The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-09-13
Tbr the LEJis DC Lais3ligeu
Negro Testimony.

The reasons inducing the Constitutional Convention to
provide Tor the admission OF negroes to testify until 9TH
erwise directed by the Legislature oviuu, enough
The Civil Rights bill enacted by Congress processes to
confer this right, well in the State Courts as in the
Federal Wherever its provisions dsrcgaldcd negro
suiluTs can remove their Il Federal court and
put their white adversary Ia the expense and trouble in
VOWED in remote forum This has lccn done frequently
IN other parts OF the State and twice. within our knuwi-
edge. in this county.
Some OF the state courts in Baltimore and some in
the counties recognize the authority of the Con-
gcSs and admit negroes to testify Others refuse The
Judges who will not yield are arrested and indicted the
L. D Courts, subjected to great annoyance, and great
expense which the Legislature is called upon to re-
plhe ana 10 costs OF defence which the state is called
upon 10 pay.
Whilst this conflict between State and Federal laws
enreS these Judges must violate their official oatls or
submit to continued persecution by the L. s. authorities,
or ny personal or political enemies, who invoke this
agency.
With this divided judicial opinion, our ever yigilant
enemies say the question is ut least doubtful, and
Judges are cuntuacious and rcbclios in not 0Lcyinr
the law, until pronounced unconstitutional.
Nould ii have hceh wise to subject them be so con-
tinuay harassed and mpcdcd, and citizens TO be
thus dragged from their homes to Federal tribunal
Every the strong tendency in Congress to in
wade tho domestic government OF Maryland. and to seize
every prctcncc TO justify such Entertainments. This de-
MAJ Is used ~ such srhemerS to shnwat once rebcious
tendency III the Slate and the injustice it i'rts On the
negro, and to stimulate prejudice and agitation
The tendency of our legislation has been admit be-
fore the jury all kinds of testimony, and let that body
determine how much is worth. Jurics know the mora.
status OF the negro and will not give his testimony nm
due weight; so that practically, substantial injury
results lie is heard and believed only so far as lie is
worthy of belief
The legal reasons for exclusion passed away with sla
very The moral unncss of the negro goes TO his cred
ibllity, exactly the reputation of faschood in the
white does not keep him from the witness stand, but
Juslhes jury in rejecting his statements.
The Radicals pretend that this relaxation of old rules
VIII tend to negro suffrage. mere pretcnCc, for they
are Stratning every nerve to bring this about Wives
are now received rs witnesses where their husbands
concerned. 1t gives no claim to female suffrage. Chill
drcn tcStiy-muSt they necessarily voter
On the tlp tirmCst ground on vlirl,
suffrage can bc resisted is the alpabc fact that the
state having granted every privilege necessary for his
protection having conceded all that the rational friends
OF the negro can make show of rea for demanding.
when she denies suffrage she appeal to the common
sense and the moral sense of mankind maintain that
such denial is based on reason and moi prejudice;
justice moi caprice consideration of The best interests
OF the State, and moi on passion hatred i'll will.
We can let the negro testify because our iurics can ap-
precae and measure his fitness, and temper the effects of
his want of culture.
We cannot LEI the negro vote, because the ballot
cannot he qualified He is not entitled 10 this highest
right OF our citizens and therefore he shall have it,
These considerations certainly have enough force to
prevent utter condemnation of ain experiment. which the
present crisis seemed 10 demand aud which the Lcgisla-
lure can effect mlly end, if experience does demon
stIUtc its wisdom.