Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-10-27
The colored Race Defended.

which the editor attempts 10 ADVISE
the colored people of kentucky what
is best for them to do when the State
Convention assemblies at Lexington
Nov. 26th. His advice we have not
sought; it may be worth something
to him, but it is not worth anything
tous. lie says great many things,
among them he says; us
ave would like TO call the atten-
ton of the Executive Committee to
our own county (Christian) where 1t
has been the custom foryears to have
colored jurors, both in civil and Grim
inal cases.
No colored man is tried in this
county without one of his own race
to sit in Judgment over him and it
has been our observation that con-
yictions are more certain and penal
ties severer than when left entirely
to the judgment of white jurors"
You are right when you say col
ored men serve on juries in this, "our
own" county ;you are still right when
you intimate that they make as good
jurors as other men. Il. t .t
But when you have said Sour own
county" you have SAID all that .an
be said for Kentucky. Take ifyou
please the adjoining counties of Todd,
Muhlenburg, Hopkins, Caldwell
and Trigg, 10 colored man sits on a
jury in one of them. Why is this
distinction shown? The law says we
are eligible. alr
| 1t is fact that the jury commits
sioners and sheritfs of these and all
other counties of Kentucky lay aside
all of their christianity, intelligence
and chivalry, of which they boast SO
much, and allow themselves to be
blinded with prejudice and reject
colored men because of their color.
If it is the cause, and there seems to
be no other, they are not worthy OF
the positions they disgrace. If color
ed men make such good jurors as
you say they make, why have you
not mentioned il before? The sur
rounding counties would probably
have given the colored men trial
which would have settled all doubts
as to their making good jurors. The
infection would have gone into other
counties and the rights of white men
F as well as colored men would have
been better protected, and there
would have been no need for us tC
meet in State convention to pass upon
| the jury subject. But to the contra
ry, you have failed to discuss thil
subject, as you have others, which
, would have given us better stand
: ing in the estimation of all fair mind
ed men. You have kept silent ant
we have been sufferers because o
| such silence.
Again he says: at is law of hu
t mainly and of nations that the NOR
intelligent govern" We do not ash
/ to govern, we simply ask respectable
0 and fair treatment at the hands o
f those who govern. So long as w
: sit still with folded arms and submit
to these crimes, for crimes they are
you say nothing except OCCASIONAL.
when you want to carry an election
a then you are pleased to come to u
y and say: "Colored men, rise up ant
: contend for your rights" p
9 But according to your way o
e thinking we have no civil rights ex
c cept canvassing against some Repub
S lican or Democratic candidate.
!. At any other time when we begil
: to talk about our civil rights yo'
: make haste and say "they are draw
: ing the color line" or they are seek
It ing "social equality" and "socia
h rights" which is an absurd idea
e We seek nothing and ask nothing
l.. but our civil rights, and fyou woul,
: stop for a moment and consider til
: difference between the two right
It you would see at glance that W
! ask those rights which come by vii
n tue of the adoption of Amendment
s to the constitution and which hav
# been accepted by both the Republi
4, can and Democratic parties and mad
/. part Of their party platforms.
d Did you think it right when I'll
h English government taxed your PROF
1t erty and would not allow you a sea
s. in Parliament. No, you went to wa
70 and Crispus Attucks negro, wa
# the first 10 fall in your defense. The
Is how do you conclude that we arejus
a lytreated when we are taxed to SUP
IL port the Agricultural and Mechan
It cal College and are not admitted, nc
" have any arrangements been mad
l. whereby we could enjoy the benefi
n. of such taxation when we are take
% 10 support the State military and al
We not allowed to form companies
s. When we are compelled to buy
DC first-class railroad ticket and ride
r. that abominable smoking car, whiC
n is never cleaner than hog pen,
H. this fair? We are human being
ID and should be so accepted, especia
D. ly by the intelligent.
i'll Again he says; "When the col
le vention assemblies the wisest thin
a for them 10 do would be to discu
IS. those methods, Educational and Mo
I'd al, that will tend 10 elevate their IA,
IN and TO ignore the lamentations