New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-06
BY TEL EGRAPH
CONGRESS.
House.

House.
WASHINGTON. January 5.-Tbere were no
bills of special importance to the South in
troducad.
Mr.. Wheeler, of New York, from the
Committee on Appropriations, reported the
army appropriation bill, appropliating
S2S,4i9,9l6, which was made the special or
der for Tuesday OF next week. The House
then resumed the consideration of the sup
Elementary civil rights bill.
Mr.. Frye, of Maine, said he had had
charge of a similar eill at the last Con-
gress, and was prepared to advocate it at
length, but he was SO convinced that the
bill commended itself to the great majority
of the House and the country, that he
would not occupy the time of the House.
but yield tae floor to Mr. Harris, of Vr-
ginia.
Mr. Harris, of Virginia, addressed the
House in opposition to the bill, contending
that Congress had no right to interfere
with the internal legislation of the States,
and that this bill would break up the pub
lie school system and the lunatic asylums
and other charitable institutions of the
South. He appealed to the House whether
anyone would contend that the negro was
the equal of the white man.
A cOlored member, MIR. Lynch, of Missis-
sippi rose in response to the challenge. but
Mr.. Harris, amid great laughter. declined
to yield to him, saying that he was address
ing himself to white men, and did not pro-
pose to let a negro interfere.
Mr.. Stephens, of Georgia, rose to address
the House. but said that he could not say
all he had to say in twenty minutes, and he
asked to have an hour allowed him.
MIR. E. II. Hoar objected, but subsequent
~ offered to withdraw the objection in the
case if the same privilege was granted to
Mr.. Elliott (colored), of South Carolina.
Then Mr.. Walls, Of Florida, also colored,
renewed the objection, but he, too, with
drew it.
Mr. Stephens then took his position in the
back part of the hall, on the Democratic
side, and proceeded to read his speech in
opposition to the bill, remarking that in
view of the great Importance OF the subject
he had reduced his views to writing. He
was not opposed to the bill because of any
opposition he had, but would do full aud
ample justice to every human being within
the legitimate jurisdiction Of the federal
legislative power.
The chief end of all government, whether
State or federal, should be the protection
of tho right. His opposition to the bill
sprung from no prejudice against any man,
woman or child within the limits of the
United States on account of race. color or
previous condition of servltude. He enter
tanned no feelings of that kind, and was not
governed in his action by any influence of
that sort.
His opinion of Justice aud its proper admin
istration was not founded on that dogma so
generally announced and 30 pernicious in
principle that it should be for the greatest
good of the greatest number. but on the
higher rule that it Should be for the greatest
good of all without detriment or Injury to
any.
While he did not hold the doctrine of the
equality of races, he did maintain the great
truth, however paradoxical it mi ht appear,
that all men were created equal. That
great truth has been announced first by a
council OF States on the fourth of July,
I76, but it was never meant to convey the
idea that all men were created equal N all
respects. physically, mentally aud morally.
1t was, however, meant to assert the greas
law of nature, that all men had an equal
right to justice and to stand perfectly equal
before the law.
! Ir proof of his Willingness to hate all tho
natural rights secured to the cOlored mane
he sent to the clerks desk and had rea d
extracts from addresses made by him to
the people of Georgia; but he was opposed
to the measure, or any one kindred to ito
because of the want of the necessary
power upon the part CT Congress under the
J constitutions
He assumed that every fnefnbcs would
admit the powers Of Congress were specific
and limited. and that all The legislative
powers which Congress could rightfulls > eX-
ercise were had by delegation from the
people of the several States, and he con-
tended that no new powers had been con-
ferred on Congress by either the fourteenth
or fifteenth amendments to the constitution.
The proper remedy was in the judgment
of courts to be rendered in such a way as
Congress should provide, declaring any
State act in violation of the rights of citizens
to be null and of no effect. He opposed the
bill further because of its ineXpedisncy
Even if the power was unGEestioncd in Con
gress to pass this law, he thought it would
be injudicious and unwlse to exercise it.
1t would be better to leave all such mate
ters to the State.
Mr. Stephens occupied the floor for an
hour and a quarter, having had his time
extended twice. AS usual, however, in the
case of q written speech, its delivery did
not command or receive the attention of the
House, The perOration was in these words:
If you who call yourselves Republicans
shall. in obedience TO what you consider a
party behest. pass this bill i'll the vain exc
pectaton that the republican principles of
the old and true Jeff-rsOnian school are
dead, be assured that your are indulging
fatal deluslops The old Jefferson Demo
cratic-R Republican principles are not dead,
and will never die so long as true devotee
of liberty lives They may be buried FOR
period, as the Magma Charta was trodden
under foot in England for more than half
century, but these principles will come up
with renewed energy, as did those of the
Magma Charta, and that, tOos at no distant
day.
The old .Ietfersonfan Democratic Repub-
lcan principles dead, indeedl When tho
tides of oceans cease to ebb aud flow, when
petual silence, when the clouds no longer
longer felt or heard, when her internal fires
go out, then, and not betOes will these
principles cease to live. Then, and not be-
fore, will these principles cease to animate
and move the liberty loving masses of this
country.
Mr. Ransier, of South Carolina, colored
member, followed ina written speech in
support of the bill, contending that there
was no practicable freedom in the Southern
States Tor the colOred people and would
not be as long as the matter was left to the
discretion of the several States.
Mr.. Mills, of Texas, opposed the bill as an
unauthorized and unconstitutional assump.
tion of power.
Mr.. Elliott, of South Carolina, obtained
the floor, but yielded to a ms ton for ad
journment
The Speaker laid before the House mes
sage from the President in reference to the
steamer Virginius. The message was read
and rererred to the Committee ON Foreign
Affairs.
The House then, at 4:4O P. NJ, adjourned.