Freed persons; Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877); Southern States -- Politics and government -- 1865-1950
So far as the question of admitting the testimony of negroes into our
courts was concerned, he expressed no opinion upon it, as a separate
question. He had as many prejudices as other southern men. But in his
public acts he had always endeavored to discard prejudice. He looked to
the happiness and welfare of the people. But there was one phase of the
negro testimony question which was settled. The negro was already regarded
as a competent witness. He alluded to the cases which, by an act of
Congress, came under the jurisdiction of the Freedmen's Bureau. The
question was not whether their testimony should be received or not. It was
already received. The question was whether, in receiving it, it shall be
received before our own civil magistrates or juries, or before the provost
marshals of the Freedmen's Bureau. He had no hesitation in expressing
himself in favor of the former. He was opposed to all systems of
repudiation, whether styled stay laws, bankrupt laws, or insolvent acts,
and in general was in favor of placing Mississippi in the front rank of
States. He desired to see our congressmen admitted at the next session,
and to that end would do all in his power to promote the policy of
President Johnson for the rehabilitation which it was understood was the
ultimatum. His remarks, which were exceedingly well received, were
continued for fifteen or twenty minutes, at the close of which he
announced himself ready to meet his competitor, whom he spoke of in high
terms, at any time to discuss the momentous issues devolving upon the next
legislature.
No. 15.
_To the voters of the sixth judicial district, composed of the counties of
Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Noxubee, Neshoba, Kemper, and Winston_:
Until the spring of 1861 I was a citizen of Kentucky, but my native State
having elected to abide by the fortunes of the Union in the tremendous
struggle that has lately terminated, while all my sympathies and instincts
bound me to the southern people, I assumed new relations so far as
citizenship was concerned, and for the last three years have been a
resident of Mississippi. I entered the army as a private soldier, and
until the end of the conflict sustained, what I knew in the beginning to
be, a desperate and doubtful cause. I went down in battle, never to rise
up again a sound man, upon the frontier of this broad abounding land of
yours. I therefore cannot feel that I am an alien in your midst, and, with
something of confidence as to the result, appeal to you for your suffrages
for the office of district attorney. I am as fully identified with the
interests of Mississippi as it is possible for any one to be, and in my
humble way, will strive as earnestly as any one to restore her lost
franchises and lost prosperity. In former years I held in Kentucky a
position similar to the one I now seek at your hands, and I hope that I
violate no rule of propriety in saying that I deem myself equal to its
duties and responsibilities.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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