The Portland daily press., 1866-01-31
Bill to Extend the Right of Suffrage.

"Dixon," the intelligent Washington cores
pendent of the Boston Advertiser, teIegraphs
a concise abstract of Senator Trunbulls
speech on his bill to guarantee equal civil
rights to all persons without respect to race OF
color. Senator Trumbull is Chairman of the
judiciary Committee. He said in defence of
his bill: 81.
81 am certain, Mr.. President, that no more
important measure than this has engaged
the attention of Congress since the adoption
of the amendment TO the Constitution abolish
ing slavery. The incorporation of great
truths in the fundamental law of the land is of
little consequence, If those intended to be af-.
fected thereby are denied the means of avail
ing themselves of their benefits. OF what
good were the grand truths of the Declaration
of Independence to the millions of African de-
scent in this land who for generations were
subjected to the worst form of slavery ever
known2 Ofwhat avail was that declaration
of the Constitution that the citizens OF each
State are entitled to all the privileges and i'm
munities of citizens of the several States, to
that citizen of Massachusetts, who, tor under
taking to assert a constitutional right, had to
flee from South Carolina to escape personal
violence? Of what avail will the great act
abolishing slavery be if the late slave States
are permitted by unjust legislation to deny to
persons of African descent the essentials of
freedom? 1t is fact susceptible of abundant
proof that the laws recently enacted by some.
at least of the late slave States are conceived
in a spirit which prevailed therein while sla
very existed. 1t is the purpose of this bill tn
overthrow all these Determinations against
this CLASS Of persons, and to give them perfect
equality, before the law, with their late mas
tiers and oppressors. a-s j
mill of An
Congress the right to pass such a bill !? CON
tend that it clearly has, and that its power
comes from two sources: first, from the clause
of the Constitution which declares that the
citizens of each State shall be entitled to all
the privileges and immunities ofctizens OF the
several STATES: second, from the second clause
of the late amendment to the Constitution,
which gives Congress the authority to enforce
the amendment by the necessary legislation.
"Under the first head remark that absolute
liberty cannoD exist in any government. The
indivi> ual must necessarily give up some OF ,
his natural rights to society, that there may be
harmony aid due opportunity for the exercise
of the rights OF others; but 10 individual can
be required to concede more than any other
Individual, or, as blackstone says, civil liberty
should be equal 10 ALL and any statute which
does not secure equal liberty to all is imper-
feet. Now what are the privileges and immu-
mites of citizens OF the several States Among
them are, certainly, protection by the govern,
ment in the enjoyment of life and liberty; the
right to acquire and hold property; the right
to pursue and obtain happiness; the right to
trayel at viii, and to establish AID maintain
chartered schools, &c. These are great funda
mental rights, belonging to every person, sub
ject Oh course to such restrictions as the gov
ernment may justly prescribe for the general
good of the whole community. This bill de-
clares all persons born In the United States to
be citizens, and as citizens, persons of African
descent, as well as all Others, are entitled to