New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-12-25
speech Of Hon. j. II. Isainey Oh
he Civil Rights IsiII In the House
Of REPRESENTATIVE.

SpefeH VI uhOn. y. -. 1S6lney Oh
the Civil Rights IsiII In the House
Of Representatives.
Mr.. RAINEY. Mr.. Speaker, | did not
expect to participate in this debate at this
early period; and would have preferred to
wait until should have had full exposition
of the opinions entertained by the other side
OF the House. l know, sir, that gentlemen
on the other side have professed great deal
of friendship for the race to which belong;
and in the last presidential election they
pledged themselves that they would accord
to the negroes of this country all the rights
that were given to other citizens. | am
somewhat surprised to perceive that on
this occasion, when the demand is made upon
Congress by the people to guarantee those
rights to a race heretofore oppressed, we
should find gentlemen on the other side
taking another view of the case from that
which they protested in the past. The gen.
tleman from Ky. Mr.. BECK has taken legal
view of this question, and he is undoubtedly
capable of taking that view. | am not
lawyer, and consequently l cannot take
legal view OF this matter, or perhaps cam
not view 1t through the same optics that he
does. view it in the light of the COnsti-
tution-in the light of the amendments that
have been made to that Constitution; | view
it in the light of humanity; / view in the
light of the progress and civilization which
are now rapidly marching over this country.
We, sirs, would not ask OF this Congress as !,
people that they should legislate for us spe-
officially as class if we could only have
those rights which this bill is designed TO give
us accorded us without this enactment. |
can very well understand the opposition to
this measure by gentlemen on the other side
of the House, and especially of those who
come from the South. They have feeling
against the negro in this country that | sup
pose will never die out They have an an
tipathy against that race of people, because
OF their loyalty TO this Government, and be-
cause at the very time when they we're need
cd to show their manhood and valor they
came forward in defense of the flag of the
country and assisted in crushing out the re-
belliOn. They, sir, would not give to the
colored man the right to vote or the right to
enjoy any of those immunities which are en-
ioyed by other citizens, if it had a tendency
to make them feel their manhood and ele-
vatc them above the ordinary way of life.
So long as he makes himself content with
ordinary gifts, why it is all well; but when
he aspircs to be a man, when he seeks to
have the rights accorded him that other cit-
zens OF the country enjoy, then he Is asking
too much, and such gentlemen as the gentle
man from Kentucky are not willing to grant it,
the Constitution has prescribed what rights
we ought to have and to enjoy. l ask the
gentleman, in the light of the Constitution,
ii he can say to the House to-day consci-
entiously, if he can say to the country con-
scientously, that the rights which are guar
anteed by the Constitution are given to the
negroes in the State of Kentucky ? should
like TO know if they enjoy those immunties
and those rights there. Why, saw not long
since measure pending in Congressman it
was pending in the last Congress-to deprive
the negroes OF Kentucky of the right of suf-
iraSc. They do not want any enactment by
Congress that will have tendency to elc-
vate the negro and make him feel that he is
man and an American citizen. Just 50
long as you will let Kentucky and the other
Southern States, and some of the Northern
and Western States, mete out to us what
they think we ought to have, and we receive
it without objection, we are good clever fell
lows; but just as soon as we begin to assert
our manhood and demand our rights we are
looked upon as men not worthy to be recos-
nized. we become Objectionable, we become
obnoxious, and we hear this howl about
social equality.
Now, gentlemen, let me say the negro is
not asking social equality. We do not ask
il of you, we do not ask of the gentlemen
from Kentucky that the two races should in
termarry one with the other. God knows we
are perfectly content. l can say for myself
that am contented to be what am so long
as have my rights; l am contented to marry
one of my own complexion, and do not seek
intercourse with any other race, because
believe that the race of people | represent,
to the extent of the opportunities which they
have had, and considering how recently they
have escaped from the oppression and wrongs
committed upon them, are lust as yirtuOus
and hold Just as many high characteristics As
any class in the country. | think the sta
tistcs will prove that there is as much virtue
among the negroes as among the whites. Sir,
We are not seeking to he put on footing of
social equality. prefer 10 choose my own
associates, and all my colleagues here and
and the whole race | belong to prefer to
make that choice. We do not ask the pass
age Of any law forcing US upon anybody who
does not want 10 receive us. But We do
want law enacted that we may be recognized
like other men in the country. Why is il that
colored members of Congress cannot enjoy
the same immunities that are accorded to
white members? Why cannot we stop at
hotels here without meeting objection? Why
cannot we 60 into restaurants without being
insulted? We are here enacting laws for the
country and casting votes upon important
questions; we have been sent here by the
suHIaSes vi tAS pSoFiS, anu why CduHOl We
enjoy the same benefits that are accorded to
our white colleagues on this floor.
say to you, gentlemen, that this dis
elimination against the negro race in this
country is unjust, is unworthy of high /
minded people whose example should have
sautary influence in the world. | am very
much surprised at the gentleman from Ken
lucky [Mr. BECK making these objections
and urging them upon the House. l had |