Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-23
The Negro and the LAW

At this time, when Republican polit-
clans are raising cry about the negro
not having his rights in the South, IT is
not out Of place to mention some impor-
tant facts. 1t will probably be news to
many in the North when they are told
that IL is almost impossible to arrest n
negro criminal, in many parts OF the
South, outside Of the cities, and that il is
very difficult even there. A negro who
commits a murder or less crime upon a
white person and succeeds in es-
Gaping immediate arrest, or where the
crime is only witnessed by persons Of his
own color, is as safe from arrest or pun
ishment as the bank cashier who fees TO
Canada. Few negroes Will inform upon
others Of their race who commit crimes
against the whites. The appearance Of
an officer in a negro settlement for the
purpose Of serving warrant, turns the
whole population into know-nothngs.
Even respectable white men who live in
neIghborhoods thickly settled with ne
groes very often dare not, or will
not, give information tor fear Of
the vengeance OF their black
neighbors, some of whom may at any
time become incendlaries. In the killing
Of Mr.. Russo by the negro boy Wayman on
Saturday night the murderer would not
have been caught had he known he had
killed his victim, and many Of the cOlored
people are indignant because person Of
their own race accidentally gave inform
ton which led to the arrest OF the muir
dorer. There are several negro
murderers at large in this vicini-
ty of whose whereabouts the officers
Of the law are well satisfied, but they can
not be arrested owing TO the protection
which their color secures for them among
their own people. Inquiry in almost
every part OF the South where the negro
population is large will show the ex-
lstence of the state Of affairs herein
described.
Probably there are many Of the better
classes of negroes who would refuse to
conceal facts in relation to the where
abouts Of criminals Of their own race, or
who would aid the officers Of the law IN
hunting down and arresting such crlmi-
nails, were they not afraid to do SO. The
TO aid in discovering or arresting those OF
their race who commit crimes against the
whites are almost universally ostracised
by their colOred neighbors, and very often
are abused and assaulted, and some have
even been murdered.
This cOnniyance at crime and protec-
ton OF criminals on the part of colored
people is doing more to retard the progress
Of their race, probably, than anything
else. 1t tends to make them feel hostile
to the law and the officers of the law, be-
cause they really, or apparently, sympa-
thize with criminals; and the young are
brought up to feel that the law is an in.
strument OF oppression, that they may
violate it with impunity, except when it
protects people of their own color; and
so far as fear or punishment is concerned
IA large proportion Of them feel that they
will be sheltered and protected in every
possible manner by their own people when
necessary.
When the facts above stated are con
sidered, II is not to be wondered at that
thinking people who are not fanatics or
blind partisans, North as well as South,
shudder at the thought OF negro supre-
macy.
1t is matter of sincere regret to every
right-minded person that the negroes are
not making as rapid progress morally as
they are mentally and materially, and il
is not strange that they are distrusted
politically, and that every step towards
forcing the races to mingle in public or
other places on terms of social equality is
opposed by the whites.
1t is an memorable law of society that
in every country in which there are two
races of people unequally endowed az to
morals, intelligence, and position. that
which is the more virtuOus and wise aud
influential shall administer its affairs,
and under providence direct its destinies.
The more intelligent negroes of the
South should recognize the above truths,
and endeavor TO elevate their race by
teaching them to elevate the law.