Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-02
Senator Sumner serensAea.
he COLoRRD People OF II pIsTRIcr WEI
CONF HIM-HIs RESPONSE In Favor o

7HR CoLoRHD PEOPLE OF II DIsTaIcT wRL-
CONF HIA-HIs RESPONSE In Favor OF
EQUAL RIGHTS.
The colored admirers of Senator Sumner as
sembled at his residence, near the Arlington,
last evening for the purpose Of complimenting
ner, accom- panied by Mr.. Sella Martin and sew
eTal others, appeared on the porch. when Mr..
Martin addressed the Senator, congratulating
him upon his restored health, and welcoming
him back to the sphere of his Official labors
Mr.. Sumner replied as follows:
am touched by this manifestation of regard
and sympathy. But allow me to say most sin
cerely, that cannot claim any special merit.
have acted always at the prompting of con-
science, and could not have done other wise
Besides, could not forget the hOnored COM
monwealth which sent ME here, with the COM
mission aud comma to labor always for hui
man rights. Had at any time hestatej /
snould Lave been rebuked, not only by my own
conscience, but by the liberty loving people of
Massaehu setts, one of whose stand ard bearers
am With the expression of my tn snks might
properly close. but seeing you face to face on
this amiable errand am EN- boIdeDed to dwell
once more on what have so often presented to
my colOred fellow citizens OF Washington.
Your position is peculiar and most important,
example throughout the country. Our colored
fellow citizens elsewhere, counted by millions,
will be encouraged or depressed by what IL done
here. They viii do Q. you do, keeping in line
"dressing on you" If you are earnest and
united they will be earnest and united. IL YOU
lnsist upon GROWING reconstruction by a
uonal statute declaring complete equality be-
fore the law; in other words, that everywhere in
everything regulated by law, there can be no
discrimination on account of color; il you insist
upon this benetcent, most comprehensive meas
uTe, which is the essential supplement and COM
plement of all other measures, then will eur
eolored fellow-citizens throughout the country
do likewise, and so being unsted you will be
heard, and allow me to say will prevail.
The past has its lessons. | wish you to re-
member that opening the street cars here was
followed by opening them in other places, so
The admission to testify here was the prelude
to admission everywhere. The equal franchise
here was the precursor of that universal meas
ure by which the right to vote was declared in
dependent of color. 1t now remains that you
should be assured by law IN the enjoyment of
orally In the pursuit OF happiness, and here also
the key note must proceed from Washington.
One word more. 1t is not enough TO have
these assured by state laws. They must be
placed under the safeguards of a national stat
ute, reaching into every state, 80 that all shall
be alike in rights, whether in Massachusetts, or
South Carolina, in New York New Orleans
such a statute will be the capstone of recon-
structiOn. Let this be done, and the heavy
burdens you have so loEg borne will drop from
your shoulders and our legislation will be re-
ieved of all question of color. Our laws here
but nothing more will be said OF "black" or
"white." In this respect they will be like the
national constitution, which furnishes no ex-
cuse for any such question. i have done what
could to-day to secure this triumph by intro.
duclng in the Senate what is eXtensi vely known
as the supplementary civil rights bill. 1t was
the first bill introduced, and therefore stands
No. on the calendar of the Senate. III nv eff
forts or wishes can prevail il will be the first to
become a law.