New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-10-02

no means sympathize with the Hon. Fred
Hassaurek, who, in 4 speech at Hamilton
recently stated: "All the good that the Re
publican party ever proposed to do it has ac
complished. Its work is done its mission
Is fulfilled Poor, indeed, is that man:
conception OF the mission Of the Republican
party who feels that il was only brought int
lie to save our Union. This ia, indeed, an
important matter. But it is but a small
part of the great work which this party is
called to accomplish. This is but n small
part OF what it has already done. II goes
! forward from the emancipation of the people
from their entranchisement, from the recon.
struction Of the States and the Government.
! TO the accomplishment Of those far-rcachiny
national designs and purposes, material and
moral, which, accomplished, make our cOun-
try, our Government, and our people, in their
| permanency, their strength, their progress,
| their influence and power, if not the very
! greatest, indeed second TO none OF whom
the history of the world gives authentic ac-
count.
What the party has done already gives
assurance Of the consummation which pre-
dict.
JUSTICE TO THE PARTY AND THOSE SAID
TO BE AGGRIEyED.
With regard to the criticisms having to do
with the non-passage Of the civil rights bill,
and neglect in giving colorcI men official
position, l would speak with caution. while,
if possible, would do Justice rs well to the
party as those who fee! aggrieved. FIRST of
all, | believe myself that Congress ought,
Immediately subsequent to the late National
Republican Convention held at Philadelphia
20 have proceeded to the passage Of the
Sumter civil rights bill. For / believe that
the utterancc of the party in its national
character as to this subject was sufficiently
clear definite, and satisfactory. The rcspon-
sibility for non-action, or imperfect action |
had better say, lies wholly, in my judgment,
with the members Of Congress. Is there any
way by which their conduct can be explained
or eXtenuated? We are to bear in mind that
the action proposed in the passage Of this
bill is unusual. l am not aware myself that
it has parallel in legislative history. The
proposition is one TO enforce by penalty the
recognition and respect of rights and privi-
leges on the part Of colOred citizens, usually
secured by the imposition and collection Of
civil damages at the suit of the party ag-
grievod On the statement made it is at
once perceived by every one, certainly every
lawyer, that this subject is surrounded by
many difficulties. In the first place, if the
colored American is a citizen, why legislate
at all as to common carriers and inn keepers
al, :.
to stand upon the rules and usages of the
common law? In the next place, some are
of the opinion that if legislation be had at all
by Congress, and among these may be found
some of the ablest lawyers Of our country,
the civil rights bill of Mr.. Sumner is alto
geter too broad and comprehensive. Such
persons hold that legislation, by supple
mentary civil rights bill, should not reach
beyond the liabilities and duties of common
carriers, inn-keepers, and right Of admission
to common schools and other educational
institutions. Others still are of the opinion
that legislation with regard to these subjects
should be had, if at all, not BY Congress, but
by the Legislatures of the different States.
Already this legislation has been had in New
York, Mississippi, and other States of the
Union. And then, in addition, there has
been feeling existing among some OF our
most intelligent, conscientious, and radical
Republican leaders that the country was not
ready for legislation in this behalf, and that
to press it might prove damaging to those
whose interests they would advance. The
colorad people themselves have not pressed
this subject as they might, and ought to have
done, upon the attention and consideration
of those in power. Indeed, in many cases,
involving the interests of certain influential
colored men, where the application of the
principles contained in the civil rights bill is
presented, such coored men have opposed
this application, as in the case of separate
schools and separate school boards, thus
leading Radical members of Congress to be-
lieve that even the colorcd people themselves
are opposed to the passage of such 4 bill.
CHARLES SUMNER AND TIE REPUBLICAN
PARTY.
Thus it will be seen, that while the Hon
Charles Sumner, backed as | believe by the
great National Republican party on this par
tcular subject, if the Philadelphia platform
is to be counted as having real significance,
urges the immediate passage of this bill, Re
publcans, members OF Congress, no less
conscientious, have heS!tated and refused
thus far to act.
We must not forget, in this connection,
either that this subject is one Of compare
lively recent agitation, and the people in
many States, may say the people generally,
have neither understood and realized the
importance Of such legislation, nor accepted
| its legality.
So much, / think. may be said Justly bv
way of explaining and perhaps excusing and
extenuating the conduct OF such Republicans,
members OF Congress, as have failed to act,
according to our Judgment, with promptness
and decision, as well as wisdom, on this
| subject.
CIVIL RIGHTS ELL.
| would not be misunderstood here; there
| fore, while l offer excuse and extenuation,
| hold that the civil rights bill, as introduced
by Charles Sumner, bringing as it does to
the colored American the privileges and ad-
vantages of a common school, the rights and
| advantages, facilities and accommodations
afforded by common carriers, inu-keepers, at
public places of amusement and instruction,
the benefits Of an impartial and equal Jury
trial, the convenience, necessity, and salts
faction of the usual and common burial place,
and finally freedom from the discrimination
| aud degradation implied and enforced in the
use Of the word white" in our legislation
and law, should be passed without delay and
| am more than glad We all realize that such
change is being wrought in public feeling and
Judgment on this subject that action in this
regard cannot be distant.
| COLORED MEN IN OFFICIAL POSITION.
| With respect TO the neglect of the party to
/ put cOlored men in Office, have to say that
l believe the charge lie not well founded.
Here, it is to be remembered, that the Re-
| publican party makes no distinction as to
complexion in the distribution of its patron
age. Under the civil service rules applica.
| tons for office are received and filed and
appointments made in view of competitive
examinations, without regard to whether the
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