The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-17
The Civil Rights BiII---The True
Policy OF the Southern States.

The Civil Rights Bili---The True
Policy OF the Southern States.
The Civil Rights bill has become a
law of the land over the Presidents
veto. The act declares all persons
born in the United States not subject
10 any foreign Power, and excluding
Indians not taxed, citizens of the
United States, and that "such citizens,
of every race aud color, without regard
10 anv preyious condition of slavery,
Nc "sball have the same right, IN every
state and Territory, 10 make and en-
force contracts, 10 sue and be sued, he
narties and give evidence, 10 inherit
purchase sell, hold and convey real
and personal property, and 10 full and
eoual benefits of all laws and proceed
iprs for the security OF person and pro
perty. as are enjoyed by white citizens;
and shall be subject TO like punish>
ment, pains ana penalties, any law,
statute, ordinance, regulation or Gus
tom to the contrary Notwithstanding
This Is the substance of the bill It's
execution or enforcement h committed
10 the district aud circuit courts of the
United States and the commissioners
thereof and 10 the United States dis
trict attorneys, marshals aud deputies,
the officers and agents OF the Freed
mems bureau, "and 10 every other OIL
Ger who may be specially empowered
by the President OF the United States,
aud. finally. "it shall be lawful for the
President. or such persons as he may
empower for that purpose, 10 employ
such part of the land or naval forces OF
the United States, or the militia, as
shall be necessary 20 prevent the viola
ton and enforce the due execution Of
this ACT
This is the law. II sweeps away not
only all the old slave codes and free
negro laws Of the Southern States, but
the legislation which they have adopt
ed in reference 10 their black popula-
ton since the suppression Of the re-
belRon and their submission TO the su
preme authority OF the United States.
from Virginia TO Texas, President
johnson, acting upon the old truism
that Rome was not built IN a day. had
adopted the policy, under some general
Instructions. Of leaving 10 each State
the adoption Of its own system Of laws
touching the civil as well as the politi-
cal rights of its black population under
the new order Of things resulting from
tie abolition aud constitutional inter
diction Of slavery. Thus the civil rights
Of the blacks ia every State, from Nir-
sin;a 10 Texas, have been more or less
enlarged: but in no case that we are
aware OF have they been placed on the
same footing ~ white citizens In any
event all these State proceedings are
now superseded, inasmnch rs tins law
OF Congress removes this whole busi.
ness Of the civil rights of citizens OF the
United States from the State lecisla-
lures and courts TO the federal courts
and civil and military authorities
The question thus presented 10 the
local authorities and responsible citi-
zens Of the Southern States Is. whether
they shall acauiesce IN this law of Con
gress. or adhere b. their local reguls.
lions IN regard TO the civil rights of
their black people and risk the conse-
quences Their only course OF safety Is
acquiesCeace IN the law until he Su
preme Court shall have declared IL
otherwise A graceful submission 10
the law will immensely strengthen In
the North the claims OF the excluded
States 10 a yaicc in the legislation of
Congress, while the opposite course Of
resistance 10 The law will corresponding.
lystrengthen the radicals ia their game I
Of the continued exclusion of the states /
concerned The President has no al l
tentative in this mstter tie is bound /
% take care that the laws be faithfully 1
executed
The local authorities aud people. /
thereioie e, Of the Southern States. IN lie,
desire 10 aid the President in his gen.
erous efforts in uleir behalf, viii throw
no useless distractions in the way Of
this law, but they viii let il take It's
course. In this way the radicals Of
congress will soon be left without
plausible excuse for longer refusing the
lteht OF representation 10 the States
slut out Let no further regard in the
. ~ be paid 10 the vicious counsels !
- - stto'1ssion ire-eaters, for they are the
WV Aea leaders TO whom the Southern