Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-28

party purposes for special use on election
days. Some Of them, admit, have got
the idea of social equality in their heads
Pass this bill and it viii either prove
dead letter upon the statute-bOOk, or, if eff
! fectually enforced, then we shall have the
ultima thule Of these modern philanthrO-
phists and cphilists-sOcial equality.
Social equality means amalgamatiOn, and
that means moral and political decay.
Look abroad over the wide earth, and
wherever totally distinct races have ANAL
gamated, the issue has descended the stream
Of degeneracy with its long retinue Of ills,
until it reached extinction, the penalty
which nature imposes for the violation of
her laws. Death to the races is physio-
logical result, and along with it death to
the State; for, 'IWhat constitutes a State.
but men?" These are judgments from
which there is and ought to be no appeal.
We have right az our doors an illustration.
Unfortunate and unhappy Mexico, Aprey
to contending factions, whose motto is
plumber and rapine, they revel in the l1or-
rOrs of anarchy and misrule. Nationali-
ties have cOmmingled until almost the en-
tire population is mOngrel, and, at best,
Mexico is a nation of castles.
Sir, it is a fearful responsibility which
gentlemen assume, to force by Federal stat
ute, systems obnoxious to the people and
at war, as they believe, with the eonstitu-
ticn of the States. Such violent assump-
ton of power weaken the force and mai
esty of the laws, while its practical effect is
blighting upon the. cause of society and
progress generally. But if the only harm
TO result from this most unwelcome meas
ure were the wearing away of the rights
and privileges Of local State governments
by the abrasion of these FederaAstatutes Of
iron rule, and by the retrOgresSiOn of civil
liZatiOn which wall aSSuTedly follow, rs eff
feet follows a cause, serious as 1 regard
these evidences Of political degeneracy and
social disorder, there is still more imme-
date and irritating evil, which strikes di-
rectly at the peace and happiness Of the
people.
Under this bill any pOverty-stricken or
| impecuniOus cOlOred man who. being too
| lazy to earn an honest livelihood BY honest
! labor, can force out of others the money he
seeks by false swearing; the informant be-
| ing entitled TO One-half the fine ard the
Government to the other half, if the party
who is indicted is convicted. Now, the
half Of 5000 is no small sum TO be held
up rs a reward to perjury. And even should
there be no convictions, no fines or impris-
enments, DO not gentlemen see that a good
/ opportunity is afforded for eOIOred men, in
stigated bat too often by low, cunning and
/ vicious white men, backed by the mailed
hand Of the Government, to levy black
mail upon white citizens, in order to pre-
vent annoying and vexatiOuS lawsuits which
this most perniciOus law will spawn upon
the country?
May We not appeal to the distinguished
| gentleman from Massachusetts to desist in
further pressing this unnatural measure?
| Why not withhold all legislation upon
the subjects suggested in this bill, and let
the States enforce and protect the rights
of all its citizens by requiring that the
races be kept separate in all these matters
Of schools, churches, cemeteries, inns,
theatres and public carriers, by protecting
each race with equal laws, and requiring OF
each to keep alOOf from the other? The
bill in its present form is i direct and fatal
blow TO the harmony and order CT our fed
erative system, and is fraught, fear, with
the grayest results to the peace and WELL
being of society," law for which there is
no authority in the Constitution, and under.
which the States themselves viii be hui
inflated; a law against which the masses
Of the people Of all cOlOrs will protest, So
ciety demonstrate, civilization inveigh, and
nature herself rebel.