New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-06-25

ideas 1t Is particularly benefited, and we con-
tend that the whole country is benefited.
This is as it should be, differente classes de-
velop the several interests ofthe whole nation
Though il may be that the classes SO devel-
oping are to certain degree especially BEN
Gifted by the accomplishment Of their desire,
can it be said that such benefit is not the
just compensation for advancing the best
interests Of the country?
To-day the colorcd citizens, forming a
class whose rights as free American citizens
are not respected, are seeking legislation
that will accord equal and exact justice to
all without regard to the accidents of birth
or former condition. If success crowns the
efforts Of colored citizens they will be bene.
fitted, it may be specially. Certain it is
that nation which deals out justice IN an
impartial manner to all its citizens is ben
elit to all. Those who seek to make impair
TALLY in dealing with citizens by the Gov
eminent the policy of the nation are deserv-
ing not only the thanks of the whole people
but Of the reward for their labors, though
such reward may 60 to the extent of being
an especial benefit to them.
In order to develop reform and to make
progress, it seems to be necessary that some
body must be first aggrieved; as for instance
the farmers Of the far West who, by the &C.
ton Of railroad monopolies, have met with
no proper compensation for their toll or,
take the case of the colored people of the
country who are not only law-abiding citi-
zens, but are in the armies Of the nation
ready to yield up their lives in its defense,
yet are they victims Of outrage and tyranny
without the sufficient protection of law. AS
the agricultural class Of the West looked to
Congress for legislation which would anne
liorate their condition, so did the uniustly
outlawed class of American citizens turn
their anxious eyes to that body full of hope
that the promises of relief to them would be
fulfilled. They have been doomed to disap-
pointment. They have been treacherously
dealt with by their agents. Congress has
adjourned; the colored citizen has no pro-
lection against injustice, in public schools,
in the jury. box, the railroad car, or the
steamboat. The failure to pass the Supple
mentary Civil Rights Bill will act as an invi-
tatiOn to renew outrages upon colored citi-
zens. To the negro the adjournment of
Congress without the passage of some meas
ure making equality before the law prin-
ciple of the Government, is a sad event.
He cannot know how long he is to be the
victim of all the hate in the South against
the Union and in the North of an insane
prejudice that drives him from the workshops
into the most mental and depressing service.
He prayed for the amelioration of his condi-
ton so far as the law can do it. BY the
treacherv Of Republican members Of Congress
elected in large part by colored rotes the negro
is continued an oalaw. Fortunately the ne
gro has the ballot. He owes it to himself
to use that ballot in furnishing the treachery
Of the men whose treason to protested prin-
ciples leaves him a victim TO negro hate.
Every ballot that shall be cast by colored
men for the so-called Republicans who, on
Saturday night last, voted against the civil
rights bill, will be regarded as so many en-
dorsements of their treason. Our people
are not the towards to kiss the hand that
smites them. They must not be led into the
support Of pretended friends by sophistry,
nor by intimidation. Defeat every pretended
Republican who voted against the Civil
Rights Bill. The ballot-box is the medium
through which the sentiment Of the people
is expressed. Let the colored people ex-
press their views on equality before the law
by voting against those who are not found
ON the side with its advocates.
The majority of the Republican party in
Congress has the thanks of the negro. The
policy of that party as against the policy of
the Democratic party has the support of the
colored man. With the exception Of the
treacherous members Of the party, the COL
ored people of the country have full conf
dence in il.