Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-05-08
THE TRIAL OF LEWIS.


TIE trial of JAMES Lewis, colored al
Fairfax G. H., Va. upon q charge Of
assaulting . white female, Mrs. RRIDEI
and his conviction on the 18th ult =.
was q farce from beginning to end. II
deserves the severest condemnation by
right-thinkiDg people everywhere.
It makes n citizen pause and ash
the question, whittier are we drifting
aud are any OF our lives secureY De.
spite the fact that two iuries disagreed
as to the infliction of the death penal
ty, and the third tarried long before
reaching verdict, an Infatuated mob,
bowling for his blood, intimidated the
men selected to try the case. and g
verdict OF guilty was reashed In &C
eordsnce with the popular clamor.
LEWIS has steadfastly insisted upon
his innocence, and there is strong
suspicion that he told the truth.
But the announcement Of Judge
GRAHAM that the convicted man had a
fair and impartial trial is as amusing
as.it is ludicrous. What IL fair and
impartial trial2 Does it consist in
having mobs around the courtroom
Does it embrace an intimid alton OF the
witnesses to the end that they shall
color their statements against the pris-
oner? Does it include the require
ment that the accused shall prove his
innocence rather than that the COM
shall establish his guilt9
Does it signify that an immediate
trial should be vouchsafed, while the
community in q high state of excite
ment and the minds of the people
biased by exaggerated reports7
Does it mean denial OF the request
for change Of venue, or does it mean
supine submission to the DEGREES OF the
mobr Can Judge GHAHAx answer ?
Will he pause in his official duties and
enlighten the public upon these sub
jects?
But thoughtful, law-sbiding, chris
tian white and colored people are ask
Ing whether or not JAMas LEWIS crimi-
nally assaulted or attempted to crimi-
nally assault Mrs. RxIDBL2 Does
Judge GRAHAM believe he did? II an
Iwered in the affirmative and the evil |
isnee sustains the same little sympa-
'hy will De expended upon the man
Who has placed himself in such . pre-
iicament.
And yet, were he guilty OF even this
'rims, and it is not at all probable that
40 is, he would be entitled to a fai
md impartial trial.-whicL he has not
ret had.
A jury composed Of men Of his color
would convict him as quickly as
white one.
We enter our protest against such
'rials within the confines of this COM
nonwealth, We warn the people and |
he officers Of the law that such con.
iition cannot long continue. It will |
result in consequences, ktoo fearful to |
contemplate with inequanimity. All
'itizens, regardless of race or color
will be the sufferers thereby.
Through the smoke OF this troublous
one man, the central figure |
n this commonwealth today stands |
,ourageously and immovable. True
20 his convictions, faithful to the obli- |
cations which he has taken, OHARLEs
I. O'FERRALL, the stately Chief Exc
'utive Of this grand old commonwealth
. true and insists upon the fulfilling
# the guarantees of the constitution.
A soldier, every inch OF him, per-
duties, regardless of their dis
agreeable nature, he.has won the admi.
alton and esteem of the better classes
If the commonwealth and by his patri-
,tic course attracted the attention Of
he civilized world.
Name an Official in this country or
Europe, who would have been mora
'xact in the performance Of sworn
obligation than was he. in sending
tate troops to Fairfax @. H., in order
hat the laws might be upheld at
II hazards.
The militia did its duty, the Month
clio Guards reached the scene of the
disturbance, and the lynching spirit
7as subdued. Not before, however