The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-12-20
Protection to COlored Men in
West Virginia.

teUigcncer and Clarksburg Telegraph. the
two ablest papers in the State, coucurring
in the following sentiments Of justice to
the negro:
"Amons other matters, it will be nc.
cessary for our Legislature at its ap-
preaching session to leSislate upon the
negro little. He is now free ind en-.
titled TO the rights Of property and .he
fruits of his labor the samc as the white
mau, aud in order to enable him to main :
tain his rights it is necessary that he
shouM bs ullos0ed to testify IN our courts
of justice.
There is no danger Of the rights Of
the white race being invaded by accord.
Ing to the negroes this simple act Of
Justice. In several Of the States the
Lroadest latitude is given to evidence
all the parties concerned in case being
permitted to testify, and the correctness
Of the testimony left for the judge and
Jury to determine, who in fact determine
in all cases. 49,
Let our Legislature enact law that
will permit the negro to defend aud
maintain his just rights. 1t is unneceS
sary to nurse old prejudices and keep
them warm" for the African is free, and
i, would be unjust to keep him fettersd
with disabilities that would throw him
upon the tender mHrcies Of those who
would tokc advantage Of his condition.
eve believe there is no further lcgis'
la,iou upon tho African needed. The
constitution drprivcs him Of exercising
the privilege Of the elective franchise,
and consequently there cun be no lrgis
lalion Gu that subject, andii there could,
there IS no necessity for it. The negro
can get along we'll enough, if he is made
secure in his rights Of property. 1t is
not the time to asitatc the question Of
negro suffrage"
Wo arc aware that there is great
prejudice in this State, and especially in
Kanawha County, against admitting the
negro to the rights Of citizenship-that
is, the right to labor and to receive and
protect himself in the fruits thereof; and
especially, it is thought inadmissiLle by
many ofour cilizens-who would boot at
the IDEA that they were afraid that the
negro would ever become in reality their
euual-that the colorcd man S evidence
should be received in Court against their
own.
This prejudice is relic Of the bar.
bar;sm Of slavery, and should be got rid
Of The negro has received his freedom,
out that freedom is mocksry if he has
not tie power to protect himself in his
liberties. If we wish him to be a good
citizen, We must make him feel his man.
hood. Ii does not follow that because
NC give him equal rights Of citizenship,
that this makes him our equal in the
sense oc those who cry Niger cquali
ty." We are not in favor Of such equal
ity-tkat is also a relic Of Slavery
When the negro becomes mHH, there
will be no more anal samation.
And as every community is free from
crime md vagrancy in proportion to lis
Intelligence, every thinking mind will
see at once that i. is not only our duty
but our interest to educate the negro.
1t is proven that he is willing to work,
md all we ask is 20 let him have
chance. The Int'iliyr"crr further says
Justice aud sound policy 20 together
in this matter. If We encourage this
class of persons to be energetic and in
iuStrioa$, by assuring them Of the fruits
Of their Industry, they will constitute an
clement Of prosperity aud strength. If
We do not, We may expect that they will
be yayabonds. Even as it is now. there
are relatively fewer black vasatonds
amcus US than white o%es, although the
latter possess every advantage with which
absolute equality before the law can en-
dow them.
Besides, let us consider that these
freedmen arc now citizcus Of the Uultcd
States. Our Constitution declares that
citizens Of the United States arc citizens
of the State If they reside in it. As.such
they have the same riiyh1s here as white
citizens. One Of those rights is pro;ec.
liuu in tie enjoyment Of the fruits Of
honest labor-the right to enforce con-
tracts aad To testify IN the courts Of justice.
Even the States that have been in rebel
lion are concedias these rights. How
long will West Virginia deny them ?
As to the privilege Of suffrage, We do
say that it ought now to be confer.
red upon colorcd citizens. We have
for some time deemed that this privilege
is held too cheap, aud are rather for cir
cumscritins than extending it. There
are two essential qualifications without
which it is impo'itic to confer it. One
is LOYALTY to the government under
which it is to be exercised, and the other
is intelligence; and where the aLsenee
of either can be ascer:aIned it ought to
be bar. The rebels lack the first Of