New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-03-06
So 90 n year in advance.
= Copies for SO.

car OF steamboat, or 81 together IN IT,. sam.
convention or assembly, does not constitute
them socially equal no more than ia make,
them morally OK intellectually equal.
Il have no sympathy with the great out-
cry that is leye'cd against the rights of men.
solely on the ground uf color | recognize
different grades in society, and can Under
stand why the pure. the intelligent. and viz
tunus should not be contaminated h ASSOC
citation with the wicked, the low, and the
VICIOUS. ! can see some reason frg Refusing
10 ride in the same ear or steamboat. or for
declining to 1T in the same assembly with
druEkardS, gamblers, robbers. and f.lurierrr>,
but T. refuse to come into such proximity with
men because they happened II bear a ,ii!,cr-
ent complexion from my own, would hr t.
acknowledge mean prejudice, unworthy of
an age OF intelligence.
"Sir, il there are those who believe that a
mans complexion, whether il be black,
brown, red, or what not, can become q badge
OF disgrace which no endowment of God, no
requirement ot art or science can wipe out,
then those persons are welcome to the con-
ISOLATION which tia; belief affords can pity
the narrow and dwaried souls that cherish
such prejudice. but | am not disposed To ad-
NIT the delusion in my own heart The time.
apprehcnd, has passed for estimating man
by the color Of his skin rather than hv tie
qualities OF his heart, or the strength of his
intellect. II is, ut least, better in accord
with the genius of our free institutions to
leave the race of life open to all al:Sc. and
a. CTR !ury.at.crs refused to recognize caste.
based upon noble blood. - I am not inclined
to assist in building up an ariStocracv based
upon color. " hiic am aware that the Cau-
caslan race has furnished the highest tyres
OF moral. intellectual, and physical develop
ment, believe it has also furnished exam
pies Of the greatest depravity, detormitv, and
ignorance. | am unwilling to say that crime
Is robbed of its enormity when committed by
members ofmy own race, or that manly worth
and exalted merit should not be recognized
when found among people Of a different an
cestrv.
''oir, have no anxiety about the social
question. Justice and reason will, in due
time, settle that, as well rs all other ulc>-
lions Involving the rights of men, TO the -ar-
isiaction OF all. The rapid march of events
Will soon bring Us the solution for, with all
we can say or do, we are scarcely more than
spectators Of the grand revolution rnlling
over Us.
The revolution that has elevated four and
Il half millions fslaycS to the dignity of Gill
zcnship, and placed almost within their hands
the dCstinics of the mighticst and most noble.
Government on earth, will not cease until
their rights are recognized. and they have as
sumcd their proper place in society. Those
who are most interested in this question, can
best afford to await its ISOLATION. The time
Of waiting viii not hr long Tho passage Of
this bill will ha-tcn it, by opening the way
whereby the truths OF science and religion
can gain access to the understanding of the
people, and thereby raise them superior to
their passions and prciudiceS, into the purer
atmosphere Of cason and TRUTH
Governor Powers then concluded as fol-
lows:
l believed and said thus publicly, in 1871.
that Justice and reason would, in due time,
settle all questions involving the rights of
men, to the satisfaction of ALL" The rights
claimed under the bill before me are nothing
more nor less than common law rights that
belong to every American citizen. The
common law knows no caste or color; il only
knows frecmcn, and it guarantees - all
equality of rights.
This bill creates or recognizes no rights not
already established as common law it only
prescribes different penalties for their in
fringcmcnt. And if, in this respect, it seems
to be harsh, time will soon mark the modili-
cations which justice seems to demand.
Popular prejudice, in 1870, denied the
rights to the colored people, which public
sentiment, to-day, is ready to cOuccdc
"Justice and reason" have taken stronger
hold upon men; passion and prejudice hay
ing, in Il great degree, subsidized, thi, law
which would, three years ago, have excited
strong oppOsitiOn-will now be met with a
degree Of favor which will render it, rs |
firmly believe, not difficult of execution
Personally, | do not attach very
great importance to this measure IL only
| marks an advance step in the history of lcg
| 8 il n an hn gt4t nj
| books of the State more fully, rights which
were already secure the moment slavery was
| abolished and former slaves became citizens
of the Republic. The colored people attach
! Importance to it because it is the first time in
the history of Mississippi that civil rights
| have been the subject OF statutory enact
ment, and they see in it an abatement OF un
! just and oppressive determinations. ON thi'
latter account have invited you to lie pres
eat, 10 witness the signin2, of the bill
SIGNING THE BILL.
The bill was then signed, and Coy. Pow
ers, in few appropriate remarks, presented
the pen to Capt. Carter, whom he cOmpi
mented for the energy and perseverance
which he had displayed in bringing it forwar
and labOring through evil and good report Il
procure its final passage. The bill hayin
been duly passed and approved, need no
=
fully executed lApplau@c, and Capt. Gar
ter was loudly called for.
SPEECH or HON. If. c. CARTER.
GENTLEMEN: This is, indeed, the proudc-
moment Of my life, and after receiving irOr
the hands Of the Governor the pen with whic
he signed the bill that places all men upo
an equal footing, ! cannot find words to O.
press the feelings OF my heart. When | RI
| ceiycl the nomination for the lcoislatu,
from the county of Warren, promised III
, onstitucnts that this LII should be pas,c
before the end of nav term, and by the assi7
} ancc of those true az! tgicd friends Df Rcpui
licauism now III the Legislature 81 the stat
of Mississippi, an al present enabled to a
. that have kept ny word. Most frOm!ncr
c among those who have aided IN the accom-
i plishmcnt Of this great AZ. Of Justice stand
e the much dcspi-ri carpot-ba.g,r. 1 WEI
4; them in my heart OF hearts. | cln never fo
= get that when ! len the STATE Of Mississippi
f in isG2, 10 joia the Federal ARMY ca
2 never forget that in that army | found 0
i carpet -baggers. We have cause - le
0 grateful to them, and particularly To- fc
= grateful u those who remained here - he
5 Us fight down an uHj4s. PIE juicc and
: achieve the great moral and political victor
I that we are here Tonight TO ratiig. To OF
= staunch friends, the southern Republican
= who have stood up m4alully IN ih.s st:uZs
i for civil rights i5r the down-,r0Jien ucgr
= Ii, those Southern ReUublicaus Of the Sta