Page:Race distinctions in American Law (IA racedistinctions00stepiala).pdf/261

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in Washington, North Carolina, is interesting in this connection: "Mr. E. W. Canady, a respectable colored lawyer of Durham, N. C., not long since received three thousand four hundred dollars for his service at the bar in representing one case. This speaks more for him than anything else possibly could. It shows the public's confidence in his ability both as a lawyer and a gentleman of integrity. It also shows that, at least in some cases, a Negro can get justice in a Southern court, not only for himself, but for others. The profession of law is the most difficult one a colored man can follow in the South, because he must deal with white judges, white jurors, white lawyers, and, sometimes, white witnesses, and a public sentiment which is created by the whites. If he keep his soul well equipoised and act gently and manfully—not bootlicking, but seeking the peace of the city wherein he dwelleth, as Jeremiah advised the Jews of Babylon to do, he can fare equally as well, if not better, in the South as he can in the North. I was not a little surprised when I asked Mr. Canady how the judges treated him and he said, 'Oh, they'll treat you all right, if you act rightly; they are bound to follow the law, you know.' This should encourage more young men to take up this profession."


AS WITNESS

When one comes to the Negro as a witness, he finds much legislation and many judicial decisions, but they are confined largely to the first years after Emancipation; that is, to the years during which the rights and privileges of the Negro as a freeman were being defined and fixed.