The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1879-07-12
COlOred Jurors.

method Of reasoning which has
invariably opposed our practical
of every political right
conferred by citizenship. 1t is ad
mitted that in the abstract We are
entitled to sit on juries, but as Il
matter of fact, the lack of educa-
ton dis9ualiies us from serving
without det.iment to matters at
issue. Such an assumption chal-
lengcs our right to- citizenship
from tho very beginning; for if
the greater includes the less,
and "a mere abstract tight is in it
self a cup of Tantaius, then the
right to sit in the jury box which
is one OF the necessary attach
ments OF the sovereign voter,
however ignorant he may be,
when withheld, is a logical denial
OF the perOgativeS OF his citizen
ship. When we were changed
from chattels to our present state,
the nation expected to suffer all
the incOnveoiences incident to
our condition precisely as it looks
to encounter disadvantages in
the affairs of government from
the monarcbical training and
habit of thought of the thousands
of emigrant> who flock yearly to
GU. shores to enjoy the benefits
of political freedom. We can in
tlict no more harm on a cOmmuni
ty by our mistakes as jurors than
we can as voters. If we need any
special qualification for the for
mer, we need much more for the
latter. But it is not as colored
people that we demand all equal
recognition in the jury box. The
day for that kind OF appeal should
be passed; and indeed, ST far as
We are concerned, race appeals
would long ere this have been
dOue away with. 1t is the sense
less prejudice of the Southern
people which is constantly remind
ing Us that, despite tie will q
the. majority of the American pee
pie, we are still rather tolerated
than accorded d complete right t.
all the privileges appertaining tt
to the dignity of an American
citizen. Admit Us throughout
the South to the jury box, an.
while We may for some time, d.
ia many other public acts commij
bluDdefs, yea. mistakes, as W.
however become accustomed Il
the exercise OF the right, we vii
improve in the same way sh'
Irish and Dutch from monarch!
-strickep Europeimproveln tiei
ideas of fepublicanism.
We clip the above from tA'
n. o. Weekly LouisiaaiaN edites
by eolored men.
Long before slavery was abolisl
ed in Louisiana the right or latll
er the privilege Of large numbe
of white citizens OF the parish O
LafOurche to sit on a jury wa
} taken away, aud the Sheriff, Ke
, cOrder and Clerk OF the Distric
Court authorized aud directed al
, nually to select 800 jurors out O
the roll CT voters, whose name
were subjected to lot and til
juries formed at each session @
tue court. The LoWiSianiaM is i
error when it contends that til
people, or any great body of tl,er
!, in this State, advocate the takin
away the right of men to sit o
= juries, because they arp colOred
Tnere are may persons, anon
!, whom we are one, who do fave
the restriction of the privilege t
serve as jurors, and who oppOS
& the placing OF any juror in tn
u box who is mentally unable I
perform the duties incumbent ~
Oh him.
:. To settle the disputes that e
before the courts, in which ofte
large Sims of money are involve
aud which only Il knowledge
business and the ability to max
, arithmetical calculations can gu;
=, ify d man, o. in which Il man
lite is at stake, dependent upo
the closest scrutiny of evidenc
and the most rigid deduction
the facts of surrounding circnn
stances, a dozen ignorant, un.ear
ell men are totally unfit tor.
\ few years ago a man charge
with crime in this parish. whOl
, the jury wished to punish by