The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-11-07
JUSTICE HARLAN.
His Civil Rights Views in 1866.
Not Exactly the Republican Moses the Col
Ored Race VIII Tie to-AnOther
Chapter in the Republican
JambOree.
LFrankfort lKy.l Yeoman. oct. 2al

Frankfort (ky.l Woman, Oct %
Before Mr. Justice Harlan prepares his dis
senting opinion upon the Civil Rights act,
il will be we'll for him to refresh his memory
upon all points connected with that ques-
ton. We therefore reproduce for his benefit
the following resolutio passed at a mass
meeting held in the city OF Frankfort, on the
26th day of February, 1866, Immediately
after the vete of the Freedmen's Bureau
measure by President Andrew Johnson.
The Committee on Resolutions at this
meeting was composed of the following gen.
tlemen:
6 B. Churchill,
JOHN NJ. HARLAN.
Thomas y. Lindsey,
L. l. NanNinkle,
J. Mason Grown.
Andrew J. James,
John ROdman.
The resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted, are said to have been written by Mr..
Justice Harlan, who, after their passage,
made a speech heartily endorsing them.
We now respectfully ask his attention to
all the resolutions, but more especially to the
fourth:
Whereas The people OF the United States have
been saved from one OF the greatest ciamitieS that
ever threatened any Nation. through the frmneSs
aud craftsmanship OF the President; and whereas.
the Freedmen's Bureau bill would have been sub
versiye Of the liberties and best interests OF the
people OF Kentucky; therefore.
Resolved by the citizens of Franklin County in
Convention assem- bled. That in yetotng the mon.
strOuS. tyrann,cal ana unconstitutional Freed
mems Bureau bill, lately passed by the Con gress OF
the United States, the President has justly earned
for himself the unieigned gratitude of his country
men. and has signally demonstrated, not only his
ability as statesman, but also in an eminent de-
gree inst claim to high order OF patriotism ana
moral courage, and We hail this noble act giving
promise of brighter future.
Resolved, That the taxation OF people and
legislation for them, when at the same time they
are denied representation, is an outrage is incom
patible with the acknowledged principles al free
government, was resisted by our forefathers when
attempted by the British Government, and which
none but tyrdntS now or heretofore have attempted
to justify.
Resolved. That the states alone have the right
70 regulate by law, each for itself, without inter
ference or question by sister State. or by the
Federal Government. the subject of suffrage: and
any attempt by the Federal government 10
abridee or Interfere with such right is wholly
warranted by the Constitution OF the United
States, and subversiye OF our system OF govern
ment
Resolved, That each State has the exclusive
right 10 tx and regulate by law the political and
civil status OF its citizens and any attempt by the
Federal Government to interfere with this right of
the States by specaI legislation in favor OF or
against any class race, or nationality in the states
respectively, is the exercise OF power without con-
Siitntiona warrant, aud dangerous TO the liberties
OF the people.
Resolved. That the eighteen Senator'S who sus-
tanned the President, and contributed TO the over
throw OF the odlous and unconstitutional Freed
mems Bureau Dill ars each entitled TO the graf
itude OF TIE country, and have shown themselves
worthy OF the Office the duties of which they have
SO nObly and honOrdbly discharged.
esolved. That it is the duty OF the people of
this country who have any regard for free govern
ment. ana who are attached to the system aud
principles devised and adopted by our iilustriOus
and patriotic forefathers, and handed down to US
by them, 10 sustain ana uphold President Johnson
in his struggle 10 resist the revolutionary measures
of the Radicals both in and out Oh Congress.
Resolved, That the people of Kentucky entertain
no feeling OF hostility or unkindness toward the
cOlOred population OF the State: whatever grounds
OF complaint they may have for the invasion of
their rights OF property IN their former slaves by
the Federal authorities, they hare none against
the negroes for accepting the freedom secured TO
them by agencies over which they had no control;
but the contrary disposition has
been clearly shown by their former masters
and others to treat them kindly, and
10 deal with them justly, and il cases to the
traTy can be shown, they are very few, and
exceptions to the prevailing rule, and redress
be had without sale denial in the State Courts;
that there is a disposition upon the part OF the
whites almost universal to secure To the black
population, by law. full and ample protection of
all their civil rights of personal property. which
has already substantially been done; but we pro-
test, both upon grounds OF policy and principle,
against any interference upon this subject by the
Federal Government, or by any OF the agencies
thereof, and we declare in our opinion that the
presence of the Freemen's Bureau in this State is
only calculated to engender hostility between the
two races and materially TO injure the interests OF
both.