New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-12
CIVI- LIGHTS.
spec Oh Of Hon Ai"nZO j. Rans!ev,
or Snnsh Carolina, is the House
of Representatives.. Satur0 ~,
February q, 1874,

or S0ush Carolina, isl the House
of Representatives.. SaturN ~,
February Z, 1874.
debate only, having under consideration the bill
for the protection OF all citizens in their civil and
legal rights
Mr.. RANSIER said:
Mr.. SPEAKER: But for some remarks
made by the gentleman from Georgia, [Mr.
HARRIs,) the gentleman from North Caro-
lima, Mr.. ROBBINs,] and the gentleman
from New York, our learned and genial
friend, Mr.. Cox during the protracted de-
bate on civil rights, made before and SUBJ
sequent to the recommittal of the bill on
the subject to the judiciary Committee,
which in my judgment calls for specific re-
ply, would not again ask the attention and
Indulgence of the House for myself.
Statements have been made by one or Ill of
these gentlemen and others who oppose such
a bill, as many of us think ought to pass, that
ought not to 60 the country uncontradictcd,
and a condition of affairs pictured by them
as likely to follow its enactment into law,
which if true, or likely to occur, ought to go
far toward the defeat of such a measure. If,
on the other hand, these statements are
shown to be untrue and to rest upon no foun-
dalton in point of fact, aud that the enact
ment of such law by Congress will be of
benefit to all classes of our people and pro-
motive of the ends of justice, Of concord,
and harmonious relationships, as we think
we can show, then we cannot pass this meas
ure day too soon.
M. Speaker, this measure has been pre-
seds0d to us in mastery efforts in its consti-
slider it now in the light of practical state
manshp. We are asked to consider what
would be the effect of its operation as to
our school system and upon the relationships
between the races. TO these inquiries l
propose to address myself as briefly as pos
| sible; and to this end ask the indulgence of
the House.
Before proceeding desire to express my
regret that anything should have occurred
calculated to create ill-feeling between MEM
bers of this House during this debate, and
which the press of the country has character
lied as contravenng the legitimate limits of
parliamentary courtesy.
1t were Ear better if grave questions such
as are involved in the consideration of a
measure like this could be discussed in spirit
OF fairness, and without passion or indul-
gence in such illusions as are calculated to
give Ofiense to members personally. Each
OF the friends of the measure, however, can
say truthfully, "Thou canst not say, did
it: never shake thy CORY locks atmc."
Mr.. Speaker, the honorable gentleman
from Georgia, [Mr. HARRIs,l in his speech
on the bill, said:
II am satisfied, MIR. Speaker, that very
large majority Of the Republican members
OF this House do not understand the true
condition of affairs in the South. For il
they did, and are sincere in their avowals OF
solicitude for the welfare of the country,
and especially for the prosperity and adj
vancement of the colorcd race, am very
sure that they would indicate it in some bet
ter way than the adoption of legislative en-
actments which in my Judgement, when tried
will not only prove unacceptable to the
masses of colOrcd people at the South, but
alike destructive of the harmony and great
interests of both races"
Now, sir, am sure that a very large ma.
jority OF the Republican members of this
House do know the true condition of affairs
in the South, hence the desire on their part
for the passage of such measure. AS to
the remark that such enactmcnts, "when
tried, will not only prove unacceptable to
the masses of colored people at the South,
but alike destructive of the harmony and
great interests Of both races" he evidently
misunderstands the situation himself. He
is not the only member who has said during
this debate that the colored people, the
masses of them, arc not asking for the pass
age Of such a bill. Thes, gentleman from
Texas suggested the same thing.
THE CoI.oRED PEOPLE UNIT FOR CIVIL
| RIGHTS.
Mr.. Speaker, there are organizations in
nearly every State in the Union the object
of which, in part at least, is to endeavor to
secure for the colorcd people of the country
their equal rights. They have been asking
this of the country, through individuals with
delegated authority to act, through State and
county organizations, and through national
conventions assembled for the purpose. In
this connection I quote from the journal OF
the proceedings of the convention of col
October Is, 1871; which convention was
composed Of regularly elected delegates from
nearly every Southern State:
"To the people cf Tie United States Of america.
'FELLOw-CITIZENs The colored people
of the States Of Alabama, Arkansas, Della
ware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisi-
ana, Maryland. Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the
District of Columbia, have delegated to us,
their representatives, assembled in cOnven-
ton authority to give expression to their pur-
poses, desires, and feelings, in view of the
relation they sustain to the Government and
people of the United States, under the
course of events that has arisen since, and
as consequence of, the war of rebellion.
We owe to Almighty God and the spirit
of liberty and humanity that animates the
great body of the people of this country the
personal liberty and the rights of citizen
ship that we enjoy, and shall, under the
prOmptings of duty, labor for the permanencc
and perfection of the institutions that have
served as the great instrument of CONSUME
mating this act of justice.
In seeking more perfect recognition as
members of the great political family to
which the interests of humanity have been
peculiarly committed, we desire to receo-
nize our obligations and responsibilities as
members of this great family, and to assure
the American people that we stand amonu
them imbued with a national spirit, with con,
| fidence in and devotion to the principles of
| representative popular government, and with
| ideas of policv that embrace every individual
and interest of our common country.
We ask of you that you will give to the
Government the fullest measure of moral
support, to enable it to complete that which
is so auspiciously begun, and that minor
differences Of sentiment and policy may be
hushed while the nation is gathering up its
strength to purge the land of the foulest
crimes by the sword Of justice. When the
nation was threatened with division, political
differences yielded to the necessity of MAIN
tanning its territorial integrity. Now, that
it is again threatened from the vortex of
passion and crime affiliated, let the same de-
votion to right and justice induce equal
efforts to preserve its moral integrity.
While there remains anything to be &C.