The New York herald., 1869-02-20


ships register This matter Ii said TO be under
discussion by the Custom House authorities.
CIVIL RIGHTS IN VIRGINIA.
Robert Stevens (Segro) W. The Fredericlss-
burg Railroad C0mpany-6ixtcon Hundred
Dollars Damages Awnrdcd-CharRc Of Judge
Underw0od-Iibcl ON tho States Of New
York and Pennsylvania-Corrupt Morals
and Vices Of yirsinians-The Clergy De-
clarod DrunkHrds.
RICHMOND, Feb. II, 1862
Though nearly two years have passed few have
forgotten the charge OF Judge Underwood to the
Grand Jury at the opening Of tne United States Cir
cult Court here, in which he impugncd the honor
and virtue OF the women Of Virginia, and which ls
made memorable by its very infamy. storm Of
Indignation swept the State then, and from every
section of the country came the most unmeasured
denuncation OF the sander and It's author, who still
dsgraces the bench that is frequently graced by the
Chief Justice OF the United States So national and
general was the condemnation called forth by that
charge that no one believed Underwood would ever
again resort to calnmny; but to-day he fairly
eclipsed himself in his denuncatons not only OF the
people of Virginia, but also those Of New York
and Pennsylvania. The occasion was the
case Of q colored man named Robert Stevens,
who sued the Fredericksburg Railroad Com
pany. under the Civil Rights act for rfuse-
ing to allow his wife to ride In a first class car
when she had paid for ticket that guaranteed that
privilege now 80 much sought after by the new cti-
zens and citzenesses. This case had long been fos-
tered by the Judge, opportunity to enectually
break down the barriers that excluded the negro
from participation In all the privileges to which he
was entitled under the Civil Rights act In Virginia,
and one that was o marked stride towards that So
cial equality which is OF the greatest and CHIEF
aims OF the blacks. He wanted also to vent hts
spleen upon the people, who were forced to submit
to his judicial rule by eirectually wounding their
feelings, which he so well knows how to do.
But in his eagerness to do this he transcribed his
bounds and overleaped the unfortunate virginians
on whom his presence is inflicted by taking in the
people OF New York and Pennsylvania, though the
former Ii his native State, for he came from Her.
kilner county,
The plainsfr laid his damages at $1,000. alleging
that he had purchased for his wife first class ticket
from Baltimore TO Charleston, 8. c.: tnat she
went through uninterrupted until arriving at
% the ladies' car she was arrested By the a coa
ductor, refused admittance and desired to take
seat in the smoking car This she demurled
car. The train now began To move, the woman re-
naming on the platform holding firmly to the Iron
railing, and upon beng informed by the conductor
tnat sne could not be allowed TO stay there
again positively refused to enter any other but the
ladies' car. Ffading remonstrance or the more gen.
tie mode OF persuasion unavatling, the conductor
then ordered two OF the colored brakesmen TO carry
her forclbly into the smoking car, which they did,
by the legs. once within the car the door was
locked and she was kept coaaned tii her
I IN ns S where sne at ,o once
ferred her 10 Governor Wells, then legal practi-
toner In his court Suit was at once instituted and
the came up to-day the above facts being sub
stantaly elected An able defence was made by the
counsel OF the railroad company who cited the deci
case Of the Westchester and Philadelphla Railroad
Company vs. Meyers, Penn. Rep, vol. o5, page 20a.
Argument being closed the Court addressed the
jury, which was composed equally OF six white men
modern Jeirrey. lie FUZZY reviewed the facts
as above dwelling particularly upon the tndgnites
offered the lady and always emphasizing the word
''ady," which was intended TO have more than usual
weight with the colorod jurors lie believed that Ia
this republican country such foul treatment Of
colored persons by their former masters and mis-
tresses could rot be tolerated. All distinction must
be done away with on account Of color. lt was
nothing more Than relic Of the barbarisn OF that
cursed slavery which mad been a foul stain upon the
escutcheon OF the country for over two hundred
Years, and which had long degraded and
debased humanity. Here was respectable and In
deed remarkably intelligent colored lady brutally
seized. when demanding nothing but what Hhe was
entitled 60, by two strong and forced into car,
which was devoted exclusively to smokers, drunk
ards and blackguards. Humanity and cvii1ation re-
voted al such barbar0us treatment. Even IN those
sinks OF iniquiIy, New York and Pennsylvania, such
distinctions would be Done away with, ana they
and good VIII Of the Southern slave aristocrats.
This i was that brought this great and free country
into contempt among all the civilized and great ma
tons OF Europe and the world. All social barriers
must be stricken down before the colored man VIII
be In the ul possession and enjoyment o those rights
which as a human being be IL entitled TO. botn by
the laws OF God and man. Poor, old, beloved vir-
gnia was now an Illustration OF the well established
fact that wrong-doers In the end suffer more from
the effect OF The wrongs than those upon whom their
infection was intended. The low and miserable
prejudces OF the slave arstocracy had been too long
and dlsgracclully exhibited by the people or this
community. Richmond mad become famous Tor Its
degradation, corrupt morals, rotenness and drunk
ennsss which deplosable set or vices were SO
extensive aud rarnihed as to pervade every
class Of society. Even the pulpit IL disgraced
by drunkards and !. adherents OF the rouen
the most sincere qualification that an opportunity Is
ut last afforded 10 eIcctualy check anu Tebuke sucn
Righteousness and corruption. Horrors innumerapIe
had already resulted from these vices, whlch were
the offspring OF the foul institution OF slavery ana
speedy check 10 them was needed. IL ~ world
practcablc because Of these petty. miserable forms
OF slave aristocTacy and their CONSTANT exhiDilion
before the world by the people o. slieinis. @ @Ihey
must be and crushed out before the State
could possibly assume honorable position IN the
eyes oi the civilized world. such verdict should
be rendered In the case under consideration as
would be q lasting warning and example for those
cyll-nlinded aud evil-disposed persons who rccog-
nzed any distinction OF race OF c9ior. nere ,,e
bench and read the following verses from the second
chapter OF James in support Of his iestlmony:-
Jesus Christ, the glory OF Cod with respect Of per-
sons fifor, II there come unto your assembly man
with gold ring, IN goodly apparel, and there come
In also n poor man In vile TaInent, and ye have re-
spect 70 him that wearoth the gay clothing,
and say unto him. SIT thou here In . good
place and say unto the poor stand thou
there or sic here under my footstooi;
are We not then partial In yourselves aud ye be-
come iudres OF evil thoughtss Hearken, my be-
loved brethren. Hath not God chosen the poor OF
this world, rich In faith aud heirs OF the Kngdom
which he hath promised ~ them that love himy But
spect or persons ye commit sin and are convinced
oi the law as transgressorSn
After reading the verses the Judge closed his
charge by assuring the jury that upon them rested
the responsible duty Of making public corporations