{"character_count": 2588, "word_count": 473, "ccnet_language_score": [0.9710999727249146], "ccnet_perplexity": [1358.199951171875], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}
 does the Secretary know ths2 But it is a rule of law as well as of common sense, that irrelevant testimony shall not be ad. nitted, for there is no calculating what un- due bias it may exert on the minds of the jurors-and if admitted, 1t is good cause for an appellate jurisdiction to set aside the decesion. But all this has nothing to do with the main point Of the merits of the decision, so far as relates to Lieut. Hooe, we know nothing, and they have nothing to do with the question re are discussing- i Q. the admissibility of negro testimony a. gainst white men This is the great matter

 this ii is which does violence to the feel. ings of the people, and which the Secreta. " of the Navy and the President have ap. proved. The 4th excuse is for the Presi- dent, and is full of qubbling, e la nsode h,s associate, Poinsett It is as follows:

 1t is not deemed necessary to go fur ther into this subject than merely to add, that the President had nothing to do with the Court or its proceedings. The judg- lnent of the Court was approved, and car Tied into effect by the order of this De- partment--thc approval or'op;nioa of any higher power Was not necessary"

 A$c OIlS SuPPUScu tue TFeS1UeNt NdO any thing to do with 'the Court or it's proceed ings,' which were held. according to the Secretary,7 "on board U. S Ship of War in the Bay of Pensacola" But he had something to do with them afterwards at Washington. The facts are these: The proceedings were sent to Washington: they were endorsed by the Secretary;

 J. K PAuLDINo"

 APPROVED,

 Lieut. Hooe then appealed from the de- rlslon of the Court and the approval of the Secretary, to the President In his me- snoflal to that high Functionary, he expres, iy complained of the iliegality of the ne gro testimony, and asked the eseecial at. tentlon of the President to it. The Presi- dent examined the record and memorial, and returned the same to the Navy De partment with the following endorse ment:

 THE PRESIDENT FINDS MOTH. ING IN THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF LIUET. HOOE WHICH REQUIRES HIS INTERFER, ENCE. NJ V Rn

 This leaves no loop-holes for escape Out of his own mouth he is condemned But we will do the President the justice to say, his conduct n this particular is con- slstent with his past life, and in perfect keeping with his advocacy of Free Negro S9troge. He who had maintained the fiji. ness of the African race to exercise the highest rights of freeman, that of electiny Legislators and rulers, could not consis. tently object to their competency as wit nesses before civil and military tribu. | nals