The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-07

strued as to require hotel keepers to put whites
and blacks into the same rooms or beds, or feed
them at the same table, or require whites and
blacks to be put into the same rooms or classes
at school, or in boxes or seats in theatres, or
the same berths on steamboats, or other vessels,
or in the same lots liz cemeteries.
Mr.. Durham protested againsl the bill as an
attack on State rights and State sovereignty,
and calculated to embitser the feelings of the
AnglO-SaxOn race against the African race, to
destroy the whole common school system of
the South, retarding the education of the
blacks and likely to provoke war OF races that
would result in the determination OF the black
race in America.
Mr.. Elliott of s. c., (colored) addressed the
House in advocacy of the BILL reading speech
from manuscript with very fine delivery. He
referred co the services of men of bis race on
the battle nelfs of the country and reminded
MIR. Beck, who was always so active against
the negro, tnat the negro was true to that pa
triotlSm and love OF country which had ever
characterized and marked his history on this
continent, came to the aid of the government
in Its efforts to maintain the constitution of
that government. The negro now appealed to
that constitution, he now looked for protection
against the outrages and unjust prejudices
founded on caste.
Mr.. Elliott contended that Congress had
power to protect citizens in all their rights. III
held, in common with others, a high esteem of
Stephens, but when he seeks TO defeat this
ucdSuIc ut NElllOttD WOulu uOb HUH
saying it was not from Stephens that an Amer
lean House of Representatives would take les
sons touching human rights, for that gentle
man now offers to the government very poor
return for the magnanmity shown him, in seek
ing to continue offensive and obnoxious doc
trines. 1t was scarcely twelve years since
Stephens shocked the world by claiming that
human slavery was the foundation of the high
est civilized form of government. The race
which he then spurned was now here to meet
mis- discussion and demand rights which were
enjoyed by their former oppressOrs. Stephens
had learned much since 1861, but he was still a
learner. He should accept in its fullness the
great doctrine that American citizenship car
ries with it every civil and political right man
hood can confer. He referred to Harris of Va,
ed decency, he would let him feel that a negro
was too magnanimous TO smite him in his
weakness. lie ffkened the negro race to the
humble hand maiden who had long CLEANED in
finally found favor in his sight. Their cries
had finally reached the ears of Lord Sabbath,
and they were at last politically free, and the
last vesture of civil rights only was now need
ed. He closed with the prayer OF Ruth to
Naomi.
quent orat was Gen, Sherman.
Mr.: Monroe of Ohio, supported the bill, argu
ing that it will be an element of strength by
giving confidence to people that all should be
protected.
The bill was further debated.
Mr.. Butler of Mass. took the floor to close
the debate, but yielded to Mr.. Hale of Maine,
that he might report the naval appropriate n
bill, which was made the special order for mex t
Thursday.
ton Committee that if the site for the extension
of the Boston Postoffice cannot be had for half
million it ought not to be bought at ALL Re-
committed. Adjourned.