The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-06
A Question of Color.
SCENE IN A PHILADELPHIA CoURT-A
JUROR REFUSES TO SERVE BE-
CAUSE ooLoRED MEN ARE
EMPANELLED.

Notwithstanding the horrors of four
years bloody war Notwithstanding the
lessons taught the nation by the almost to-
tai cessation of all business interest for
years after the war ended notwithstand-
ing the emancipation proclamation and the
passage OF the fifteenth amendment, there
are still some men in this community whose
eyes have not yet been opened sufficiently
wide for them to see the brilliant light of
freedom and equality.
Thomas Cullen, residing in the southern
portion of the city, and said to be the pro-
prietor of the Keystone skating park, is
still thoroughly imbued with the old DEM
ocratic idea of the war of the races, and
seems to have forgotten or never to have
known what the nation has passed through
since 1861.
The recent history of our courts here in
Philadelphia has given abundant evidence
OF the fact that the distinction on account
OF color has become thing of the past.
Colored men have been empanneled on
several occasions. and have even served in
the jury-box; in fact, one is now occupy
ing that position in the Church case now
being heard in the Nisi Prius Court before
Judge Williams.
But Thomas never heard Of it, and being
called as iuryman in the Court of Com
mon Pleas yesterday, he thought he would
show Judge Ludlow how much he knew,
but unfortunately only succeeded in show
ing how little he knew--in being fined for
contempt of court and getting his name
into the newspapers.
The clerk (Mr. Hancock) was about to
call jury to the box for the trial of the
case, when Cullen stepped to the bar and
exclaimed:
"You needn't call me, for l wont
servep
Judge Ludlow. Why, what's the mat
ter?
Juror.-Well, | won't serve; isn't that
matter enough?
Judge Ludlow.-Then I fine you 5000,
and order you into custody until the fine
is paid.
Juror.-All right; get the money!
Judge Ludlow.-Take him into GUS
tody
Juror.-All right Take me to prison |
I'll rot therel
Judge Ludlow am sorry to see such
an exhibition as this ia court of Justice.
While it is painful to me to inhct punish
ment upon you, it is necessary to teach
you where you are, and what duty you
owe. l shall be compelled to imprison
you until the fine is paid.
Juror-Well, won't serve on the Jury
with a "nigger I"
Judge Ludlow-You must understand,
sir, that the law of the land has made the
colored man your equal in the jury-box,
and while you may not be pleased with it,
you must, with me, obey the law. / shall
now order you into custody until you pay
the fine, and | shall also impose an addi-
tional fiDe of 5000 every time you refuse
to serve.
The juror was then taken into custody.
The episode created considerable excite
ment for a time, and occasioned great
deal OF comment. as this was the first in
stance in which any opposition had been
met with.
The juror will probably learn, after he
has paid his fine, that white VS.. black, ex-
cept in game of chess, is an idea that was
exploded when Lee surrendered at Appo-
mattox courthouse.
There are three colored men in the pre-
sent panel, but it is not likely, after the
lesson OF yesterday promptly taught by
Judge Ludlow, that any further difficulty
will take place.-Press.
[Judge Ludlow is staunch Democrat,
and deserves credit for his manly support
of a law OF the land.