The New York herald., 1873-12-02
CoLoRED PEOPLES sEREsADE TO SUMNER.

Address by the Senator Announcing His
Introduction In tho senate Of the Sup
Elementary Civil Rights Bill.
WASHINGTON, Dec. !, 1873.
Senator Sumner was serenaded tonight by the
colored people OF Washington, and in response to,
the compliment spoke as follows:-
Mr. SUMMERS ADDRESS.
/ am touched by this manifestation OF regard an(s
sympathy; but allow me TO say most sincerely that
cannot claim any special merit l have acted
could not have done otherwise. Besides, Il
could not forget the honored Commonwealth
an 70 ahor aWes ws or HAD AZ
any time hesitated should have been rebuked,
not only by my own conscience but by the liberty
standard bearers l am. With the expression Of
my thanks might properly close. but seeing you
face to face on this amiable errand l am embol-
dened to dwell once more on what have so often
presented to my colored fellow citizens OF WASH
ngton. Your position is peculiar and most impor.
tant, for you are
PLACED ON HILL,
so as to be an example throughout the country.
Our colored fellow citizens elsewhere, counted by
millions, Will be encouraged or depressed by what
Is done here; aney VIII do as you 40 keeping IN
dressing on you." II you are earnest and united
they will be earnest and united II you insist upon
crownng reconstruction by national statute
declaring complete equality before the law; in other
words, that everywhere, in thing regulated
oil color-if you insist upon this benencent and
most comprehensive measure, which IS the essen
tAl eupplenenC ana complement OF all OLner
measures, then will our colored citizens
throughout the country do ewse; and so. being.
united, you Will be heard, and, allow me to say,
will prevail.
THE PAST HAS IT'S LRssoNs.
/ wish you to remember that the opening OF the
street cars here was followed by opening
them in other places; SO tnat the battle
here was for the whole country. The ad-
admission ever iywhere. The equal franchise here,
was the precursor Of that universal measure by
which the right to vote was declared independents.
nf rnl0 nnu rp m hn ar
sured by law in the enjoyment OF equal rights in
education in travel and generally in the pursuit or
happiness, and here also the keynote must proceed
from Washington One word more. 1t is not,
enough to have these assured by State laws. They
must be placed under the safeguard Of
A NATIONAL STATUTE,
reaching with equal and uni orm power into every,
State, that all shall be alike In rights, whether
in Massachusetts or South Carolina. In New York.
in New Orleans, such a statute win be the cap
stone OF reconstruction. Let this be done and the
heavy burdens you have so long borne Will drop
from your shoulders, and our legislation will be
relieved OF all questions OF color. Our laws here
after will speak OF persons, OF citizens, OF
men, but nothing more will be said oil 'black' or
"white.r In this respect they Will be like the ma
tional constitution which furnishes no excuse for
any such question. | have done what could to- .
day secure this triumph by introducing into tho
Senate what Is extensively known as the supple
mentary Civil Rights bill. 1t the first bill In
troduced and therefore stands No. on the calen-
dar OF the Senate. II my wishes or efforts can
prevail it will be the first TO become law.