Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-02-17
sumner and Amnesty.


Last week, after much debate, Senator Sum-
ner succeeded in fastening bis misnamed " civ
Il rights project upon the amnesty bill
whereby the latter was lost for lack Of q two
thirds vote.
The vote upOn Summers amendment, Civ
Ing negroes the right to an equality with
whites in churches, theatres, hotels, steam
boats. railroad-ears, and cemeteries. was tie
rs to 2S-and this made Vice President COL
fax show his band He did not favor all its
provisions but was for the principle, aud there
fore voted aye. Thus clogged the amnesty
bill was voted upon. SS TO -, and this not be-
ing two-thirds. the measure was lost. Both
our Senators, Foreman and Davis, voted asains,
IT,
The following remarks on the subject, from
the Baltimore Sun, are appropriate;
AMNESTY AND ClvL RtoHrs.-The even
vote on the adoption Of Mr. Summers civil
rights bill in the Senate. as an amendment 10
The amnesty bill-tweny-eigh to twenty
eight-leit the decision 10 the hands If the
Vice-Presjdent, who rendered il in favor of the
amendment; stating, however, that while not
occurring 10 all the features Of the amend
ment, it met bis acquiescence as whole
What features Of tie amendment he did not
concur in Mr.. Colhx did not state. The
amendment declared that no citizen was 10 be
excluded, BY reason OF sex, color, &c, BY inn
keepers, by common carriers. BY owners If
places Of public amusement by trustees Of in
situations Of learning supported by moneys
derived from general taxation or authorized
by law, by trustees Of church organizations.
cemetery associations and benevolent iustitu-
tions Incorporated by national OF State au-
thority though churches, Schools GENE ferries
and institutions Of learning established exclu-
siveiy for white or eolored persons, and main
tanned respectively by the contributions Of
such persons, shall remain according to the
terms Of the original establishment.
Whether IL was the theatres, the churches,
The schools, the inns, or what. that Mr. Clllax
wished to exclude the coured people from.
does not appear, or whether il was that he OBJ
jected 20 the last proviso, and wished the col
ored race 10 have unDbstructed access TO all
cemeteries, &c. IS left in the dark In fact
IL is not easy O. decide from his vote whether
COlfaX is IN favor Of what is called civil rights
OF Of amnesty. or whether be is opposed o.
both-which last, however. would seem 20 he
a fair inference. as his decision had the effect
Of killing both measures fur the time being -
Being a temperance man. be deems il is safe
perhaps O. pursue a course Of such exemplary
moderation that 10 one can tell which side he
is on. AT any rate he has not given a distinct
echo % the keynote struck in the Presidents
message, which recommended amnesty. This
Recommendation seems o. have had as little
efectas the former invocation Of the President.
Let Us have peace. Yet though the Presi-
dent cried peace, there has been no peace
Nor has there been anything that tended 20
promote Il. So, too, his recommendation 20
amnesty has been denounced By the leaders Of
his own party 10 the Senate as immoral and
inhuman, and the bin 20 that end is bur,hened
with such amendments as to render It's passage
impossible Thus Is the South condemned
seven years after the war still % drink the cup
Of " hope deferred, though we dare say it
has forUtude enough 10 bear it rather than see
the country commit such folly as the Senate
seem determined % link 70 It's clemency