New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-01-26
uw. PENDLRTON,s VIEW.

The Hon. Geo. II. Pendleton-who was not
elected viee. President in 1864, but would have
been if he had received Half Million more
yotes-is a Democrat of the extreme State
Rights" pro-Slavery, pro-Southern school, but
nevertheless gentleman born and bred, (his
father, the Hon. N. G. Pendleton, was chosen a
Wing Member of Congress in 1907 and he is
himself humane, conscientious, philosophic
devotee Of very bad political school. We are
not surprised, therefore, though we greatly re-
joice. that Mr.. Pendleton has written to an ex-
Rebel friend in the Virginia Legislature,
strongly dissuading tho South from enacting or
perpetusting any laws which shall deprive the
Freedmen of legal standing in courts as parties
or witnesses-in fact, protesting against any
further degradation or oppression of the Blacks
than is involved in denying them the right to
vote. to serve on juries, and to hold Office. He
says that while he speaks with diffdence,
THE proper TO be pursued at this time BY the
Southern States In relation 10 their freedmen, ought
TO be humane. and In conformity with their changed
condition and calculated 10 give free scope to what
ever capacity for Improvement they may possess,
do not doubt. Whatever may have been expedisnt
~
exists Il does TO that justice and good policy alike
require that ample protection should be assured 10 the
person and property OF the negro wherever he Is reoog
niBed freeman. mean that protection and that
sense of protection which just laws impsrtiay admin
stered give TO the person and property Of the white
man. The condition OF freedom deprive the negro OF
that care and protection which the affection and In
terest Of his master assured him. and impose
upon him the duty TO support himself and his family
The full enjoyment OF the fruits Of his sborhe night
TO acquire and hold property 20 make snd enforce
tracu-is essential TO tie performance Of this duty
The society which imposes the duty should guarantee
the protection This Is simple justice to the negro
believe that IL will the time promote the peace
and good order Of society and the pheasant and prota
bic connection Of the two races in their relation to
each other.
~ notice what you say In reference 10 the PROPOSE
ton TO permit negroes testify Many udioous per-
sons agree with the opinion Jon express; but nv OBJ
alton and experience have convinced me that the
true rule is 70 permit all persons 70 testify Leaving to
the Judge the jury the question Of their credbfy
Such with very Uncomfortable exceptions has been the
Law Of Ohio for ten years. and IL has been attended
with good results
The fact that this is simple common sense,
and that heed to it is quite as important to the
Whites as to the Blacks of the South, does not
detract from its value. The counsel ia urgently
needed, and will do good.
We regret that Mr.. Pcndleton should seem
oblivious Of the most momcntous changes &C.
curing under his own eyes. He says:
"The questions relating to the status Of its inhab
ants belong solely 70 each State. They lie within The
domain Of reserved, powers. upon which neither tho
Eeds al Government nor the ether States can lawfully
1 enter"
Such was the fundamental law Of our country;
but such it is no longer. Mr.. Pendleton was a
Representative in the last Congress, and, ss
such, fought the slsyey-inhibiting Amendment
fairly and manfnlly, as he had 8 perfect right to
do. He failed to defeat it, however, and 1. is
now q part Of the Federal Constitution. BE
may still dislike, but he has no moral right to
ignore it. And it completely reveses the rule
which he treats Is still subsisting.
We entirely concur with Nr. Pendlston. bow.