Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1865-12-30

Mr.. Wilson Introduced the following
into the Senate on the twenty-flrst,
| which was referred to the Judiciary
Committee:
A BIZ 70 maintain and enforce, the freedom
Of the Inhabitants OF the United states.
WHEREAS, the Congress of the United
| States did, on the first day of February,
eighteen hundred and sixty-five, submit
to the Legislatures of the several States
an amendment 10 the Constitution de-
| elaring that neither slavery nor involun-
tary servitude, except as punishment for
| crime, should exist within the United
! States, and that Congress should have
power to enforce the same by appropriate
legislation;
| State did, on the nineteenth day Of De
| eember, eighteen hundred and sixfy-five,
make official proclamation that the said
amendment had been ratified by three
fourths Of the Legislatures Of said States
Therefore,
Be It enacted, etc, That all laws, stat.
utes, acts, ordinances, roles, and regula-
tions heretofore in force or held valid in
any State or Territory of the United
| States whereby or wherein any inequality
of civil rights and immunities among the
inhabitants of the United States, or ary
boundary thereof, is recognized, authO-
rized, established, or maintained by rea.
son of or founded upon distinction or diff
ference in color, race, or descent, or upon
a previous condition of, or status OF
slavery or involuntary servitude, be, and
they are hereby, declared null and void,
and 1t shall hereafter be unlawful t.
make, institute, ordain, or establish any
such law, statute, act, ordinance, rule, OF
regulation, or to enforce or to attempt 10
enforce the . me.
SEC. 2: Ind be IL further enacted, That
all inhabitants ofany State OF Territory
OF he United States, without distinction
of color or race, shall be entitled to make
and enforce contracts TO sue, be parties
and give evidence in all courts and
causes to lease, purchase, hold, or sell
and convey real and personal property,
and to have full and equal benefit of ali
laws and proceedings for the security Of
person and estate.
SEC. 3. ind be II further enacted, That
any person who shall, under the I'VE OF
any law or regulation, attempt TO subject
or cause to be subjected any inhabitant
of any State or Territory to privation OF
any right of person or property secured
or protected by this act, or shall other
III EhRNiaAtAAo u III 9CAi
shall be deemed guilty Of a misdemeanor
and shall, Upon conviction in any Dis,
trict or Circuit Court of the United
States, he punished by fine not
exceeding one thousand dollar,
or by Imprisonment not exceeding three
years, or by both, at the discretion Of The
court: ProUided, That IN the States de
clared in insurreetion by the proclama
ton of the President OF the first Of July
eighteen hundred and sixty-two, pro
ceedings for the conviction and punish
ment Of any violations Of this act MAY
be had in proper military courts unit
Congress shall, by law, provide for tn,
re-establishment Of the constitutional re
lations of said State to the United States
SEC. L.. Ind be It further enacted. Tha-
in all eases where any defendant in any
suit or proceeding in any court of a Stat,
or Territory shall claim q rigAt under
the provisions of this act by way of de
fence, u defendant may remove, by
petition, such suit or proceedings int,
the proper District or Circuit Court of tn,
United States.