New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-07-02
Civil Rights.

II the provisions OF the civil rights laws
OF that State regarding conveyances and
places OF public resort have not been so
rlgidly enforced, that other provision in re-
gard to the right of attendance in the public
schools has been. And as this is the feature
of the present bill that seems especially OBJ
noxious to many, 1 am glad we can show
such favorable results from our experience.
The school law attaches heavy penalties to
the refusal Of colored children admission into
any OF the public schools; some years ago it
was put in force against an opposition on the
part OF the press and white people that was
very strong, and especially In the city of
New Orleans. There the people were adj
vised by the opponents of the free schools
to take their children from them, and give
the schools over to the cOlOred children /;
every argument of prejudice and hate was
used to effect this, and with what result the
report of the board of school directors of the
city of New Orleans of as long ago as 1871
will show. In the report for that year made
to the State board of education by Judge
Henry c. Dibble, president of the city board,
the following in regard to enforcement of free
schools to all children of whatever color is
said:
The requirements of the school law have
been faithfully observed by the board, and
no case has come to their knowledge of the
exclusion of pupil on account OF race, color,
or previous condition. Nor has this strict
adherence to the law been attended by any
Of the unfavorable results so freely predicted,
in advance of the honest trial of an impartial
system of education. AS a general thing,
pupils have preferred to attend at schools
where their associates are of their own race,
but in the instances where, under the action
of the law, schools have to some extent be-
t,ival schools ,1iflsrIIltv iS aynpri-
enced. In one school where, under the pas
siOnate impulse Of the moment, the whole
number of white children was withdrawn
because Of the admission of colored pupils,
they have returned to their places, and the
school is proceeding harmoniOusly.'
"This shows the effect of impartial schools
in the city Of New Orleans, and such was
the result all over the State as is shown by
the report of superintendent and school
directors at that time. Since then, although
there has been an OCCASIONAL growl in the
press, the people have seen the practical
workings of such system, and are satisfied,
and instead of the schools being destroyed
as it was asserted then they would be, Just
as 1t is now they will be in Virginia and Ten
nessee, they have increased and prospered
till to-day there is ten times at least the
number of public schools in the State that
there was before the passage of the law.
And, sir, that State has had at the head of
its schools as State superintendent of educa-
cation since the LIST of January, 1873, col
Ored man, a gentleman in the true sense of
the word, and one whose energy, varied ac-
complishments, and thorough education
peculiarly qualify him for the duties of his
position. Under his charge the schools of
the State are more prosperous than ever be-
fore, the only drawback being the want OF
means to place them on an equal footing with
those Of more favored communities. If my
time would admit | woul like to read to the
House few of the many complimentary no.
tees from Democratic papers of this colored
superintendent of education, but will con-
tent myself by saying that he has performed
his trying duties in such manner as to gain
the respect and disarm the prejudice Of all
his political enemies.
"Now, in regard to our civil rights and
school laws in that State, | have given the
evidence of the friends Of these measures
| 1t was charged that the enforcement of the
school law would destroy our schools; have
shown it has had just the opposite effect
With this example before their eyes how cal
gentlemen from the States of Virginia, NOrtl
Carolina, or Tennessee with any degree o
| consistency assert that the passage of the
law will injure their public schools in those
| OIdtcS. oulcly tHc vi LOUISVILLE
IS SUFFICIENT IN convince the most ,SkeptlcIl
| But desire to place before the House the
evidence of a class of our citizens there who
have always opposed these measures; al
least they did so till year or more ago
| About year ago a movement for what was
called the unitcation of the people of Lou
isiana was started in New Orleans. A com.
mittee of one hundred leading men of the
two races were appointed to prepare resolu
I, Il 30, Il
called for the 18th of July, 1873. This com
mittee adopted series of resolutions anC
published them in the papers, over their sig
natures and those of several thousand of the
wealthest merchants, bankers, and others
| Of that city, ndOrsing the sentiments of the
| resolutions in the call for the mass meeting
| 81 quote at some length from these resO.
lutions, and ask the careful attention of the
House to their hearty Endorsement of all civil
rights to colored citizens. They are as fol-
lows:
| Resolaed, That henceforward we dedicate
ourselves to the unifcation of our people.
RESOLVED, That by sour people" we mean
all men of whatever race, color, Or religion
who are citizens OF Louisiana, and who are
willing to work for her prosperity.
| RESOLVED, That we shall advocate by speech
and pen and deed the equal and impartial ex.
ercise by every citizen of Louisiana of every
civil and political right guaranteed by the
| Constitution and laws of the United States
and by the laws Of honor, brotherhood and
fair-dealing.
| Resolred, That we shall maintain and advo
cate the right of every citizen of Louisiana
and of every citizen of the United States, tC
frequent at will all places of public resort
and to travel at will on all vehicles of pnbli(
conveyance upon terms of perfect equality
with any and every other citizen: and we
pledge ourselves, so far as our influence
counsel, and example may go, to make this
right live and practical right and thai
there may be no misunderstanding of oul
views on this point
| First. We shall recommend to the propre.
tors Of all places of licensed public resort in
| the State of Louisiana the opening of sale
places to the patronage of both races inhab.
iting our State.
Second. And we shall further recommend
that all railroads, steamboats,, steamships
and other public conveyances pursue the
same policy.
| Third. We shall further recommend that
our banks, insurance offices, and other public
corporations recognize and concede to oul
colored fellow-citizens, where they are stock.
holders in such institutions, the right of being
represented in the direction thereof.
| CVutUus VIC Sudll lurIIcT CUat
| hereafter no distinction shall exist among
citizens Of Louisiana in any of our public
schools or State institutions Of education, OF
| in any other public institutions supported by
the State, city, or parishes.
| Fifth. That we pledge our honor and good
faith to exercise our moral influence, both
through personal advice and personal exam
pie, to bring about the rapid removal of all
prejudices heretofore existing against the
cOlOred citizens of Louisiana. in order that