The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-08-05
Capt. C,ark and Major Hale.

an alignment described by the politicians
of the day as the Liberal and Ultra
wings of the Democracy Both Of the
contestants are gentlemen well worthy OF
support. both are good democrats, but
differ widely as to questions Of policy,
and solely upon questions of policy. We
are firmly convinced that the best in
terest of our country demands the elec-
ton of Capt CLARK. Clark's position
is sustained by Gov. Leslie, 1t Gov,
Carlisle, and our entire State ticket
The question of negro testimony Is
brought before the people Of Kentucky
precisely as was the negroes freedom
and negro voting, and We have to deal
with it precisely on the same terms The
negro votes in Kentucky By national
law. and any one obstrueting or inter
feriug with their privilege to vote, is
subject to fine and Imprisonment by
national law. The negro enjoys his
freedom in the same way, and any inter
ference is punished By national law
Now. the same national law demands that
he sbsll be witness, and Furnishes any
obstruction by fne and imprisonment.
We obey the two first from policy, then
Why all this furious excitement and OPP
position to the last, which is the least
compTomise Of the three.
Our regular nominee for Lieut. Gov
ernor, SIR Carlisle, appreciating the
situation, caused by our State law con
flicting with the national law on this
question, introduced a bill so amending
our laws of evidence as to allow the
negro to testify in our State courts, prin
cipally for the reason that it would re
lieve the Judges and Magistrates of the
danger of being fned and imprisoned
for refusing to admit it, aud for the ad-
ditional reason Of placing our State gov
eminent in harmony with the national
government.
Gov. Leslie, our Democratic nominee
for Governor, in his opening speech at
Frankfort, declared himself, in favor of
negro testimony.
We believe all our State Judges, unite
ina prayer to our Legislature asking
that our laws be so amended, as to relieve
them of the danger of fine and imprison-
ment.
Each Of our court officers IN this Dis
triet, Judge Lindsay of the Supreme
Bench, Judge Boon of the Circuit
Bench, aud C. L. Randle, our Common
wealth Attorney, have each declared pub
liely and privately, that they favored the
admission of negro evidence.
Here is an array of endorsement of the
position taken by Capt. Clark on this
question which challenge any denial.
The ultra men would have our Judges
and magistrates reJuse negro testimony
subjec,iug themselves to Gue and i'm
prisonment, when the national law de
nanding his admission as a witness is
just as positive as the national law de
handing bis reception as 4 voter, and
yet not en- officer Of the election or any
discreet citizen can be Induced 20 take
the responsibility Of refusing to permit
them to vote. Is it Just, then, to re
qaire others, by State law, 70 refuse 70
permit them to testify.
There is just as much sense in our re /
fasing to acknowledge the negroes free
dom, or his right to vote. as there IS in
his right to testify, because all three are
no,o established by national law.
This liberal view promises TO extri
cate the country from it's war strifes and
sores, and place political parties
solely and purely upon questions per
tanning to state of peace, such as tariffs,
taxations, etc. This view promises
bright future both to the North and the
South, aud we honestly believe will sc
cure victory to the National Democracy
in next years Presidential race. The
Democracy now control 16 States, IS of
which we're won solely upon this liberal
view and under these liberal promises
aud professions. Shall we here in Ken
lucky by an ultra course drive these Is
States from US, or shall we defer some
what to their views =? See the result Of
this liberal policy in Tennessee and Mis-
souri, The liberal Democracy is there
fore live party, and promises glorious
future of fraternity and prosperity to the
country.
What does the ultra side promise?
II insists on keeping in our statutes
State law excluding the negro from ties
tifying, which the State is powerless to
enforce, and which is in conflict with the
national law on the same subject. The
national law Furnishes by fines aud i'm
prisonment our State Judges and Mag
istrates for obeying this very State law,
and yet the State affords 90 protection.
If these gentleman insist on our Magis-
trates and Judges refusing negro testi-
mony and obeying State law, when they
kno'o the national law will find them for
so doing, We ask if justice don't demand
that they should pay their fines out of
the State treasury. Let the people at
tempt to shoulder all these fines, and
taxation will be piled mountain high on
Kentucky Ills to escape this awkward
position that prompts the liberal De
mooraey.
We submit again if this opposition TO