The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-01-19
THE LAW BLIND TO COLOR.

The rich man and the poor man stand alike
ON the same platform before the law, and are
amenable to the like penalties in this country.
That is right, and it would be anti Republican,
undemocratic, unjust and uncomfortable were
it otherwise. But in some portions of the
country this principle is utterly disregarded in
the case of poor men of dark complexion, and
the law is made convenient and irresistible
instrumentality for their oppression. Wild
beasts and venomous reptiles are treated with
greater lenity by the law, and regarded with
more favor by public opinion than poor man
who has the additional misfortune to inherit a
black skin.
Recent events in the South have somewhat
interfered with time honored laws and Gus
toms on this subject, and occasionally some
Of the devotees Of the faith that black
men have no rights that white men are bound
to respect, are brought mp with round
turn A case in point occurred in Kentucky,
where one of the old fogy gentry Of that an
cient commonwealth, over Jealous for the en-
forcement of "the Constitution as it was,
robbed him of his pistol, ri ct armis, and, as
he supposed, by virtue of the power invested
in him by the Constitution and the laws in
such case made and provided. The colored
individual, who happened to be discharged
soldier Of the United Stases, found no relief
in the Magistrates Court, but was fined two
dollars, in addition to the less of his pistol,
for his presumption in carrying such q
weapon 20 the disgust of the chivalrous Sc
cesh of Kentucky.
At this stage, the ex.soldier of the Union
appealed to the Freedmen's Court, in which,
we believe, Col. THoxAssoN, of Louisville,
presides. The Judge, at ell events, put an
entirely new complexion ON the case and de-
hvered himself as follows;
The faith of this great nation should not be
Knocked at.
The amendment TO the Constitution striking
slavery from existence, makes the plaintiff d
citizen of the United States, and as such heis
tation, which necessarily include the right oil
acquiring, holding and enjoying property.
Anything short of this would be fraud. ~.
The taking of the pistol from the plaintiff
was done under statute of the State that reads
follows:
"SEc. IL. Ifany negro shall keep or carry
. gun, or other deadly weapon, powder or
shot, the same may be seized by any free
white person, and upon due proof theresf, be
fore Justice of the Peace, it shall be forfeit.
ed and vested in the person seizing; and il
the negro offending be a slave, he shall, BY d
judgment of the Justice of the Peace, be pun
ished by stripes, not exceeding thirty nine
if a free negro, fined Eve dollars
This statute was enacted when slavery ex-
listed That curse no longer exists it belongs
to the things of yesterday, and with it should
60 all its appendages aud appurtenances, this
enactment with the rest. This legAlized rob
berry must cease.
1he most Illuminating condition for q people
supposing themselves to be free, TO occupy, il
to be taxed to pay military force to preserve
order and enforce justice. Such il the con-
dition OF the people of our State, and it must
eontinne until our Law makers conform % the
changed condition of the country. National
faith must bs observed. Christian duties
must be performed.
The parties agreeing, the pistol was restored
to the plaintiff, and the Court ordered that
the defendant pay the plaintiff two dollars-
which he had to pay for the con6scation and
costs Of this proceeding - al Of which was
done.
The Judge continued his remarks, saying
that he imposed no penalty upon the defendan
because he acted under the semblsnce Of law
but that it might not be out of place TO stat.
that If hereafter there should be any attempt
10 enforce this statute and complaint be made
the offender will be overtaken with retributivs
justice.
The Court, said the Judge, will take plea
snre in acting In concert with the city and
State authorities to enforce the statute aeains
concealed deadly weapons. 50