Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1870-05-28
Tho FiFss ViFdles Of Sos
EqHniity Law.
[Froin the Y.O Time. ]

[From the y. o. Times
The jury which sat in the ease
brought against Col. Dnmontei!,
under the social equality act, was
a rather proniscuOus and heteru
geneous tribunal. 1t was com
posed of representatives Of nearly
all the races, which make up our
very mixed and diverse pOpula
ton. There were Irishmen, Ger
mans, Creoles, Spaniards and col
ored citizens OF African descent
and American birth. A glimpse
and audience Of their proceedings
after they had retired 10 their con
sultatiom room having been per
haps irregalarly or accidentally
obtained, was communicated to
us, and, as tlte developments are
interesting as Indicative Of popular
opinion on an exciting question,
We give them as conveyed TO US.
OF course we need not say that
the jury was, from the beginning
seriously and irreconcilably diyid-
ed on the main question. But
what is remarkable, is that the
most decided champion Of the op-
ponents Of the social equality bill,
was a full-blOoded and vigorous
African llow-citizen, who in turn
tloored each of his aAyersaries BY
the following unaAswerble argu-
ment
Now gentlemen, this law, if it
is a law, is all nonsense. | am for
letting every man choose his own
company, and for keeping out OF
his house and company any people
he don't care to 'sociate WITH
S'pose, now, give a ball and in
vito my cOlored lady friends, /
I doh'5 want any white men 10 como
there and take my colOred ladies
away and | don't intend to 'trude
in the gatherings OF white people.
It's not geuteel, according to my
notions, to 20 aBywhar whar you
aint invited and waRtedP
! 1t was in vain that certain white
Radicals, on the jury argued with
/ their cololed brother OH the rights
OF all men, their equality before
| the law, and his duty, to admit
| into his company and the society
of lis colored lady hieilds his
white friends, who eply desired TO
avail themselves Of their cOnstitu.
tional rights. Hot and furious
/ grew the discussion, which was
somewhat stimulated and aggra-
4 yated by The suggestions and in
terpolations Of a juror OF pure Tel
tic blood, who appeared to be III
his element in setting his fellow
Jurors by the ears, whilst he look
ed smilingly on, declaring that he
had long since made up his mind,
| and was ready to tell them what
it was when the other eleven had
agreed upon their verdict. This
proposition did not tend to enlight~
en- and guide the others to a salts
factory result. And after a long
and violent discussion, it was at
last agreed 10 take the opinion OF
quiet, phlegnlatic, reticent juror
of the Teuton race. His decision
was worthy OF, old wOnter Won
Twiiler himself. 1t wasas follows:
"Gentlemen, | hear yen all. One
says we must go on the law-an-
other SAYS On the evidence, and
another on tile justice. Now If
the lawyers would not bother US
SO, and let us know where was the
law, the evidence or the Justice
we might fnd the verdict /; but un~
der the circumstances, the only
verdict We can find is "that We
can't agree" And accordingly
such was the Ending Of the intelll-
gent jury, upon whom the learned
= lawyers and iudge had been for
: two days !ayishing their learning
and eloquencc.