The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-06-16

lUE llSIL RIGHTS DlLL-LETTER FROM
SENATOR LEWIS. OF fIRGlSIa.-The follow
inc letter from Senator John F. Lewis, OF
Virginia. on the civil rights bill, has been
made public. 1t is as follows:
Serern Wilkins, Esq My Dear Sir
Your letter of the 18th instant is before NE.
You ask, lis there any possible chance for
our civil rights bill this session." would
have given your letter earlier attention but
from the fact that was absent from the city
when ii arrived.
1t is hardly necessary that should say to
the people Of Virginia that l am 4 true and
sincere friend OF our colored citizens, and
desire 10 see them protected in all civil, reli-
| yiou>, and political rights without invidious
| distinctions Of any kind. | am DESTROYS to
see them provided with the means of acquir-
| Ing educational blessing so long denied
| them hy the laws of the southern States.
Strange a> it may seem to you, for these rea-
Sons | am opposed to the cirll-rights bill in
| its present form.
| have very little time TO discuss this mat
| ter. and au compelled to contiue myself to Il
| few Of the prominent reasons which will
coutrol my action on this bill.
In the tirst place there is no power in the
Government to regulate social relations be.
tween its citizens, and any attempt to do
this 10y the Congress Of the United States
would result disa,trouSly to the Republican
party, which. in my judgment, would be Il
calamity, and your race would be the great
est sufferers.
The churches are the property Of private
citizens, built by subscriptions from lnul.
viduals, and, Therefore, do not come within
the purview OF Congressional legislation.
But I think the denial by church Of ad-
nptr a
sin that ere long will call down the curses
Of Providence upon the head OF all who
practice 1t.
1t is known to every intelligent person
that the white people bave large and in
crea>iny majority in Virginia, and in point
Of education and wealth are very far in ad.
vance of the colored population. 1t is also
known that there is an inveterate prejudice
entertained by very large majority OF tue
citizens against mixed schools. 1t Is equally
we'll known the school fund has been fairly
and impartially distributed; or, more cor
rect!r speaking, that the colored schools have
been literally cared for. Make it penal Of
fence 10 refuse to have universal schools,
and the Constitution and the laws will be-
changed, and the Legislature will. refuse to
appropriate money for the common schools.
Take care that in grasping at the shadow You
do not lose the substance.
The colored race have the right to build
churches and school-houSes, and to exclude
the white race theretrom, If they desire to
do so.
They have the right to exclude the white
people from their social gatherings, and they
have the same facilities for travelling in oil
public conyeyances. Then what rights
have my race that are not enjoyed by
yours:
lie, there be no antagonism between your
race and mine. Let US strive to encourage
kindly feelings and to forget the preJud,cess
engendered By the unfortunate and wicked
civil strife, and to this end let us try to stop
the agitation of the race question.
In the language of our great and wise
President, .'Let us have peace.'
Truly, your friend, JOHN f. LEWIS.