Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-04-15
SENATOR BRowNLow ON CIVIL RIGHTS
." AGAIN.

AGAIN
Senator Brownlow has written a letter
to the Maryville Republican on the civil
rights bill, which we give below:
Sometime since gave public expression
to certain views entertained by me in re-
gard to the practical workings fMr. Sum-
ner's "Civil Rights Bill"
What l then said, has, in some instances
since, been wholly misinterpreted, and, as
ID seems in fact misunderstood by some
very intelligent gentlemen of the political
press.
From the comments contained in vari-
Gus publications, the inference might well
be drawn that had arrayed myself against
the colored race-an inference which | do
not elect to pass unchallenged. That the
colored people are entitled to equality be-
fore and in the purview of the law Is one
of, 1.-THE self-evident truth" recognized
in our American system of government.
At the same time all human affairs, and
especially organized society among men,
does not in all instances depend upon abb
stract rights, but must in material sense
become dependent upon the practicability
of the enjoyment of such rights. When L
declared myself opposed to Mr.. Summers
"Civil Rights Bill" it was not the prompt
ings of opposition to, or prejudice for, the
the colored man in his onward struggle in
the achievements of manhood. Not at all.
1t was intended as an appeal to the intelll-
gence of the colored race, in regard to the
| inlprdcticd6le character of the measure.
And here, let me say, that one main rea-
son for opposing the Civil Rights Bill " on
account of the school clause it contains, is
| for the purpose of protecting the colored
people, and disarming their enemies.
1t will be remembered that for years an
terror to the late civil war, the Disunionists
of the South were in the constant habit of
| predicting a coming revolution, superin-
duced, as they alleged, by the abolition ia
ndticisnl of the North; and having thus
engaged in the work of prophecy, labored
with almost a superhuman diligence and
consummate tact to drawforth evidences and
bring about the evils of which they made
| complaint. Who does not recollect the
| turbulent provocation on the part of South
ern members of Congress, intended for no
other purpose than to elicit something from
the lips of the people of the North, which
| they might take up and rehash in the work
of "firing the Southern heart" Who
does not recall the pretexts on which the
Confederacy was sought to be reared
Who does not know the history and in
stincts of Southern Democracy? And who
| but would gladly turn from the tricks by
which the country was plunged into war,
revolution, bloodshed, and temporary
ruin? But the war ended in emancipa-
ton and freedom, and the same men who
had previously predicted Disunion, and
labored to bring it about, again assumed
the prophetic Office in the way of foretell'
ing a war of races that must inevitably
follow. Having in the latter instance, as
in the first, predicted the evil of a war o.
races, the kuklux portion of the Democracy
are more than anxious to see it inaugura
tod I'D h@u erIa thnxv oivf
upon any plausible preteXt to prove theil
prophecies correct. Hence, l opposed the
passage of the "Civil Rights Bill" will
the "mixed school" clause, fully believing
that the Democracy would use it to the in
S be 9AeEad gRfSPe a and s Mt be fsht
or aid in fastening about them solitar;
weight.
Believing the masses of the whites I'M
prepared, so far as the South is concerned
for this advanced measure, and judging tn,
: future by the past also, believing that thu
Democracy-a portion of it at least-woulC
make such law inlOrocticdble, and use it a
pretext for general kukluxing of thos,
of the colored race who might seek to avail
, themselves of its supposed advantages,
declared myself opposed to the measure
And because of this opposition / find my
self being written down as not only thu
common enemy of the colored race, but a
! |
transportation, +" etc. Such views neve
for moment entered my mind Thi
; country is alike the home of the white ant
colored.
j, Whatever might be the effects of such
law, as that sought to be consummated b,
Mr.. Summers Bill, in those States wher
2 the colored people are in the ascendency
e it would most certainly, in my judgment
have the practical result of destroying, TO
: the time at least, the free school system il
l Tennessee, and other States in like politi
t cal condition of sentiment.
t Thus, reason, it is better for the races
O both white and colored, that for the pres
ent, no question should be obtruded, calcu
: lated in its nature to mar the harmony an
progress of the Common Schools of tn
South, in which they have such immens
i interests involved.
. The other features of the bill, with
-. common sense construction, are by n
,, means obnoxious to severe criticism if an
II whatever.
It For reasons satisfactory to myself l as
n you 10 give place, in your valuable paper
;, TO these brief suggestions, feeling as / dc
i that you are true friend of the Republ
d can party, its unity, and continued success
i as well as the prosperity and elevation {
n the colored race.
- Very respectfully,
y Your friend,
l. w. G.. BRowELow.
IS PRESTO CHANGE