New-York tribune., 1868-09-08

ployer. &C. &C. Next came law lof-
bidding any freedman, free negro, OF mulatto''
"a hear or keen fire-arm or other weapons
under serious penalties, which made it capital
finn for Rebel soldiers transformed into State
police to 90 around, seize and carry oft the
muskcts which Blacks had earned by fight
ing in the Union armies. The freedman
not paving the fine imposed by this act was to
be " hired out" as usual
Wemight go on to instance the kindred acts
passed by Gen. Lees Southern people" through
the Johnsonized Legislatures of Georgia, Ala
bama, Florida, South Carolina, Louisiana, &C.,
including the Yagrant Act of Virginia, which
Gen. Terry would not allow to be enforced
Gen. Sickles pullifed the kindred act of South
Carolina, finding that its intent and inevitable
effect were TO reduce the Blacks TO virtual
slavery. All this legislation is based on Gen.
Lees notion that the Blacks are no part OF
"the Southern people" any more than their
horses and cows are, and are to he continually
reminded of their lack of all lrights which
Whites are bound to respect.
Such is the treatment of the Blacks by Cen
Lees Southern people" since the latter conceded
that Slavery was abolished, and the Blacks
astonished that the Northern people, whom
those Blacks had aided to put down his and
his Southern peoples" Rebellion, deeply felt
that their acquiescence i'll such iniquitous
legislation would be criminal perhdyf
Gen. Lee objects to the Eufranchsement OF
the Blacks that they lack intelligence
Whose fault is that7 How long is it since it
was q felony in his State, and in all the South
ern States, to teach them to readf Gen. Lee
is himself a teacher; will he allow the most
exemplary coored youth to enter his college
as student2 Certainly not. What have he
and his Southern people" done to dispel their
ignorance since the North set them free
What single State controlled by his Southern
people has ever made provision to educate
themf Which Of those States has either pro-
yided schools expressly for them or allowed
them to attend the common schools We
know of none. On the contrary wo know
that scores of school houses, built with
Northern money for their use, have been
burned or otherwise destroyed by Gen Lees
"Southern people, We know that refined and
estimablo Northern women, who have gone
South expressly TO teach them, have been
tabooed and scorncd by those " Southern peo-
:" ple,r for no reason on earth but their teach
ing "niggcrsr We know that nothing is more
detested and secuted by Southern people
than that very teaching. Nay: we have piles
of testimony that even Southern people lose
caste and excite implacable enmity by it. Here
is the substance of letter just received from "a
native South Caronian whose namo and resi-
dence we dare not give. as giving them would
expose him to outrage aud perhaps murder He
writes:
"For simply teaching largo school OF negroes TO read
tho word OF God and eEerting myself TO prepare them
for usefulness their sphere OF action have been
unfortunate enough TO bring down myself and family
tho dire vengeance OF the White population OF this state
At the same time have not been Radical for assure
You my sympathes have always been with the Democ
racy Ny life IA threatened every day: and know not
what rnannent may be my last. Already. have had
coffin placed at my door warning aud threat: and
from all quarters come threats OF violence. wish to
leave here; but at this time too poor 70 get away"
40. &o.
We might pile up such proofs OF the spirit
OF nearly all of those who aifecti0natcly regard
Gen. Lee as the abest commander and wisest
man OF this century but need wof The ques-
tion which divides us is not one of details or
of facts. II is simply this" Shall men charged
with no crime be entitled because they are
"men, to those rights of Human Nature for
(which Gen. Lees ancestry aud ours together
fought at Saratoga, Monmouth, Brandywine
and Yorktown y Gen. Lee says No; we say
Yes. The AMERICAN People must decide be-
tween Us.