New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-16
K24y 83O
PEHDEu CE,

HPoalTIQAI 8QUaII1Y And eOMAlA0R-
PEHDENCE.
The bequest of Hon. Charles Sumner
to the Republican party involves re-
sponsibility, but implies discretion.
The theory Of political equality implied
the abolition of all legal obligations which
gives the one man power over the acts OF
another. Every Republican acknewl-
edged the justice Of this as an abstract
principle, and when the fesulsts OF the
war broke the chains Of the slave all were
alike determined they should pevef again
be riiveted upon him. To this extent the
Republican party was unit with fne'
Abolitionists. When, however, it is pro-
posed to pass the limits OF political
equality and compel one political equal
to accept the companionship Of an
other, then any act which enforces COM
pulsory association becomes violation
of the principles of equality. For while
one man is the equal Of any other man
who has to fight the battles or give the
votes of society, there can be no reason
why this equality should handcuff one
man to another in other relations OF
society, which can in no manner affect the
political equality of one man to another.
It is this claim of right by ecclesiastics
to compel uniformity in religious opinion.
aud to compel all men to occupy sitt1ngs
in the same church which has occasioned
so much strife. Each man has right to
worship after his own fashion and in such
society as he pay prefer, nor has any
government the right to compel one man
to pay tithes to dispense. doctrine he
does not believe, or to place his children
where they may hear faith which their
father processes treated as blasphemys
Such is our distinction between the
right Of political equality and the equal
right of social independence. Mr.. Sum-
ner lived e see the one enacted and en-.
forced throughout the Union. His friends
seem disposed to maintain the adoption
and enforcement of the other.
Among the various causes assigned for
the defeat Of the Republican candidates AZ
the fall elections is alleged to have been
the text Of the civil rights bill, which
enacts the compulsory intermixture Of the
two races in place Of public assemblage.
Whatever may have been the force OF
this bill, it seems to have been
regarded by the Committee on the
Judiciary in the House Of Representatives,
as worthy legislative consideration An
amendment by way of substitute for the
civil rights bill was offered by q member
from Alabama. It Was discussed in
formally, and upon vote taken it appear.
ed that the members from Alabama. Wis.
consin. Indiana, New York and Illinois
voted for, and the members from Massa-
chusetts. New York, Maine and Pennsyl-
vania voted against it. Here was a ma
jority Of one vote fos reporting the sub
stitute, two members absent. The bill
and substitute were referred to a sub.
, committee who will frame a measure for
tho consideration Of the House. Here.
then. is an issue distinctly made upon the
principal feature Of the civil rights
bill. We will quote tie substitute so
far as i: qualities the text Of the bill
voted on at the last session. Reciting
s'thas all persons within the Jurisdiction
Of the United States shall be entitled to
the full and equa, enjoyment of the &C.
commodations. advantages, facilities and
privileges Of inns, public conveyances on
land and water. theatres and places Of
public amusement, and also Of common
schools and public institutions Of learn
ing Of benevolence supported in whole or
in part by general taxation. subject alone
to the conditions and limitations estab.
lished by law and applicable alike to citi.
zens Of every race and color, regardless Of
any previous condition Of servitude.
Provided, that nothing in this act shall
be construed to require mixed accommo.
dations, facilities and privileges at inns,
in public conveyances on land and water.
theatres OF other places Of public amuse.
ment. such separate accommodations.
facilities and privileges being equal in
equipment and Kind for persons Of
every race and color. regardless Of
any previous condition of servitude.
shall be entitled to certain rights Of use
in the public establishments Of comfort,
amusement and instruction, as enumer-
ated in the text. The substitute provides
that 'rhere shall be no obligation to pro-
vide mixed accommodations at such
places, nor to prohibit separate accom-.
modations for persons Of different races,
such accommodations being as good for
one class or race as for another" It also
provides that 'there shall be no obligation
to provide mixed accommodations at