New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-02-27
Letter from virginia.
RICHMOND. February 10,


sibitcr Of our misfortunes, and that he who
has the patience to wait will be abundantly
rewarded thereby. We have, however, a
striking illustration Of an exception TO that
rule in the stubborn fallibility of the Walker
party Of Virginia, in their continued injustice
to the colored people, in which time works no
change. Our county and city judges are all
Democratic appolntees, and they have neither
the wish nor inclination to keep faith with
either the State or Federal Constitution. The
Legislature Of 1871 vested these judges and
Commonwealth attorneys with the power OF
selecting all jur.es, and, Notwithstanding the
changed condition Of the people, they adhere
strictly TO the old code Of 1860 in the pre-
misses and that is, twenty persons for every
thousand Inhabitants shall be drawn in such
county, &c, provided that in no case shall
the list include less number than fifty per-
sons, and they are to be white. The con-
stitution adopted in 1869, under which the
State was admitted, says all persons entitled
TO vote and hold office shall be eligible to sit
as Jurors. But this right is as rigidly denied
TO colored men now as it was when slavery
ruled in the South! More than three hun
dred colored persons are yearly sent to the
penitentiary in this State by these (white)
lures, and under the law Governor Walker
hires them out to the contractors of public
works, in and out Of the State, from the labor
Of whom our Democratic manipulators derive
q considerable revenue. Five colored to one
white person are convicted and sent to prison
by the Richmond Hastings Court. But it is
"A notorious fact no colored man has yet been
drawn there on any jury, and the time will
never come when the renTc .fdcids shall in
clude colored men, unless change by popu-
lar vote be made in our State government
this fall. The old slave oligarchy dies hard,
and it exposes in every attempted cOnstruc-
ton Of the law, when the negro is party,
the wicked and degrading influence that
slavery had upon the vulgar class. Nothing
but the growth and incubation Of Republican
principles will put an end to this wanton de-
spoliation Of the constitutional rights Of the
people. No honest-minded citizen can, for
men from the juries, when so many of that
class are interested, in any other light than
that it is fragrant injustice, too intolerable
to be borne, and would not, under and pre-
text whatever, be justified only in barbar-
Gus country.
But We are delayed in many things here
because Of our own misunderstanding. The
colored people of Richmond have ever been
abundantly cursed with what the good book
calls blind and terribly selfish leaders, who
hinder and embarrass our transition from
slavery to a perfect citizenship, and all will
admit that time has done but little in teach
ing our people here wisdom out of the past.
Where men possess no ideas extending be-
yond their own existence when their intel
lectual horizon is bounded in self; if they
are still delivered up to their own passions
and their own wills; if they have not among
them a certain number of notions and senti-
ments common to them all, around which
they may all rally, it is clear that they cam
not, without some self-controlling influence,
form a perfect organization and, without
this, each individual will be a principle of
agitation and dissolution in the social system
OF which he forms part. And unfortunately
there are some men who know exactly when
and how to take advantage of those of our
people so situated. 1t is wicked and per-
nicious procedure for gentlemen who, when
they want to obtain office, to seek it by sur
reptitiously plunging the colored people of
the community into broils among themselves.
1t is an old trick that has often worked we'll
in Richmond for the inventor; but the last
attempt, few days ago, spoiled the origina-
tors plans, and he will now have to seek
Endorsement for the Richmond post office by
other and more honorable means.
We had a catalogue Of disasters to human
life and limb last year, some of which were
OF the most distressing character. This year
has already opened its chapter with the loss
oil lie On the James river. 1t seems that q
number of the hands employed on the free
bridge being built between this CITY and
Manchester have been in the habit of pass.
ing to and from their work in boats. Abou,
seven o'clock on the 18th instant a numbe,
Of them went to the river, as usual, to eros.
over, but, seeing the swollen and angry con
dition of the waters, most Of them gave VI
all idea Of attempting to cross in that way
and walked over Mayo's bridge. A Mr.
Indon and Phil. Hampton. (colored,) how
ever, started over, and, after proceeding
short distance, the boat was struck by thu
current, and, becoming unmanageable, 500,
capsized, sweeping the occupants down tn,
mad, roaring torrent, dashing them agains
the rocks which lie in the bed of the river a
this point, and soon taking them under til
chilly waves. Those on shore could Sc
their desperate struggles for life and hea
the heart-piercing cries for help, but wer
unable to render any aid whatever. Tn
poor fellows were soon lost to view.
About eleven O'Clock one Of the spans Q
the bridge was washed away by the risin
waters Of the river, carrying with it ten Q
thirteen workmen who were at work there
five Of whom were drowned.
One Of our wealthest and most enterpris
ing colored citizens, Mr.. John Adams, die
a few days ago, leaving legacy Of s40, 90
10 his legatees. REvILo.