav-
ing regard to any person and that 81 will not
deny any person of common right by reason of
any letter or command from any persons III au-
!. thority to me directed, or for any other cause
whatsoever; and in any letter or orders
come to me contrary to law, will proceed to
enforce the law, such letter or orders notWieh-
sstanGing," requires him, he shall answer to
the State he serves, to deal out the justIce es-
tabllshed by law to any person, or commands
from any other authority. But by the regula
/. tions DOW or lately in operation if there be two
persons charged with crime, robbery, for exam
pie, the from the person Of a white man,
the other from black, the judge of the Supe-
rior Court for the County where the offences
were committed, may aud must try the first, ac-
cording to the course Of the common law; but
the other be must, Notwithstanding his oath of
Office, deliver over on military order to the
Freedmen's Bureau, to be tried by military
commission, although he should claim his de-
liverance at the hands of jury Of the country.
] am fully persuaded that in such a contest the
Supreme Court of the United States would sus-
tain the judges Of the State in the jurisdiction
they would be obliged to assert But depre-
cate controversy even in the forum between the
authorities Of the Government, and hopefully
trust that the President and Congress will re-
move the grounds of dispute by rentting the
State judiciary to its appropriate functions |
make these observations with very great defer
ence to the distinguished and benevolent officer
at the head of the Bureau of Freedmen, and
with. the best wishes for the happiness and ad-
vancement of this portion of our population; but
confusion, idleness, vice. crime and jealousy aud
Irritation between the two races are consequent
ces of the existing order Of things, and the safe
ty and welfare of society require reformation.
was one of those who believed that the late
disastrous war ought never to have occurred.
believe it never would have occurred, if the
masses of the people in the two sections could
have met in council and freely intercbanged
opinions and information. | am satisfied now
that the jealousy, hatred and distrust engender-
ed by the struggle prevail among politicians
with far more intensity than among the citizens,
including the late soldiers in either section 1t
concerns the republic that there shall be an end
of strife Confidence must begin somewhere.
The war actually ceased with the surrender Of
ihe Southern armies nine months ago.
This event was Immediately followed by the
liberation of all slaves, measure which co in-
stdntt, that it was accomplished annhilated two
thousand millions in value of property, and i'm
poverished thousands upon thousands of families
bred in af1uence, and accustomed to luxury
yet rot this extraordinary spoiatien, nor the in
discriminate devastations of homes and planta-
lions of uaexampled extent, entaling ruin upon
millions of inhabitants, has produced the slight
est show of opposition to the authority Of the
Government. The President, in late message
in which he concurs in the assertion OF the
General in charge Of the army, after extensive
personal observation from the eminent position
he occupies, announces that all resistance on the
part Of the States and individuals lately 10 re-
belon had caesed that the laws of the United
States are enforced and obeyed everywhere in
the South, and it would seem, we had reached
that point of progress when distrnst should
yield to confidence; aversion to spirit of har-
: mony, If not cordiality..
Among the laws in operation, are those for
the collection of the revenue of the United
States and the collectors are making collections
in various districts of the State, although it
seems to have been recognized as an axiom in
American politics, that representation and taxa.
ton were inseparable, yet regret to state that
no Senator or Representative has been admitted
into the halls of Congress from this State The
passions aroused in revolutions do not at once
subside, bat the sober sense of the American
people will not brook the violation of great
principles Of government. pray God that a
returning sense of patriotism and Justice, will
ere long correct the ejudice of the time, and
carry out the wise system so successfully begun
and perfected by the President, $50 far as de-
pended on Executive authority for the restora-
tion of the States to a constitutional and harmo.
NOUS Union, and that he will inspire all of US
with the wisdom and dispostian to do right
JONATHAN WORTH
Executive Department, jan. 18th, 1866
LOVE LAUGHS AT LOCK sMITHs-An clone