The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-04-20
THR cIVIL RIQHTa RI1L.


"Be . enacted bg ne Senate and HoSss Of
RPrsHMlansss Of he USied Slater " Ansrtsa
in COagrs,' assembled That all persona born
in the United States and not subject to any
foreign Power, excluding Indians, not taxed,
are hereby declared TO be citizens Of the
United States and such citizens Of every
race and color, without regard to any previ-
Gus condition Of slavery or Involuntary SER
vitudef except as q punishmept for crime
whereof the party shall have been duly con-
victed, shall have the same right in every
State and Territory In the United States to
make and enforce contracts, to sue, be pat
ties, and give evidence, 10 inherit, purchase
lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal
property, and to full and equal benefits Of all
laws and proceedings for the security of per-
son and property as is enjoyed by white citi-
zens, and shall be subject to like punishment,
pains, and penalties, and to none other, any
law, statute, ordinance, regulation or custom
to the contrary Notwithstanding.
"SEc. ?. And be il further enacted, That
any person who, under color Ofany law, stat
ute, ordinance, regulation or custom, shall
subject, or cause to be subjected, any inhab-
liant Of any State or Territory to the depri-
walton Of any right secured or protected by
this act, Q. to different punishment, pains, or
penalties on account Of such persons having
at any time been held in a condition of sla-
very or involuntary seryitude, except as a
punishment for crime whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted or by reason Of his
color or race, than is prescribed for the pun
iShmeRt of white persons, shall be deemed
guilty Of q misdemeanor, and, on conviction,
shall be- punished by a fine not exceeding
one thousand dollars, or Imprisonment not ex-
ceeding one year, or both, in the discretion
of the court.
"SEe. .. And be il further enacted, That
the district courts Of the United States, with
in their respective Districts, shall have, eI-
c~lusively of the courts Of the several States,
cognizance Of all crimes and offences COM
mitted against the provisions of this act, and
also concurrently with the circuit court Of
tho ULited States, of all causes, civil and
criminal, affecting persons who are denied
or cannot enforce in the courts or judicial
the State or locality where there may be any
Of the rights secured to them by the first sec
ton Of this act and if any suit or prosecu-
tion, civil or criminal, has been or shall be
commenced in any State court against any
such person, for any cause whatsoever, or
against any officer civi or military, or other
person, for any arrest or Imprisonment, tres
passes, or wrongs lone or committed by vir-
tue or under color of authority derived from
this ACT or the act establishing r bureau for
the relief of freedmen and refugees, and all
acts alnendatory thereof, or for refusing to do
any act upon the ground that il would be in
consistent with this act, such defendant shall
have the right to remove such cause for trial
to the proper district or circuit court in the
manner prescribed by the Act relating to
hGb,as corpus and relating to judicial pro-
ceedings in certain cases. approved March 3,
1868, and all acts ameudatory thereof. The
Jurisdiction In cival and criminal matters
hereby conferred on the district and circuit
courts Of the United States shall be exercised
and enforced in conformity with the laws OF
the United States, so far MS such avs are
suitable to carry the same into effect but
in all cases where such laws are not adapted
to the object, or are deficient in the provis-
ions necessary to furnish certain remedies
and punish offences against law, as modified
and changed by the constitution and status
Of the State wherein the court having juris-
dictiou of the canse, civil or criminal, is held
so far As the same is not inconsistent with
the Constitution and laws Of the United
States, shall be extended to and govern said
courts 10 the trial and disposition Of such
cause, and, u Of a criminal nature, in the in
fictiOr Of punishment upon the party found
guilty..
"SEc. 4. AnGbs il further enacted, That
the district attorneys, marshals and deputy
marshalS Of the United States, the commits
sionerS appointed by the circuit and terrific
rial courts of the United States, with powers
of arreSting, imprisoning, or bailing offenders
against the laws Of the United States, the Of
fcers and agents Of tie Frsedmen's Bureau,
aud every other officer who may be specially
empowered by the President Of the United
States, shall be and they are hereby, special
ly authorized and required, at the expense Of
the United States, to institute proceedings
against all and every person who shall yio-
late the proceedings Of this act, and cause
him or them to be arrested and imprisoned,
or bailed, as the case may be. fpstrial before
such court ofthe United States OF territorial
court as by this act has eogniIance Of the Of
fence. And with a view to afording reason
able protection to all persons Ia their eonsti-
iutiopal rights Of equality before the law I;
without distinction ofraee or color, or previous
condition Of slavery or involuntary servitude,
except as punishmen. for crime, whereof
the party shall have been duly convicted, and
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