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Transcribe page 3 of 255
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Download PDF for NMAAHC-004567415_00293 (project ID 15411)
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2 courts of the state. This assertion is often made in the face of the most convincing facts to the contrary. I will cite but one. At the last Term of Rowan Superior Court two negroes were put upon their trial for a capital felony. They were poor and could not retain counsel in their defense, but the judge assigned them counsel from among the ablest members of the bar in the state. The proof against them was very strong, strong enough, as was remarked by many a spectator, to hang white men. They were acquitted and a juror in the case, after verdict rendered, said that if they had been white men they would have been found guilty. but for fear it might be said that negroes could not obtain justice the jury, composed of intelligent men, acquitted them. I propose then to treat this case as between equals, for before the courts of North Carolina they are equal and I believe they will be treated as equals, at least in their rights, [[strikethrough]] before [[/strikethrough]] by this court. To use a favorite term among the Freedmen, "The negro has played out" and it is time it had, for he has been the innocent cause of ruining our country; there may [[strikethrough]] still [[/strikethrough]] be those who still wish to play upon that old "harp of a thousand strings" but here in this land that has been so fearfully scourged it is time the song of African oppression should cease and that harp, whose tones have always made such sad discord in the temple of the Union should be hung upon the willows, never to be taken from thence. To come to the merits of the case then, we have this view presented. Dr William, R, Holt, a gentleman well and widely known for his purity of character and
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