Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1866-04-05
The Civil Rights Bill.
From the N. Y. Post, March DC.

From the N. Y. Post, March &c.
Certain journals are discussing the merits Of the
Civil Rights bill, which has already passed both
Houses of Congress, and urging objections to 1t
in advance Of the expected veto Of the President.
The New York Times, admitting the justice OF
the main principles of the BILL that the inhabitants
of every. State shall have absolute equality Of
Civil rights, and that other penalty shall be in
fictcd upon the negro than is prescribed for the |
whites, vet objects to the second section OF the
law, which subjects to fine and imprisonment al
those who aid in INJECTING any such penalty. This.
the Iimds observes, would subject any Judge,
Sheriff. or other officer ~ punishment for obeying
a law of his own State, and would have the effect
OF merging the proper powers Of the State author
tiles in central and consolidated government
The National lnteliyeRcsr in a very elaborate ex-
animation of the merits of the BILL takes much
holder ground. and denies the right of Congress un-
der the Constitution to interfere in behalf OF the
negroc against his oppresSors in any m inner what
| ever
We shall consider briefly these objections. and
in the first place that of the National Insliqenesr.
That journal re icrs to three different provisions of
the Constitution-tat which declares the citizens
of each State entitled TO all the privileges of cti
zens in the several States; that which empowers
the Federal Government to make laws enforcing
the prohibition of slavery; and that which author
lies Congress to establish uniform rule Of natur-
alization, and denying that the power to pass the
thyt it has demonstrated the civil rights bill TO be
grossly unconstitutional.
We will not take up the time of those who read
this article, in discussing the question whether
either Of these provisions gives the Federal Gov
eminent power to protect it, citizens in the
else of their civil rights, ina.much derive
the power from higher principle than any express
, provision of tho Contribution. Ii results directly
from the nature and off 70 Of all Goyernments-
No maxim is more generally acknowledged or
, current in the mouths of men than that allie
glance the part of the citizens entities him TO
. protection on the part OF the Government. Those
who experience the blessings which Governm ent
bestows who pursue under il their occupations in
peace to whom il secures the safety of their lives
their personal freedom and the undlstnrbed enjoy
ment of their property, owe it faithful adherence
and support as the price Of these blessings. On
the other hand, the Government which claims
from them the tribute Of fealty is bcund by an
U equal obi gation to maintain them in their rights
The natives of this country are by birthrights cit
izens of the Federal Government. and to each of
them that Government owes an equal measure OF
protection. The several States may have their
citizens: the Government Of the United States has
u its citizens also The passports which are issued
for the personal security OF those who travel in for
eign countries, purport that those who bear them
. are citizens, not of New York or Pennsylvania but
of the United States. II they oppressed and
outraged in foreign parts, the power If the country
with the army and navy atits back. interposes for
their rescue and redress. There is any at
titude which the Government can take more grand
and noble than when it puts forth the national arm
to secure justice to an obscure individual. whose
title to our sympathy and aid is that he is an A
Q merican citizen and is wroEged.
g Is the Federal Government, which, as q matter
: of duty, fails to Interfere when country
men oppressed abroad, to stand alooi in apa-
thy and indifference when its citizens Cypress
: ed ut home? Is that beneficient and pow erful
agency to be absolutely inactive in sphere where
r its aid is most likely TO be reQuiredl Here are
It three millions of men whom we have declared to
It be citizens of the Federal Governm ent who owe il
allegiance, who must contribute of their substance
o to its support, who IL they depart from their ale
= glance, will be traitors and vet for whom, when
70 the equal right. Of citizenship denied them
e If the argument Of the National Integencer has
s. any force, we can do absolutely nothing-nothing
d to protect them from oppression either by lawles
l. violence or unequal and uni ust laws enacted by
l. those who assume TO be the master OF fhe race
: Powerful our Government may be in tin;
the rights Of its citizens abroad it is powerless
q home; and the strong arm of the republic, at which
!, in the case of Martin Kosz.a. the Austrian Gov
v eminent trembcd, is nerveless when its ait
h has been claimed by black man withinour Dor
c der.
N 1t can not be denied ,l,at tho circumstances o
ID the country, and the dispositions toward the bacl
n race in which the white. of the South tave beer
i. educated, give abundant occasion to expect tina
l. the wrongs for which the Civil Rights bill provided
& redress will be perperated to greater orless de
z gree II they not. the bill will be inoperatv
l. the commissioners appointed under it will hav,
nothing to do Bat il the wrongs against which TIA,
lie bill provides committed. is there to be M
II remedy Is lawless violence % be left unchcck
e ed. and unjust and unequal laws to be ruthessl,
z executed I'LL the South is in me. and the dis
is content breaks out in revolt.
~hrtn 80 T,kot
the Civil Rights bill is but secession in disguise
Ii is iusdious repetition of the doctrine OF
ID which grew the rebellion. II the General Gov
ID ernmcnt had no power OF protecting its citizens
it has no right to their allegiance If il consrs
" them no benefits. it can claim from them sup
N port. The doctrine contenied for by the Intelli
m gencer would sever the connection between th'
& Federal 0vernmsnt and those who live unlcr it
and thus prepare the way for another attempt
d to throw of the authority Of the Union.
ID With regard to the second section Of the bill
e which subjects to fine and imprisonment those who
under color of law or custom. shall deprive any in
is hatant OF any State OF the rights secured by tn
n bill, or subject him 10 any pains penalties
" whatever on account of his having been slave
lie We hardly see how it differs essentially from tn,
r provision in the fugitive slave law lying be
r fore US. by which any person who should know
sc inSly obstruet the proceeding under that law,
1t made liable to fine aud Imprisonment.
re Those who now clamor so earnestly against III
IS. Civil Rights bill were the warmest in their ap
g. probation OF the Fugitive Slave law. and insiste
most strongly upon its execution. Yet the pen
ne alties levied against those who obstructed its
OF cution did not discriminate in favor OF any Judge
at or Sheriff, or other State officer, who, acting un
IN der the authority given him by what cslet
d, the personal liberty laws, DISTRACTED the recovery
IL OF the fugitive slave.
tx We do not mean, hore, however 10 discuss tina
r. question Ii Is sufficient. for the present, tina
in we have shown the absolute necessity of som
a law for the protection of citizens OF the Fedora
10 Government likely TO be oppressed en- account o
thSr color.