The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-21
Georgia and the Freedmen

Gov. jenkins, Of Georgia, has pub
lished a proclamation suggested by the
Circular of Gen. Tillson, and general
orders of Gen. Brannan, restricting the
jurisdiction of the Freedmen's Bureau
in Georgia. The jurisdiction OF the
State Courts is enlarged in the. ratio Of
the decrease of that of the Bureau.
This the Governor says, is "unquestion-
ably highly satisfactory advance in
the process of restoration to our for
mer political status, which may be fol-
lowed by a further advance in the
same direction, or by a retrograde
movement, as circumstances may indi-
cate 1t has been induced mainly by
the legislation Of the General Assembly
relative TO the status of the freedman
1t viii not be lost and may be speedily
pushed further, if the Judiciary, in
Courts of inquiry and in Courts of re-
oord-fhe Bench and the Jury Box,
give effect to the letter and the spirit
of the laws by them enacted"
The Governor adds -
In the full assurance that my fellow ciG-
gems, official aud unofficial, who may be
called upon 20 participate IN the adininistra-
ton Of Justice will hold the scales in per-
feet equilibrium, as between individuals and
classes congratulate the people Of Georgia
upon this earnest Of coming restoration TO
t.-f.-s,- anlF- u,varnuannt In ouv -ar1f-
ton, neither conscious rectitude Of inten-
ton. MOI noisy and unbecoming professions
Of it, will avail ausht. Praeticsl demon
STATIONS, which Incredibly itself cannot
gainsay, aud nothing e.se, viii work cut our
redemption.
Itisof great importance to us that none
mistake the effect Of the Presidents recent
Peace Proclamation, and OF the orders above
referred 40. Our condition Is certainly
anomalous, and mischicvous errors might
result from Theoretical speculation upon
these documents. / therefore stsie, as the
result Of official insercourse and Of careful
exam nation OF previous orders and circu
lars, which are only modified, not with
drawn
ist. That the Agents, in the several eoun-
ties Of the freedmens buteau. stJli have
Jurisdiction in all cases between freedmen
and others, when the sum involved does not
fAAhN1 MY ANAAANeH NANiNnlhN OF interest,"
They msy also take cognizsnce Of and try
all offences committed by freed people or
1 against them, provided the punishment
does not exceed a fine OF fifty dollars or
I thirty Gays Imprisonment at hard labor"
/ They are also sull charged with thc duty %
/ examining AMI approving OF disapproyng
I labor contracts, and OF assisting ana
/ protecting by Legal means, freedmen re-
I quiring such aid. Tiah bv strictly
] ma aHa.a 4 II
| with, except where the accused is
| soldier, or the offence charged, is
/ enc against the Federal Government
"a y, ! have high suthority for saying
/ that "the Presidents proclamation cs
not remove martial law or operate IN any
way upon the Freedman's Bureau, In the
exercise cf its legitimate jurisdicuon."
| though % is not decmed expedient to resort
/ 90 military tribunals - any case where ius-
I tico san be attained through the medium
| Of civil authority" Ny impression is that
I IN ease OF military srresJ BY orders from
I Headquarters, Department oi q orcia, in
! reference Of otate Judges, by Ea56as corpus
/ viii not be permitted. Such orders, be
/ Htyc, VII De rarely. 10 ever. issued, and
/ trust conflict viii be avoided.
! Whilst, Therefore, commuUicaG-E re1ia-
! bic information, I seek 90 guard the who g
people against erroneous Impressions re-
/ garaing TIE extent 90 which the Federal
military authority iArcltNed, I respectfully
/ call upon the civil authorities 10 assume
and @ exercise IN perfect fairness and nus
| tce, the Jurisdiction clearly restored 90
them. Calmly and patiently pursuing our
now ascending course, let our acts illus
tratc our tile 20 fuller confidence sud high
e- rights. Faithful ob ervance OF tbe Fed
cral Constitution and impartial adm;uisira-
& ON Of the Jaw, will best yiudicatc intcu-
uous honestly entertained aud distinctly
expressed, but cautiously accredited.