The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-22

The negroes of Alabama have laid down
their platform. They say:
As there seems TO be considerable diff
ference of opinion concerning the legal
rights OF the cOlored man. it will not be
ami>s 10 say that we claim exactly the
same rights, privileges, and immunities as
are enjoyed by white men-we ask no.
thing more, and will be content with no.
thing less. All legal distinctions between
the races are now abolished. The word
white j. stricken from our laws, and every
privilege which white men were formerly
permitted to enjoy merely because lpes
were white men, now that that wora Is
stricken ont. we are entitled to on 'he
ground that We are men. Coiol ,,r
longer be pleaded for the PurpossIT; o r;rht
failing privileges, and every p uo-, NV
privilege, and immunity Is en}os" nnh, j..
every individual MEMBER VI 'no ; 49, al
This is the touchstone thaI oc,ol n'Ia.o on
these points. Solong as pam vi SUI
is a public park or street, Tue eh.'ie puoiio
has right to use it; so long as car OF d
steamboat is public conveyance, 1t mus.
carry all who come To IL, ana serve al
Like who pay alike. The law no longer
knows white or black, but simply men, ana
consequently We are entitled to ride IN
public conveyances, hold office, sit on Ju-
ries, and do everything else which we have
IN the past been prevented from dong
solely on the ground Of our color.
"Of course it is understood by all that
we lay no claim TO social privileges. Every
man controls his own house according 10
his own ideas, and associates with whom
Soeycr he pleaseS-provded they are Will
ing 10 associate with him. This is a matter
which must and should regulate itself. But
while we scorn to thrust ourselves into the
society Of those who do not like us, we
protest against the idea inculcated by some
that riding in cars or sitting In lury-boXeS
or steamboat cabins are social acts and
privileges. We do not intend TO be drag
ged down to level with thousands OF
white men who are found in those places,
and we ask no more attention from others
while in them than we do on the street"
1t is against the social part of this plat
form that the whites enter their protest.
They are willing that the Gear or steam
boat which is public conveyance shall
carry all the negroes who pay for riding,
but they wish the negroes To have separate
apartments, separate dining-tables, and Sc
parate sitting-rooms. They do not wish to
associate with them. That is the whole
story. So as to sitting on jures. White
men cannot sit on these with negroes with
out dSSoctdttng with them. WHY. then
should the negroes try TO force their nm
willing company upon men who think thew
are disagreeable companions' "Ridinp
10 cars, OF sitting in jury boxes, or steam.
boat cabins" are not social privileges. We
agree TO this. But il is the negro that is
trying to make these acts social privileges.
IL is not content TO ride, but he insists
upon riding side by side with the white
man, thus actually claiming "social pri-
Vllege !" which the latter is not willing TO
eohcede TO him. The negro may have as
many steamboats,, cars, churches, school
houses, theatres, or hotels, as he desires.
II - his privilege to have them. No white
man will object. But this does NOT satisfy
eAASo: lie wishes TO force his children