The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-07-03
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, /
June II. 1879.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA,
June II, 1879.
Messrs Parker ond others, Committee:
respectfully acknowledge the receipt OF
your letter OF this date. The question pro.
pounded by you as fright of your citizen
Ship involves All Issue which, though ably
discussed by the press and expounded by
some of our judges, has not yet been finally
determined by either State or Federal appel
late tribunal. 1t is not worth while for me
to repeat to you the lines of argument used
in the discussion of this question. You have
doubtless read them, and have drawn your
own conclusions. | am satisfied that the
following conclusions are properly deduced
from our statutes First, That no man has
the right to demand that he or any particular
class of men shall be put upon the jury list ;
Secondly, that the making of such lists is
left to the sound discretion of certain officials
designated by law; and thirdly, that on
making out such lists no man should be IN
cluded or excluded because of his color, the
main test being the possession of those moral
and intellectual qualifications needful to
make him conscientious and intelligent jul
TOR.
have INDUCED the hope that in the grad
uaI but certain elevation OF your race, in
duced by the moral and educational training
to which you have had such full access in the
last few years, there are many of our col0red
eli liens who are becoming thoroughly quail
fled to discharge all the duties OF citizenship;
and that gradually they would be summoned
equally with white men, to discharge all the
duties that may be demanded CT them. In
recognition of that much desired improve
ment of the race, selected carly this year
for jury service in criminal causes against
cOlored men number OF colored men whom
thought qualified for such duty and for
several years past have offered colored iu-
ries to colored prisoners on trial, but in
every case the offer has been declined. 1t
was only few days ago that, as acting Judge
Of Louisa county, approved, at the sugges-
ton OF the Board of Supervisors, (all OF whom
are white citizens) the appointment OF col
Ored man to one of the most responsible Of
fees in that county, that of County Sup erin
rendent of the Poor. These facts must salts
fly you that have always regarded your race
with at least kind feelings; and | know from
ten years experience on the bench that the
white people of Albemarle have in the main
dealt as jurors most justly and mercifully
with your race. and am certain that no col
ored person has ever been punished in the
County Court of Albemarle who was moi
guilty, whilst some have been acquitted who
SuOuIO Uhtc uctI puulSuCu. iS3 tiiCiC-
fore, no ground upon which you can rest
reasonable complaint that justice has not
been fully awarded to your race by the courts
and juries Of Albemarle.
For the same reason that you ask for col
ored jurymen, you may with equal force de-
mand colored magistrates and colored judges
in fact two full sets of State and county Off
cials, from the Governor down to the lowest
district officer. This would be carrying out
your line of reasoning to its legitimate result.
and yet as sane men you could not expect
such concession from the white people who
control this State, nor for your own sakes
should you desire such system as would
thus draw deeper the color line and even
tually result in complete disaster to your
race. 1 really think that the imprudent eff
forts to force this question Of mixed juries
by the power of federal courts has done much
evil to your people. Your demand, as a
right for colored jures is i'll advised. The
question is one, as have said, that should
be left to the sound discretion of intelligent
and conscientious officers, who will, in the
fulness of time and with a proper regard for
the prejudices of both races, faithfully adapt
our political system to the new order of civil
affairs, and thus slowly but smoothly obite-
rate every trace of the color line in all mat
tiers Of civil rights and civil duties. will
aid you in accomplishing this result SO far as
my private and official acts can go, that we
may thus secure your true interests and pro.
mote peace, harmony and entire reconcilia-
ton between your race and your white fell
low-citizens. And will, when occasion oc-
ours and suitable men are found, give you
colored iuries for the trial Of causes in which
colored men are interested.
I believe there are colored men in Abe
marie who will make excellent jurymen.-
But, allow me to say in conclusion. that
judging from the tone and statements of your
letter, which hope was heedlessly express
ed, am Of opinion that | would not be JUS
titled in placing your names on the general
list OF fair and impartial jurors, No man,
whether white or black, is fit to be placed on
the jury list, nor shall any such be drawn so
long as am County Judge, who regards
any portion of his fellow citizens as '.aliens
in race, color, interests and feelings; You
will have to get rid of such preiudices and
erroneous views before you can hope to as
sert any reasonable claim to serve as ''impar-
tial jurymen" in passing upon the rights of
life, liberty and property of your white
'salien'' fellow-citizens.
vo,re En- TorrNy