New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-08-06

| il is only few Democratic leaders and the
Democratic journals who make their living
by arousIng the dormant spirit of the unt on
cerned Democratic party. They arraign the
white man against the Republican party by
crying, "The inferior sons and daughters of
Ham will be placed in the same school Wi h
your fair sons and daughters :" and, "blinded
to their own interest," they invountarily
follow the advice Of those who are not liable
to feel the consequences of their own war;
like teaching. 1t is not our intention to force
ourselves into white schools and no other
place where We are liable to be made objects
of derision, yet we don't want the law to dis
eliminate against US, but allow us to Judge for
ourselves. How can our race improve when
the doors of every high school in the country
are barred against us? Can we become
proficient in science when the doors of scjen-
tific colleges are closed against us and we
are denied adniittance? Impossible! When
the colored youth and white youth are OBJ
liged to sit side by side in the same class, is
it any disgrace? think not for every one
admits "that men are created equal" and
no one can deny that they are equal eduea-
tionally, or they would not be in the same
class. Our political rights are protected in
every instance, and is it not important that
our civil rights should be protected also
Most certainly! Under the fourteenth
amendment to the Constitution of the United
States we are citizens, and our rights ought
to be protected by the laws of the United
States. There is no justice in a Government
in which the rights of a part of the citizens
are abridged. Are we to be citizens of this
glorious country and not be allowed to enjoy
the facilities and advantages of the country?
Justice cries against any such discrimination.
When it was first proposed to allow the col
ored man to vote the Democracy said it
would ruin the country" but it has proved
otherwise, and undoubtedly the civil rights
bill will do the same. The Southern white
and colored man will never be on friendly
terms politically until this question is settled.
The destiny Of the South is involved in every
election.
The Republican party strive to elect men
who are In favor of civil rights, and the
Democratic party strive to elect men who
are opposed to civil rights. Civil rights are
the only topic Of discussion, and the sooner
settled the better for the country. We have
all necessary rights included in the thirteenth
and fourteenth amendments, but the four
teenth is without enforcement. | sec no
need OF country having a law and it not
pyfn M
acknowledge that all laws ought to be en-
forced. Ifit is wrong to enforce them, it is
wrong to mako them.
Article XIV, section 5, says, "That Con-
srcss shall have power to enforce, by appro-
pirate legislation, the provisions Of this
Article, and why not enforce them? The
citizens Of the United States are willing to
acqu.esce to any reasonable law made by
Congress, though many emuous spirited
Democrats cries out unconstitutional"
The majority Of the Southern whites would
| cease to even think Of the bill were it not
| refreshed to their mind by few Democrats
| who have usurped leadership of that unfor-
| tunate party. There has been more peace
in our blessed State since the civil rights bill
became a law than ever before existed.
Every child enjoys an equal advantage of
| schools, and by general consent the schools
| are separate, and no one can cite one il
stance in which cOlOred person has
attempted to enter a white school. No
matter how intelligent a cOlored man is he
is subject to ostracism by the most ignorant
| and dirtiest white man that can be found,
and they are often sustained even by intel
ligent white men but if the law of the land
will prohibit all such, the intelligent aud
law abiding citizens will cease to sustain
such neiarious actions Of the lower classes.
1t is no comfort for us to travel, for we are
liable to be driven from car to car by no
higher authority than brakeman. When
we stop at cities we have to wander about
to find place to lodge, for We can't 60 to
the hotels under any circumstances, and are
more than apt to stop with persons of bad
character, as we are not likely to know the
people in many cities. l can't see why it is
that every measure in favor of the colored
people is opposed by the Democracy. Yet
they say that "the colored people ought not
to be led by pack Of Radical scoundrels. !"
Is it not natural for us to be led by men who
prove to be our friends? Nature answers
yes! But how can we put confidence in
men who are always using their strenuous
efforts against all measures that tend to the
promotion of our race? Reason answers
impossible! The colored man can never rest
contented until his rights are protected,
and when this is done We will be willing to
elect men upon their merits, and not for
"party sake.' We have seen so-called
"good Democrats" but never have we seen
. one that was so humane as to favor measures
pertaining to the welfare of our oppressed
race. FREEDMEN" we are called, but not
, TO enjoy our freedom unproscribed. "We
l have liberty" but not to go into cars of de-
cency, or other places we may desire. "Cit
izens," we are called, but not to enjoy the
, functions Of citizens.
Article XIV, section l, says: "All per
/ L. 4