New-York daily tribune., 1866-02-16
KENTUCKY.

Gen. John NJ. Palmer L. s. Commandant in
Kentucky, has been urged by the publishers OF
The Louisville Journal to urge the restoration OF
the AaJeas corpus in that State. lie answers
that he cannot do it, and gives excellent rea-
sons therefor, whereof these are part:
More than 90 600 persons, who were for longer or
shorter period of time in arms Tor the ayowed purpose
OF oyerthrowing the Government oil the State OF Ken
tucky and forcing its unwilling people into subsection
to hostile revolutionary government, have returned
10 the State welcomed back 20 their former homes IN
many by communities that regard them as par-
OTIS and heroes In many such communities loya citi.
zens and soldiers are objects OF prejudice dshhe and
often OF persecution.
Courts organized under the laws Of the State for the
equal distribution OF Justice in many instances have
permitted themselves to be used as the mere iastIu
ments OF the vengeance OF those who hostile 10 the
government so that loya! men are STILL In some parts
OF the State, compelled 10 leave their homes. or !ney
remain are constrained TO feel that their lives and
property and all their dearest interests insecure
The duty OF protecting all the people OF the state ana
especially those who have periled their lives in its de
fense, Is one that no Government can neglect and at
the time. escape the inputation OF inyratitnde
and subecting itself to merted contempt. Ii Is also
true that upward Of 100000 Of the people who were,
until lately slaves are free. As slaves they were
governed by system law adapted to their condition
but the same laws intended to eoaTrass them as
freenen.
The slave laws fell with the destruction of Slavery
and lett the State without system OF government or
laws adapted to the necessities OF this 100000 OF ITS
people, who have now deyolved upon them the duties
Of obedience 10 the Government and the discharge Of
mary public anG private obligations to which they have
heretofore been strangers. and Yet have not nnder eI
tng laws Of the State the rights Of either citizens or
aliens
II is the duty of the General Government, with or
without the concurrence Of the State 10 protect the
liberty Of the people and in OF nonaction on the
part Of the late authorities TO provide them with gov
ernment which shall be adequate 10 the ends for which
governments are ordained among men.
As then. the State has so fer altogether neglected to
provide special system Of laws for its freed people or
to include them within the provisions OF It's general
laws which define and protect the rights OF all other
inhabitants OF the State, upon what grounds 60 any OF
her people complain of the interference oil the M
tional Governmentp assert. with a. much earnest
ness and with high regard for the honor OF the pe0
pie OF nv native State any one possesses fnst the
general treatment Of slaves IN Kentucky was humane
and kind and that the people generally recognize tue
fact that Slavery has ceesed but that many Outagcs
have been committed upon negroes IN many paf' Ot hg
State is true beyond all doubt ana dfe ae m0S' ege'
iaqurs TAare been unable 10 hear ofo SINGLE instance 40
rhch the cir authorities hare punished the dSgress0rs
Nor are the authorities OF the law wholly TO blame
for this failure Of justice, Tor have now IN my posses.
sion the most satisfactory proof by the Statements o'
colorcd persons wtQ an assured are OF good charac
ter OF the murder OF two negroes by white men VINO
are beyond the reach Of criminal Justice because Oi the
legal ncompetency OF colored persons to be witnesses
! in the courts.
In addition to outrsgcs Of that kind combinations Of
lawess exist in many places 10 drive the colored
people from the State, and to prevent them iron OBJ
tanning employment Proof from the most respectable
has been laid before Inc Of these tacts still none
! are punished.
| Such acts gladly confess are condemned by the
great mass OF the citizens hut demand their pun.
shment White men naturally desire 10 escape the III
will OF these selfstyled Regulators. and negroes,
| however much they may be outraged and injured ID
person or property will not be heard by DE courts or
iurles.