National Republican., 1873-12-02
EQUAL RIGHTS TO ALL.
SENATOR sUMNER's sBREN.IDs

The CoIored Cisizes. Welcome Him-Cou.
srstuiatsry Address by scila BssrtIs--
Mr.. sumscr's Repiy-The Cemmands
OF HIS stn,s Impei Hin 70 Lassr for
Equality Before the Law-Ne Dis,Isc-
tieu On Acceunt OF Csler-The Ce'srcd
People Of the District Lish, to Their
Brs,hrcs Elsewhere.
Last night large crowd OF coiorcd people as
scinbled at the residence Of Senator sumner,
next TO the Arlington hotel, TO tender TO that
gentleman . complimentary welcome to our
modernized metropolis. About twenty Of the
more prominent Of those present entered the
library Of the residence. and each shook the
Senator BY the hand. These proceeded with Mr.
sumner 10 the porch, where, after stirring air
by the Marine band, selia Martin welcomed him
again TO his sphere OF oficial influence, renewed
In health, TO continue the work Of philanthropy
lie especially congratulated him upon his re-
stored health, which he had lost In work for the
colorcd men, and the return Of which was
pledge Of his ability 10 resume his fight for the
colored mans rights. He rendered the gratitude
he was again in the face Of Inc light. In rc-
sponse Senator Sumner said;
am touched By this manifestation Of regard
cerely, that cannot aim any special merit.
have acted always at the prompting OF con.
science, and could not have done otherwise
besides, leould mot forget tho honored Com
monwealth which sent me here, with the CON-
mission and command 10 LABOR always for
human rights. Had ct any tine hesitated
should have been rebuked, not only by my own
Massachusetts,, one Of whose standArd. bearers
am. with the expression Of my thanks might
properly Close, but seeing you face 70 face on
once more on what have so often presented 10
my colored fellow-citizens Of Washington.
Your position 10 peculiar and most important
LOT sou ,,, arc placed on hill 50 as TO be an ex;
fellow-citixens elsewhere, counted by millions,
will be encouraged or depressed by what Is done
here. They viii do a. you do, Keeping In line
with you, and, according to q military phrase,
dressfng on you. II you are earnest and united
they will be earnest and united. II you insist
upon crowninf reconstruction by . national
law; In other words, that every where In every
thing regulated BY iaic there can be no dlscrmna-
.lon on account Of color. II you insist upon this
is the essential supplement and complement Of
all other measures, then will our colored fellow
citlsens throughout the country do likewise,
nna ,l 20 eeinR united you VIII be heard, and al
The past has Its lessons. I wish you TO re-
member that opening the street cars here was
that the battle here was for The whole % country. "
The admission TO testify here was the prelude 10
admission everywhere. The equal franchise
here WAS the precursor OF that universal meas
ure by which the right 70 vote was declared In
dependent OF color. II now remains that you
should be assured by law In the enjoyment OF
equal rights In education, In travel and gene
rally In the pursuit OF happiness, and here also
the KEY note must proceed from Washington.
one word more. IL In not enough to have these
assured BY state laws. They must be placed un-
der the safeguards Of q national statute, reach
ing into every state, so that all shall be alike In
rights, whether In Massachusetts, or south Caro-
linA, In New York or New Orleans; such statute
Will be the capstQne Of reconstructlon. Let
this be done, and the heavy burdens you have
so long borne will drop from your shoulders and
our legislation will be releved Of oil question Of
color. Our laws hereafter will speak Of persons,
OF citizens, Of men, but nothing more will be
said Of "black" or .white." In this respect they
will be like the National Constitution, which
furuishes no excuse for any such question.
have done whAtI could to-day TO secure this
triumph by Introducing In the Senate what Ia
extensively known m the supplementary civil
rights bill. II was the first bill introduced, and
therefore stands No. l on the calendar OF the
Senate. II my Efforts or wishes can prevail II
will be the nrst 10 become n law.