The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-01-03
Nesro Testi.nonr--Ertracf on I.ri,er

Negro IesfimonF--Bxtract Of a Letter
from Hon. n. &. Taylor.
The JonesbOrO' Union Flag publishes
the following extract Of q letter from
hon. n. G. Taylor, representative elect
from the First Congressional District.
Mr. Taylor states the situation touch
ing the question Of negro testimony
plainly and fairly. What ne SAYS ought
70 have great weight with the people of
East Tennessee:
WAsHssTos, Dec. ls, 1855.
Capt ESQ. Z. 6rishsD-De ? hir.
We from the States that were in rebel ion
nave not yet been permitted 10 take seats a.
member Of Congress. Cur cases have ali
been turr,9 over TO teiect JOINT committee
Of the two hcases, whose business it will be
70 investigate all the questions involved
sta 70 present some status upon which the
ia Congress.
" hat terms this committee will propose.
or what conditions it viii prescribe are mat
tiers OF conjecture. IL is pretty certain
however, that no man viii be received a. =
member Of Congress who cannot take the
oath required Of all the officers OF the Gov
eminent. Il is thought, 700, by many. that
Ihe lately rebellious States viii be required
20 give some qua antees in the shsDa al
legislative ensc'ments securing The riobts
Of freedmen before the courts OF iu.tjce ~.
right 20 give evidence, ETC., etc. This il =
UNDERWOOD here, the loyal white people OF
East tennessee are exceedingly 10th 10 do.
On this subject many Of our people are NOT
informed, aud probably do not appreheud
the true state Of the facts, and il Is upfoytu-
aate that they do not, since it is a matter of
great imPor .ance, and they are now called
upon 10 act on ii. IL is not nv intention 10
offer an argument pro or con. nor even ~
express an opinion, but simply TO state the
real question before the people, aud q fact
or Two eonneeted with il Our people. YOU
Know, accepted cheerfuily the abrogaiion
Of slavery, butthey are unwilling 20 reward
the freed negro as their equal so.ialiy or
politically. ihey, therefore, are opposed
10 any legislation designed 20 place him
upon an eq5ality with them belors the legal
tribunals OF The country. Thew DO not de-
sire him 10 have the privilege Of eiyiue les
tlinony in our courts, etc.
But many do not know that the matter Of
negro testimony IS no longer an open gues-
tion in Tennessee. The nit d states Gov
eminent has settle that question, and the
negro nov enjoys that right and exercises
that privilege as fully before the Freedmen's
Bureau as the white man does in our courts,
50 that as far as giving evidence is concern
ed in Tennessee, Federal authority has set
tied the question decisivsly, and the negro
is doing every day, and viii contiu9s 10 do
81 90 long as The national power can enforce
us msudstes. Hence, the question our peJ-
pie have 10 settle through their Legislature
ls, not whether the negro shall be permitted
t. swear, ETC., in Tennessee, for. as I have
stated, the National Government already Sc
cures 70 hun that priyilege-but simply,
whether our Legisla ure, by guaranteeing 10
him this privilege, in the civil tribunals Of
our STATE, shall do away with the necessity
Of Federal interposition in our state sfiairs,
and thereby assure the early withdrawal OF
the freedmen's Bureau from among US.
That IS TIA question, clearly and fairly stat
Fl, IS understand IL. L. is = living aues-
tion, and whatever may be our opinions,
feelings OF prejudices, we have 10 decide
it promptly, for il is now in our pres
ence, and demands immeulaic action. The
rebellion forced the United States 10 de-
stroy slavery, by its military power, be
cause slavery was the strength Of the re-
bellion, and the destruction Of the former
was essentisl TO the defeat OF the latter
-Four millions Of slaves were made free.
Being free the National Government recog-
niZes and guarantees 10 them, those rights
incident 10 freedom "life, liberty and the
pursuit OF happiness" To maintain these,
the whole ciyII and military power Of the
Government is pledged, ard will, ii neces-
sary, be eXerted. Hence the establishment
OF the Freedmen's Bureau-hence tho
pressure 81 the military, wherever and
whenever necessary 10 enforce its decisions
The question Tor our people is shall our STATE
judges, and State magistrates regulate Tie
AFFAIRS Of the negroes Of our State-rec0g-
H5zs nc rights ana privileges already GUARAS-
IEED 10 THIN BY tie EATIoSAL GoyERNNEsr,
or shan these AFFAIRS be left ia the hands Of
Federal agents .slder Department regulations
to Be eafOrcrs 5V NiHfary Potcery
leave the question without argument TO
the decision OF our people.
am very sincerely you're, &e.,
y. G.. TAYI0E.