The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-27
XXI.

On April 10. 1865. Gen. Palmer discharged
n slave who had been arrested by a United
States officer, on the ground that the author
ity Of the master was not sufficient TO Justify
the arrest OF slave by an officer OF the United
States. Two days afterward he wrote to Col.
John VI. Harlan. in reply 10 n communication
concerning n similar case: " Will not your Leg
islature do something to comprehend the col
ored people within your laws. regulate the sub
ioct OF marriage. define tho rights Of husbands
and wives. and give them the means OF pro-
tectng themselves from outrage through the
medium OF your courts?" The appeal was vain.
Palmer continued TO arrest masters who beat
the wives Of colored soldiers. and when black
women and children whose husbands were not
soldiers. cane into camp. by his orders they
were received and cared for
On May 10 the Mayor OF Louisville and other
citizens sent the General letter. asking him to
enforce the Nagrant laws against the negroes
in the city, ms the number was SO great that
they were afraid OF pestilence Gen. Palmer
replied that the relation OF the negroes to the
State ought 10 Oe defined anew. with reference
toeNisting and not past facts. They must be
employment where II was 10 hc found. After
quoting the state laws toroldding them trans
portatlon. he said: "Nagrancy. as n crime is
voluntary idleness and pronigacy. The only
h6ae 36n6asSs 'nH Hg2nsi I lhem Are peyepg
and when the difficulties which clog the efforts
oil the race TO earn homes and broad are re-
moved discrimination will be possible. and the
really guilty can be punished. Now, such is
the uncertainty Of the status OF many that even
men see king lahorers dare not employ them.
Those who have been freed are told that when
Federal bayonets are withdrawn the State
Courts Will declare that Congress had no power
10 free them aud they will be remanied 10
slavery Alarmed nj this prospect. these help
less people flock TO this city for protection
They shall have II so long as command in this
department In conclusion, | beg 10 say that
American people. whether of European or Az
rlchn descent have their rights under the Con-
sttutl9n and the laws. and the military author
ity OF the United States will. in this department
claiming no authority To- do otherwise SO far as
possible protect all. and will cooperate with the
authorities OF the city Of Louisville in every
effort 10 promote the interests and preserve the
health OF all the inhabitants OF the city"
CT The Kentucky legislature refusing to act
Zen. Palmer provided measures OF relief He
issued an order requiring common carriers OF
passage 20 transport all colored peope pro-
vidrd with passes from certain United States
officers on reasonable terms. This order inn
mediatey relieved Louisville. Nearly 5000
days and spread over the country. looking for
work. II also gave rise to "A crop OF lawsuits
Brutus j. Clay. Kentucky member OF Con-
gress. sued the General 10 recover the value Of
slaves who went of by rail on passes. Gallo
way put negro with n pass of from the cars
and was imprisoned by the military authori-
tics. He brought suit Tor false mprisonment,
The damages in the various suits were laid az
$4,000 Worse than all. under Circuit Judge
.nund against Gen. Palmer under the laws of
kgGntucky, for aiding in the escape Of slaves.
Hancock nj New Orleans. he acknowledged the
supremacy of the civil 10 the military authority
HIS friends urged him to DEFY the authority Of
the court. and predicted his conviction and i'm
prisonment If he did not do So. The General
however, was q believer in State rights and
proved true 10 his convictions. In October
1863. he went before Judge Johnson who was
personally hostile 10 him and said he had come
To submit To his jurisdiction. He thought his
conduct WAS in accord with the laws both State
and Federal, and offered. II necessary In enter
INTO recogniznnce for his appearance trial
the Judge replied that his voluntary PROMISE
70 appear was sufficient Lawyers rushed To his
defence, and the Unonists were much excited
About Dec Alabama adopted the constitutional
amendment prohibiting slavery. This action
nlled the number OF States required To give that
amend mcut validity. When Gen. Palmer was
brought TO trial. Gen. Ward. his counsel insist
ed That, AS slavery had persisted all laws sus-
tanning II were null Judge johnson. taxing
thls view quashed the indictments. These pro-
caedlngs created great excitement among the
negroes. On Palmar's release he made them a
speech. telling them that they ought to thank
Judge johnson, a Kentucky Judge, who had
authorilatiVely declared them to be free They
followed his advice. and Johnson addressed
them A. length. assuring them OF their free
dom. Johnsons decision was offensive to the
unreconstructed Kentuckians. The Distric
Attorney carried the case To the Court of Ap-
pehls, ana Judge Robinson delivered a philip
ple declaring that the indictment was wrong
iully quashed. The District Attorney. however.
TOOK no steps to secure fresh indictments.