The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-04-09

MEETING LAST NIGHT AT ODD FELLOWS
HALL-ADDREssEs DELIVERED AND REs0LU-
TONS ADOPTED.
A largely-attended meeting Of colored
people was held last night at Odd.Feliows'
Hall to consider the Riyes matter, now be-
fore The Supreme Court OF the United
States, involving the question Of negro
jurors.
Mr.. John Oliver presided; and after
speeches by Regs. W. Fl. Brooks and w. 3.
Derrick and Z. p. Brooks, the following re-
solutions were unanimously adopted:
Whereas the primary object OF govern
ment is the protection Of persons and pro-
perty, which can only be secured by Just
and impartial administration OF the laws;
and whereas the ancient method OF trial by
jury has been adopted in this Republic as
the most certain, speedy, and satisfactory
means Of accomplishing that object, being
guaranteed to every citizen by the Consti-
tuition OF the United States and OF the seve-
raj States, and described by Blackstone as
'' the unanimous suffrage OF twelve OF
equals and neighbors ind;derently chosen,
and superior to all suspicion -; and whereas
it is wcll-kuown fact that in Virginia ju-
r0rS arc drawn from one class Of citizens only,
while others are Systematically and design
edy excluded from the panels, and that
public attention has been drawn to this fact
by the action Of Judge Alexander Rives, OF
the District Court OF the United States for
the Western District oil Virginia, in which
lie asserted and sustained the right Of CO.
lored citizens 10 lie represented in the Jury
box in 4 case there pending in the Gil cult
Court for the county OF Patricll-a case hat
combines and exhibits the prejudice. titus
- In
attempt to do calculated wrong to coIcred
citizens, and deprive them not Only OF the
benefits but the protection Of the law, and
deserves to be characterized as an inhuran,
cruel, aud wicked oppression that his
brought reproach and contempt upon the
administration of justice IN Virginia.; and
whereas VIC, the colored citizens OF Rich
monl, feel the effects OF this deliberate dis
criminaiion against us on account Of our
color. and every day sullcr from il III our
persons and property: therefore be it
ReSO[red, That the manner in which the
law is administered in Virginia with respect
10 the system OF trial By IN impai tial Jury
is unjust TO the colorcd citizens OF virginia,
bcin. partial and pTO>c!iptivc and destruc-
tive or the true interests Of al. classes Of
citizens.
,. That we demand representation in
the iury-boX in consequence and in con-
formity with our citizenship. the nature and
conditions CT which are SET forth in the Con-
stituton of this State and in the fourteenth
amendment OF the Constitution OF the
United States.
g. That in this Com i: :onwralth large class
of citizens are purposciy excluded from tie
Jury on account OF their color. and By q
system OF drawing all GENRES from the
rcu;stIatinn-lsts OF white voters, provided
and especially arranged for that purpose
which is the most complete aud carefully
panrcd method for dcpriyinG negroes OF
! the equal protection CT lhe laws.
4. That the colored people Of Virginia
while entertaining the most cordial feeling,
OF respect and friendship for those in whose
hands the administration OF the law rests
do nevertheless most sOIcmnly and with al
tie earncstness OF which they are capable
protest in the name OF justice, and law, ant
| human rights, and fair dealing against tht
exclusion from serving aS jurors in t!i
State.
5. That we suffer much undeScrvcd dis
advantage and injustice, both in the protcc
ton OF our liberties and our possessions. b,
the system OF placing none but white cItl
Zens on iures.
6. That this discrimination is in contra
yention OF the supreme law OF the land a
set forth in the Constitution OF the United
States, and IN direct violation Of the sriri
OF the organic law Of this Commonwealth
and cannot be justified or defended on an,
theory OF right and civil equality.
!. That the colored citizens OF RicbmoIt
and of the cnti.e State Of Virginia owe &nt
hereby gratefully express their thanks t
Hon. Alexander Rivcs for his noble, up
ri-ht. and courageous course in declaring
and sustaining their rights III this vital ant
all-important matter.
8. That we call upon the colo!cd pcop
OF Richmond and the State to contribute II
the utmost OF their ability in the effort t
employ competent counsel to represent th'
cause of the race in this great struggle To-
liberty, justice, right, and equality bcfor
| the law.