New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-12-12
Class Legislation.

Sdass AeStsl0t1On.
To the Editor ofhe Nep National Era:
What is "class legislation" in its broadcast
sense, that we should fear it, when it can no
longer be based on the color, but on the pres.
''t condition, Of those intended to be bene-
| fted.
The aristocracy Of the skin having been
erased for our national status, we have APP
preached republican standard where I un-
derstand it to be the right and duty of the
national and State governments to enact
special laws' for protecting the rights, in
terests, and liabilities Of individuals, or a
portion of their fellow-countrymcn, publicly
recognized as a 'distinct and separate
Glass;" by the customs, laws, and usages of
the country in which they reside. Such a
class are the freedmen Of the Southern
States, already acknowledged by the acts of
Congress creating the Freedman's Bureau
and Freedman's Bank, and are in fit posi-
ton to ask Congress for special appropria-
lions to assist them in their onward progress
out Of the condition in which they were
placed by their former condition of servitude.
The opponents of "class legislation" TO-
more these measures of redress for former
grievances, and thus place themselves in
front of the car Of progress, which, if they
do not get off the track, may grind them to
powder. I am not astonished to find able
and learned colored men who have long been
goaded by keen sense of oppression, look
ing back through centuries of oppression, and
tracing its cause to "class legislation" cry
ing out, "Give us no more of it," am I'M
able to agree with them; l want class lcgis-
lation in favor of liberty, justice, and equal
ity as remedy for the evils of the past. 1t
was class legislation that has changed our
whole civil condition it was to secure this
blessing of liberty and enfranchisement that
we petitioned Congress for that class legisla-
ton that has secured our citizenship and that
we still continue to petition for the purpose
of perfecting the "civil rights bill" 1t was
class legislation that placed us outside of the
Constitution, and it is class legislation that
must bring us back again. Therefore am
for class legislation wherever it is needful,
right, and in conformity with the principles
ofjustico and humanity. Glasses and races
are older than constitutions. and cannot be
obliterated by them, and will continue to be
recognized by our civil code.
We are all bound by our citizenship to ex-
tend our allegiance to the Constitution and
laws Of the land; yet We can only justly
reverence them in proportion as they "ex-
tend the blessings Of liberty to ourselves and
posterity." There is nothing invidious in
being "class." 1t is the qualifications and
capacities Of the "class" to promote the
great objects Of civilization and christianity
that attracts the common mind and gives
them power and influence. care not what
color, race, or condition is represented by
any man DESTROYS of an expression of popular
favor, unless he recognizes these cardinal
truths he cannot receive my vote, because he
cannot be my representative.
The white race have had the benefit of
class legislation ever since the foundation of
our Government, and it is full time we had,
according to our representative capacities,
possessed just share Of its blessings and
rewards. When Congress erased from the
national statutes the crime of slavery, the
nation in spirit of repentance demanded
that indemnity should be given to the freed
man, and the passage of the ''civil rights"
bill with other reconstruction measures fol-
lowed, which was species Of class legisla-
ton, endorsed by every friend of freedom,
justice, and humanity. Hope there is not
single friend of justice and humanity who
will ever regret such contributions to the in
terests Of an oppressed race, because they
were the offspring of "class legislation"
For my own part welcome them as the
trophies Of modern civilization. We may
justly anticipate the period when some black
representative from the South, himself a
former slave, or the son of freedman, in
spired by his love of race, and fired with pa
triotism, will rise up in Congress, and with his
bold and native eloquence demand, in behalf
of his poverty-stricken section, an appropria-
ton Of five millions of dollars, to be loaned
to the freedmen for the improvement of their
lands, and to aid them in acquiring agricul-
tural implements, so as to increase the agri-
cultural interests Of tho South, charging
American commerce, and making liking
Cotton" once more the barometer Of finance to
the world. Such a subsidy would take its
rank with those that have already been given
to railroads, steamships, and the Chicago
fire. If such class legislation develops the
great interests of the country, let us pray
that they may be so multiplied until every
barren hill shall be covered with grass, and
valley groan with agricultural products for
man and beast. WIN. WHIPPER.
The Sabbath Laws.
| Mr.. EDITOR: In the ERA Of the 2lst ult.,
we notice an article entitled, "Gerrit Smith
to the Anti Dramshop Party" The writer