Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-19
VOLUME XXXIII.
TESTIMONY OF HON. ALEX. III. STE
PHENS=CONTINUE

illdl anu beleSIdpH. we lneIelelS duu llSul
IN order to make it complete:
@. In what particular did the people be-
lieve their constitutional liberties were en-
! dangered or assaiIed from the Union?
A. ! would say in their internal social
policy, and theirapprehension from the gen
eral consolidating tendencies Of the doctrines
and principles of that political party which
had recently succeeded in the choice of a
President and Vice President of the United
States.
Itwas the serious apprehension that if the
Republican organization, as then constituted,
should succeed to power, it would lead ulti-
mately TO a virtual subversion Of the Con-
stitution Of the United States, and all its es-
sentiql guarantees of public liberty. | think
that was the sincere and honest conviction
of the minds Of our people. Those who OPP
posed secession did not apprehend that any
such result would necessarily follow the
elections which had taken place. They still
thought all their rights might be maintain
ed in the Union and under the Constitution,
especially as there were majorities in both
Houses of Congress who agreed with them
on constitutional questions.
@. To what feature of their internal social
policy did they apprehend danger?
A. Principally TO the subordination of the
African race as it existed under their laws
and institutions.
q. In what spirit is the emancipation of
the slaves received by the people?
A. Generally it is accepted, l think, in
perfect good faith, and with disposition to
do the best that can be done in the new
order of thing. In this particular
q. What at present are the relations sub
sisting between white and black people, es-
pecially in the relation of employers and
employed?
A. Quite as good as in any part of the
world that / have been in, between like
cases Of employers and employees, and the
condition of things in this respect, on my
return last fall, was very different from
what it was when | left home for my pres
ent visit here. During the fall and up to
the close of the year, there was general
opinion prevailing among the colored
people that at Christmas there would be a
division of lands, and very general indis-
position on their part TO make contracts at
all for the present year. Indeed there were
very few contracts, | think, made through
out the State until after Christmas or about
the LIST of January. Gen. Wilson, who Is
ct the head Of the Bureau in the State, and
whose administration has given general sat
isfaction TO our people, | think, was very
active in disabusing the minds of the col
ored people from their own views in this
particular He visited quite a number of
places and addressed large audiences of
colored people, and when they became sat
isfied they were labOring under mistake in
anticipating division of lands after Christ
mas and LIST of January, they made con-
tracts very readily, and since then their
affairs in the main have moved quite
smoothly and quietly.
Q. Are the negroes generally at work?
A. Yes, they are generally at work.
There are some idle, but this class consti-
tutes but a small portion.
Q. What, upon the whole, is their con-
duct under the circumstances in which they
are placed, or otherwise?
A. As whole, much better than the most
hopeful looked for.
Q. As far az you know, what are the lead
ing objects and desires of the negroes at the
present time in reference to themselves?
\. 1t is to be protected in their rights of
person and property, to be dealt by fairly and
justly.
Legislature of Georgia for the accomplish
ment of these objects?
A. The Legislature has passed an act of
which the following is a copy:
" No. 99.-An act TO define the term per-
sons of color, and to declare the rights of such
persons.
"Sec l. BE IL enacted DC, That all ne
groes, mulattoes mestizOes and their descend
4 41,,.-
veins shall be known in this State as persons
of color.
Sec >. Be Il further enacted, That per-
sons Of color shall have the right to make
and enforce contracts to sue, to be sued, to
be parties and TO have full and equal
benefits OF all laws and proceedings for the
securityof person and estate, and shall not
be subject to any other different punishment,
pain or penalty for the commission of any
act or ofiense, than such as are prescribed
for white persons committing like acts or
ohenses."
The third section repeats all conflicting
laws. The bill was approved by the Gov
ernor, March Il, 1866.
A. Does the act express the opinions of
the people, and will it be sustained?
A. l think it will be sustained by the
courts as well as public sentiment. 1t was
passed by the present Legislature. As an
evidence Of the tone of the Legislature of the
State, as well as that of the people Of the
State, upon the subject, | will refer you
simply TO a letter ] wrote TO Senator Stewart
upon the same subject / submit to you a
copy of that letter. 1t was as follows:
"WAsHINGToN, D. c., April 4, 1866
DEAR SIR-In answer to the inquiries touch
ing the sentiments and feelings of the people
Of Georgia toward the freedmen and the le-
gal status of this class of the population in
the State, allow me to say, the address deliv-
cred by me, on the 22d of February last, be-
fore the Legislature, a copy Of which l here
with hand you, expresses very fully and
clearly my own opinions upon the subject
of your inquiries This address was written
and printed, rs YOU now see il, before its de-
livery. 1t was delivered rcT5dtim, as you
now read it, that there might be no mistake
about il. Ii was, as il now stands unani-
mously Endorsed by the Senate in a Joint
resolution, which was concurred in by the
House without dissent and was ordered to
be spread upon the journals of both Houses.
This refer 10 you as n better and more de-
liberate index of the feelings and views of
the people of the State on the subject, than
any bare individual opinion might express
or entertain. The Legislature of n State, il
is to be presumed, is as correct reflex OF
the general feeling and views of the State as
any that can be obtained from any quarter.
In addition, the Legislature subsequently
evinced their principles by works in passing
an act which | also inclose 10 you. This
act speaks for ITSELF 1t is short, con-
else and nointel rs well rs Comprehen-
sive. Ii secures TO the colored race
the right 10 contract and enforce con-
tracts; the right TO sue and be sued the
right 10 testify in the Courts, subject to the
same rules that govern the testimony OF
whites and it subjects them 70 the same
| punishment for all ohenses as whites. In
these respects, embracing in all essential
civil rights all classes in Georgia, now there
is no discrimination in these particulars on
account of race or color. Please excuse
this hasty note. | have no time TO give
more detail. Yours, most respectfully,
"ALFN. ii. STEPHENS.
" Hon. WN. II. STEWART, L. 5. Senator.
q. What if anything, is being done in
| Georgia in regard 10 the education of the
negroes, children or adults2
\. Nothing by the public authorities as
| vet. Schools are being established in many
| parts of the State under the auspices Of the
| Freedmen's Bureau, | think, and quite a
number by the colored people themselves,
encouraged by the whites.
q. What disposition do the negroes mani
fest in regard 10 education?
A. There seems 10 be a very great desire,
on the part of the children and younger
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