The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-05-15
observation-disclosures OF . Bill Giving
CIVIL Rights to the Freedmen
Special Despatch to the Chicago fribune.]
NASHVILLE, May IL.

NASHVILLE, May !.
Mr.. Arnell's bill, conferring civil rights
upon freedmen, was taken up. Messrs. Dug
gan and Williams opposed the bill, the for
mer presenting an antinegro argument With
much force and point.
Pleasant Williams, of Carter, offered an
amendment that the law should not be so con
strued as to permit colored men to sit Ju-
res. Upon this, Mr.. Arnold took the floor
and made speech which would not dishopor
any legislative assembly in America. The
following is an imperfect synopsis:
"This is a bill to maintain freedom. We
are engaged in great work-the relaying of
the foundation of the State. Let justice and
humanity be the corner stone. he bill is no
party measure; it is the embodiment OF a
principle that comes recommended TO US by
the highest authority. First 1t has the sane
ton of the great and patriotic Congress OF the
United States. Yes, the great and patriotic,
though snarled at by little curs and abused
by weak heads, cooperating with impure
hearts. Second it has the endorsement of
President johnson. He says that it ought TO
be State. but not National law. As a leg
sla,ure, we find ourselves in an enviaLle po
sition. II we are friends TO Congress, we
have its emphatic sanction; if we friends
to the President, we have his endorsement;
If we are friends to both, there IS no conflict
between US. As thorn to prick us onward
to our duty, we have before us the action OF
the Georgia Legislature. The Louisville
Journal recommends it for Kentucky. Third
it is our own testimony. law and declared
terms. 1t has concluding provision for the
benefit of paupers, the deaf and dumb, the
blind, the lunatic and the apprentices. Twill
not insult the heart of Tennesseeans by argu-
meuts on this point. / beg the House not to
permit the noble grant Of civil rights, or the
bene6cent charity conferred by this bill to
bill is right and ought to pass for two reasons:
FIRST, it Is enlightened legislation, and upon a
vexed question. Second. it is for the interest
of the South. There Is also special reason.
Let it be made, read and known Of all men
that while the mad, drunken, fendish spirit
of rebellion was drenching Memphis with
blood, the Union Legislature of Tennessee
was declaring civil rights and making provls-
ion for the poor, the blind and the lunatic.
1.-The riot at Memphis vas wicked, un
provoked, demoniac outrage upon the blacks.
q second Fort Pillow. Let us rebuke the
spirit manifested there by the exalted char
acter of our legislation here, and let us never
forget that we are the prominent actors in an
era whose mission is to cast aside unreason-
ing prejudices, and establish Governments
for the benefit of man."
]. S. Mullery, of Robinson, made an elo-
quent speech upon the same side, but the use
less and disgraceful amendment prevailed by
one majority-30 to 80.
A. L. Warren. Copperhead, from McNairy.
moved to amend by providing that the bill
should not be SO construed as to permit col
ored children to attend schools with white.
Adopted by close VOTE The previous ques-
ton was then ordered. and the bill upon its
third reading passed-3l to %.