Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-01-19
gglatrhman 4 Stair gOsrnaI.
by E. p. WALTON.
MoNrPELIER. JAtuARY 10. lse5

~ Several incidents Of recent occurrence prove
the groundlessness Of any fear that the recogni
ton by the President of the new governments in
the Southern States implied an abandonment of
loyaists and freedmen in those states to their for
mer enemies. Most prominent among these in
cidents is General Order No g. issued by Gen.
Grant requiring the military to protect Unonist
whites and all freedmen from wrong through the
courts Of the states This Of itself proves that mil
itary authority is still to be exercised. To the
same point is the fact, teegrnphed on Monday
last, that =" Gen. Grant, by order OF the President
refuses to Withdraw troops from southern states,
until there is good security for the rights and
safety Of all classes Of citizens" This, il will be
observed, is in complete accordance with the res
olution lately adopted by the House Of represen-
tatves. And there is still another very satisfac-
tory report not directly to the point above stated
but related to it and it is that southern mep who
have been convicted by military tribunals Of out
RACES upon the blacks, are not deemed proper sub
ects for Executive clemency. They must take
deserved punishment. Such facts show that the
President still deseryes thecouddence of those who
to above, was in these words
" For the present, and until there is full securi
~ for equitaby maintaining the rights aud safety
Of all classes Of citizens in the States lately in
bellion. would not recommend the withdrawal Of
the United States troops from them. The number
I Of interior garrisons might be reduced, but nov
able force sufficient 20 insure tranquility should be
retained. While such force is retained in the
South, doubt the propriety of putting arms in
the hands Of the militia
In this connection, we observe that the Senate
is acting vigorously for the protection of the
freedmen against any unfriendly state legislation,
and also for the relief Of their necessities One
bill, reported by the Judiciary Committee, en-
larges ;he powers Of the Freedmen's Bureau so as
to give it jurisdiction over all freedmen and refu-
gees with military protection in every case where
state laws or courts subject the freedmen TO any
disabilities on account of race or color; and It
also sets apart three million acres of land in Flor-
da, Mississippi and Arkansas as homesteads, and
confirms the possessory titles granted in pursuance
of Gen. Sberman's order No. 10. The same
committee has also reported bill to protect the
civil rights Of the freedmen. 1t declares that
there shall be discrimination in civil rights OF
immunites among the inhabitants Of any state OF
territory Of the United States on account of race
color, or previous condition Of slavery but the
inhabitants Of every race and color without re-
gard 10 any previous condition of slavery or in
voluntary servitude except as a punishment for
crime whereof the party shall have been duly con-
ycted, shall have the same right TO make and en-
force contracts, TO sue be parties, and give evi-
dence, to inherit, purchase lease, sell hold, and
convey real and personal property, and to full and
equal benefit Of all laws and proceedings for the
security Of person and property, and shall be sub
ject to like punishment, pains and penalties and
to none other, any law, statute ordinance, regu.
lation, or custom, to the contrary notwithstanding
Any person who under cover Of any law, statute
ordinance, regulation, or custom, shall subject Oh
cause to be subjected any nhabitant of any state
or territory to the deprivation OF any right secured
or protected by the act, or to different punishment
pains or penalties on account of such person hay.
ing at any time been held in condition Of slavery
or involuntary servitude, except as punishment
for crime whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted, or by Of his color or race than
is prescribed for the punishont of white persons
is to be deemed guilty of misdemeanor, and OF
conviction to be punished by fine not exceeding
$1,000, or imprisonment not exceeding one year
or both in the discretion of the court.
The U. S. district courts are to have jurisdiction
of all cases, and commissioners, attorneys, anC
marshals are required TO enforce the law under /
penalty of $1,000 for each neglect, and any rcsis
lance to them is punishable by the same fine anc
imprisonment. In short, the machinery Of tn,
fugitive slave law is turned to the protection o
freedmen. The curse is to become blessing.