Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-06-16

of Independence, that all men were
born free aud equal, and they felt that
it was their duty to make good that
declaration and place all the citizens
upon the one grand, broad platform
and that was done by giving the col
ored man his oath, by making him a
juror, by permitting him to sue and to
be sued, by giving him his vote in all
elections and right to be voted for,
by providing him with good schools
for his children and paving for them
out of the common treasury. All these
rights and immunities were cheertuIly
accorded to him by the re Jublican p ,r;
ty. While they were offered by many
of our best citizens and thought not to
be for the best interests of both races,
they acqulesced in them and had al
most ceased opposition and the two
races we've i'm harmony; and am
proud to say in my district there is no
persecution of the colored race and all
parties are anxious that no further ag-
itation would be brought about upon
the rights of the respective races. !
certainly had hoped that we had
crossed the Rubicon, that the excite
ment had subsidized, and all was har-
moniouS; but in that I was mistaken,
that additional trouble at least for the
cOlored people was about to be forced
upon them by those claimed to be their
friends par excellence. but who fear
will prove their enemies.
Mr. Speaker | think that our repub-
lican friends are mistaken i'm urging
the passage of this bill. [ accord to
them honesty Of intention. but mista-
ken judgment. But do believe that
some Difference should be shown Rep
resentatives OH this floor who certain
ly have better means of knowing the
results of this law than those who live
in localities where there are but very
few cOlored people. Their standpoint
are not as good as those who come
from such districts as the one repre-
sent; and while / do complain of the
manner and language used by several
gentlemen on the democratic side of
the House toward the colored people. |
think some of my side of the House
have a little too much gall toward
those who were in the rebellion.
The time had come when bad feeling
and exciting epithrts should he heard
and exhibited no more. Let us forget
the past. 1t has no pleasant memories
to either side. Lost friends, ruined
fortunes, and blasted hopes, emaciated
forms, broken constitutions. and divi-
ded families, all tell of fruitless effort
to pepetuate human slavery in an age
when the civilized world revolted at
the idea.
D, let us forget the past and direct
our thoughts to the present and great
future, and look at our great national
~, Il Ia I Mt haalt
great nation, with thirty seven States
and ten Territories and two of the
Territories asking to he admitted 10
the sisterhood of States, and Il busy
prosperous population of forty mil
lions, not only commanding the re-
spect of the world hut feared by all
tie nations of the earth. who not
century ago were the vass;,ls of the
mo HEREOF II nv. Let us low" our cOun-
try, and teach our children to love it
for its greatness and its free institu-
tons Il country, where the humbleat
of the humble. where the poorest ofihe
poor, may aspire to he its Chief Mag
istrate or become its law makers Il
Cove nment able 20 preserve its re-
publican existence against foreign in
VasiOn or domestic inSurrectlOn. No
toriouS for its m%gnanimOus dealings
with its domestic enemies, and not un-
mindful of its four millions of colored
people who were but a few years since
in bondage. 0, then, let us be united
upon AL questions that will add to our
cOuntry's gOOdl.e and greatness; lei
us not pass laws 10 divide and distract
our people let the cOlored people live
in the land Of their fathers {; let them
enjoy their rights as citizens but let
us also remember we have the two m
ces that we must legislate for both.
that our legislation must be with
view to harmony, peace, fraternal
feeling, and good will to all. Let these
things characterize our legislation, and
it will rebound to the best interests
both of white and black.
But, Mr.. Speaker, it has been said
that if / vote against tie civil-rights
bill that / will not be returned to Con-
gress that my colored friends will not
sustain me. Sir, that has no terrors for
me. l will do what believe to be
my duty, not only to the blacks but
to the whites. l am not the represent
tative of one race. / was chosen to
represent the whole people of my dis
trict, race. color; or party affiliations.
That duty have and will perform /
may not perform it with satisfaction 10
all, but it shall be with firmness and
independence. If my colored friends
desert me, they desert a man who has
stood by them in many hard fought
contests for the rights and privileges
they now enjoy, and to-day | am
pleading for them, and asking Con-
gress not to inflict this great wrong
upon them and upon the poor white
people of my State. / am their best
friend, if they desert me, where and to-
whom will they go? do not believe
they will do any such thing. They
are as a class true and grateful. ana
while one here and there may be found
to do so that wants to be leader in
the colOrsd ranks, or some hypocriti-
cal preacher, the great mass of them
will do as they have done, stand by
me and show their gratitude toward
one that desires their prosperity and
the education of their little children
But if i'll this am mistaken. and the
cOlOred man prefers a further agita
ton of the question of his rights, and
prefers excitement, bad blood, and
feeling. and is not satisfied with my
vote on this question, then [ will APP
peal to my own race to vindicaie tie
rectitude of my course, trusting to time
TO convince all that what 1 may have
done in the premises was not out of
malice or hatred to any, but in the
firm belief before God and my coun-
try that the happiness, peace, prosper
ity, and education of both races will be
promoted and guaranteed by the
course | have chosen. If i'm this / am
mistaken. it is an error of judgment
and not of intention.
Mr.. Speaker, since / have been
member of this House on all occasssODs
| have endeavored TO do my duty TO
the people who sent me here. l have
done what l believed would redound
to the best interests of my people,
My political status never was dodb;ed.
| have always been true and firm to
my principles and party. / never oc-
cupied a questionable position. My
party always knew where ! was .po-
litically. My opponents never had
the least doubt of my Opinions as ex-
oil I