Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-04-25
Civil Rights Bill.

Although the Civil Rights bill has been widely
published, there are doubtless many good people
who have not time 70 read it. For the information
Of such persons we copy the following synopsis Of
its provisions which win give the reader very cor
rect idea of lis scope and extent We are indebted
70 the New York Post for the synopsis
This act, which s to-day the law Of the land, Sc
cures TO every person in the country the right TO
make and enforce contracts, TO sue TO be sued, be
parties aud give evidence to inherit purchase lease
sell, hold and convey real and personal property it
guarantees TO all alike the full and equal benefit of
all laws and proceedings for the security of person
and property; and it subjects all alike 10 the same
punishments. Further It subjects any one TO pen
atty Of 6ne and imprisonment who for any cause,
deprives any person of any Of these equal rights
The enforcement Of this important law is entrust-
cd 70 the United States District Courts either sepa-
rately or eoncurrently with the United States Cir
cult Courts TO of which any one threatened
with such wrongs as this law seeks to prevent may
remove his cause. In practice the Court will first
decide we suppose, in such case, whether there is
| reason for the appeal
II is further made the duty of the Circuit Courts
Of the United States 20 appoint from time to time
additional commissioner who are officers before
whom persons cb"rged with violating the law are TO
be brought for eA ~iaation The commissioner may
discharge from arr-sr or he may commit for trial.
Marshals and deputy msrshals also obliged to
execute all warrants ald precepts issued under the
missness in duty. The commissioners may appoint
persons 10 execute their ants and these are
thorzed If necessary, TO call upon the bystanders,
and even upon the military and naval forces, for
help.
None of the officers created by this law receive
salaries but only fees for the services they called
upen to perform. They, as well the marshals and
other United States officers are compelled TO act If
called upon, and TO resist them is made an offense
punishable by fine ard imprisonment The Presi-
dent is authorized but not obliged-by the act if
he thinks il necessary OF advisable, TO direct the
Judge marshal and attorney of any United States
District Court TO attend at particular place within
the district for the speedy arrest and trial of
offenders; and the President is also authorzed-but
not obliged-to employ the military forces fer the
vindicaton Of the law.
1t will be seen that the President has very little
to do with the execution Of the Civil Rights act he
appoints the circuit and district Judges when the
places fall vacant; this is all. Those copperhead
Journals therefore which have been for a week past
urging him 20 "defy Congress- and refuse TO ex-
ecute the law IL it should be passed over his veto
only showed that they had not read the BILL and that
they were opposing and denouncing measure to
which they had not given the most cursory examin-
alton. The President however, is not such man
as these people take him to be- The Washington
correspondent Of the Tribune telegraphs, no doubt
correctly; f-C Ctt1l FI ttL
Tonight the Democrats are out of humor at
everybody, and are eursing the President Justify,
charging that he could have protected the veto if he
would have done properly. They declare that they
are done with him. The President expressed him
self as satisfied with the result declaring that If its
members conscientously considered that they ought
to pass r, he would not object and would carry out
its provisions so far as they depended upon him.
We have explained above the dry details Of the
Civil Rights act because we taink It important that
they should be generally understood. Those who
believe withus that neither peace nor prosperity can
be permanent or solid, unless all men are assured
Of equal protection before tho law, will thank the
manly majority in Congress, which has TODD firm,
and has given just and necessary law to tho land