The Savannah morning news., 1904-12-06
EQUAL JUSTICE
TO ALL CLASSES
IN THE EYES OF THE LAW.
ALL MEN MUST STAND EQUAL, SAYS
JUDGE CANN IN CHARGE.

the Races-Facts That Point Credit
to Chatham County COurts-Meet-
ing Problem of the Races-What
Must Be EncOuraged-Educat OF
the BIacks-The Treatment of the
Lower Classes.
In an eloquent and thoughtful
charge to the grand jury Judge George
T. Cam yesterday discussed some of
the conditions that prevail in Chatham
county and touched upon many of the
problems that are confronting the
people of this section of the state.
The charge was optimistic, though
the caution was given to avoid those
things which, hastily or improperly
dealth with, might mean, ruin. An
earnest plea was made for the adj
IrtnAstration of justice equally and
impartially between all classes.
In touching on the negro problem
Judge Cam pointed to some of the
difficulties with which it is filed and
yet with pride at the manner in which
these difficulties had been met by the
South An eloquent tribute was paid
which prevails throughout this sec
ton of the country. The following
is the charge in full, with the excep-
ton of the parts the court is required
TO charge under the code:
Georgians No Laggards.
ut is well to pause sometimes to
consider whatever of good there may
be in us, lest indiscriminate and con-
us to become reckless, shameless or in
different creatures, rather than law
abiding, progressive people, with
proper ideals
1T is a homely saying, but one which
encourages us to higher efforts, that
the world is better to-day than ever
before, and daily continues to improve.
We of the South and of Georgia have
been no laggards in the work of men
tai and moral improvement, whether
we consider ourselves as a section of
a great country, or as one of many
states or as a political subdivision of
a state.
while recognizing our obligations to
state and nation, our present duties
are more intimately connected with the
particular county in which we live.
building "A Republic.
I'VE did our share in rearing the
formation of this, the noblest republic
the world has ever known. We took
our part in fighting its wars and in
establishing it's constitution. Our dis
tinguished representatives have been
always in the forefront of the battles
for the supremacy of that constitution
and for the maintenance of and adher-
ence to, the great principles expressed
by it. For those principles our peo-
pie gave of their best, bravest and
fairest. They endured, with matchless
heroism and sacrifice four years of de-
Wasting and cruel war from which they
emerged still unconquered in spirit, but
shattered, bleeding, impoverished.
LAS if their own burdens were not
enough, they had to assume the care
and education of millions of ignorant
and irresponsible freedmen in the
breast of whom was deliberately en-
gendered hatred to their white neigh
bOrs.
Scarcely had the blighting effects of
war begun to be effaced when fearful
pestilence desolated our homes. the
horrid visage of death stalked into
nearly every family. But our people
met the fearful epidemic with the
same heroic spirit as they did the
dread spectre war.
Notwithstanding all these frightful
hindrances, sufficient to quench the ar
dor of a less courageous people, the
South to-day is grander and more pro-
gressive than ever in her history.
south Negroes Best Friend.
How well the scourage of war and
OF pestilence has been overcome by
the South is best sung in the musical
Whirl of her almost countless looms,
the steady roll of her myriad wheels
of industry, is best pictured in the
fhOIlGnn6 Of -
grain, and fruit, and the numerous
white-winged angles of commerce
gliding from her ports to distant
markets. How well she has cared for
and educated the freedmen can be
told in the consciousness of every good
negro. His best friends are the people
OF the South and in the South he
mas better opportunities than any
where else.
1T may be of interest in this con-
nection to know that out of twelve
homicides tried in your courts, when
ten Of the defendants were negroes
and only two whites, both white men
were convicted and only two of the
ten negroes, and this by white juries.
1t was stated a short while ago by a
newspaper of a certain city, in a
Northern state, that of five murder
ers under sentence of death in that
city four were negroes and only one
VIII =.
Education of Negro.
And with reference to the education
of the negro in this state, while he
only pays a very small percentage of
the taxes. many times that percentage
is paid out by this state for his free
school education. No one knows bet
ter than we our imperfections, but
no section of our country is perfect.
These are but mere suggestions of
portions of the priceless heritage hand
Cd down to us. The contemplation of
them but emphasis the greater re-
sponsibility which rests upon us il we
DO our duty and go forward in the
march to still higher and better ac-
experimentation civic virtue and
ultimate perfection.
We must dignity honest toll to that
position to which its great value en-
titles II. We must impress upon the
rich aud powerful, as we'll as upon
tne poor and weak, that all are equal
before the law. We must cultivate
education in its broadcast and highest
meaning. Over all let the Peace Of
justice" reign triumphant, while plant
ing seeds which viii bear a rich harv-
est OF splendid accomplishments in
material civic and moral advance
ment
ITO this end each Of us must recog-
ME and willingly bear his share OF,
individual responsibility with the
others In our community. BE diligent
70 make suggestions. consider ALL re-
sent none, and adopt those for our
Weliare. We owe II 10 our heritage.