The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-03-09
Our Fav0rite Vanity.

The evil that men do lives after them.
There is in human nature something that
leads us to hate those We have abused; and,
though slavery is abolished in America, the
prelndices which it begot still live like the
tail of the dead dragon. In every State,
the crack Of tide overseer's whip, long ago
silenced, finds echo to this day in con-
temptuous speech, and sneers, and shoul-
der-shrugs, and savage antipathies, direct
ed at those whose babies we sold at auction
ten years since.
At the Susquehanna depot, Pennsylvania
week ago, an inoffensive colored boy, be-
ing without money, crept at night into
railroad shed to sleep. Three Irish labor
ers found him, and instigated by combined
mischief and malice, they carefully satu-
rated his ragged clothes with kerosene and
set him on fire. The poor boy awoke and
ran, screaming in terror, like one of the
human torches wherewth Caligula loved
to light his triumphal path. His tormen-
tors roared with laughter; but 4 neighbor
rushed to his rescue, and succeeded in
finally extingushiHg the flames. 1t is be-
lieved the unfornate creature will die of
his injuries. Nobody has been arrested.
We mention this because it is legitimate
outgrowth of the same brutal spirit which
three weeks ago refused food and lodging
to Frederick Douglass at the Planters'
Hotel, Ill st. Louis. The wicked spirit of
persecution is busy throughout all the Dor
der States, notably in Missouri. Arkansas,
and Kentucky, depriving the colored peo-
pie of all the privileges of travel and enter
tainment, and subjecting them to heavy
expense and inconvenience.
The prevalence of these abuses amply
justiiies the consideration of Senator Sum
for t1,a -,
and goes far to extenuate even the persis-
tence which he has exhibited in grating
his measure upon bills to which it is not at
all garmane. The bill in question declares
that no citizen of the United States shall.
by reason of race. color, or previous condi-
ton of servitude, be excepted or excluded
from the full and equal enjoyment of any
accommodation, advantage facility, or
privilege furnished by inn-keepers; by
common carriers, whether on land or wa
ter; by licensed owners, managers, or les
sees of the theatres or other places of pub
lie amusements; by trustees. commission
ers, uperintendents, teachers, and other
officers of common schools and public inst,-
tutions of learning, the same being sup
ported by moneys derived from general
taxation or authorized by law; by trustees
and officers of church organizations, ceme-
terry associations, and benevolent institn-
tions incorporated by national or State
authority; and it further provides that all
cases arising under it shall be tried in
Federal court. The penalty for its viola
ton is $500.
We see no reason why this bill should
not become 4 law, with some trtiing
amendments. In States like Illinois, it
would never be practically resorted to, be-
toto Los do =
ity of rights, and for suits for exemplary
damages fer any denial of privileges by
common carriers or common entertainers.
1t is difficult, we confess. to see why grave
yards should be invaded by anybody
against the wish of their owners. If Cath
olics, Methodsts, Baptists, Spiritualists,
Jews, or Pagans desire exclusive cemcter-
ial privileges, is strikes us they should be
accorded; and if any fastidious corpse in
its last will and testament expresses a rhe-
torical shudder against being buried by the
side of a "niggcr,' the posthumous non
sense ought to be respected. Even .'Fes-
senden's Fool !" in the story conceded the
right without sharing the folly. Even the
prejudices of a brute ought to be respected
providing that he is dead.
But it is not easy to see why live people,
merely on account of the chocolate color of
their faces and hands, should be denied
equal privileges for equal money on cars,
omnibuses, and steamboats,, where drunk
ards, prostitutes of both sexes, knaves of
every degree, and vagabonds, clothed in
filth. are freely admitted if they be (con-
structively) white. If colored people are
noisy, unruly, or uncleanly, let them be
subjected to the common rule and exclud-
ed; but if they be neat and orderly, there
they should not enjoy their moneys worth
of whatever is for sale to the public.
You do not like, reader to sit by the
side of a we'll behaved negro in theatres
dress circle? Very well: take box. If
your antipathies are not worth five dollars
extra, they are not very important. You
do not like fastidions Madam, to sit by the
side of "Some offensive creature" in the
car? Very well; hire a carriage and you
can sit all alone by your own sweet self for
two dollars an hour. But you cannot ex-
pect to charter and monopolize Persian
heaven on wheels for five cents, you know.
! You object. dear sir, to risk the chance Of
meeting at the hotel table colored clergy
man or merchant; Fred. Douglass, Alex
ander Dumas DR.. Augusta, Minister Bas-
. sett, John Jones, or Jared Grey? Very
well; you have an inalienable and God-giv-
en- right to object. You can avoid these
people by having your meals served in your
room. Isn't your pet aversion worth dol.
lar to you?
The cherishing of antipathies is a luxury
for which men ought willingly to pay, in
stead of transferring the hateful tax to the
victim. To insult people because of their
color is bad enough; but it is mean and
cowardly to make them pay the expenses
of their own crucifixion. But the fact is,
that if Mr.. Summers bill shall become a
law, there will he no church pews vacated,
no additional meals ordered in rooms, no
extra carriages hired, no additional pro-
scenium boxes occupied. The skin deep
antipathy Is dropped the minute it threat
ems to cost anything. Men and women are
not willing to pay cent for the gratifica-
ton of this puerile vanity. They never in
dulge in it except as dead heads. The
street ears of Chicago were never before SO
crowded as they have been since negroes
were admitted to all their privileges
The aristocracy of fastidiousness has had
its way long enough. Now let there be
established democracy of justice in which
every man shall be put under bonds to
mind his own business; in which every
buyer shall be permitted to enjoy what he
pays for; in which herd of men can eat
in carayansary without imagining that
they are compelled to "associate - with
each other or marry each others daugh
tiers. 1t is high time that, on this ques-
ton, there was an overthrow of the public
opinion which fools and rutfians have ere
ated.-Chicago Post.