Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-06-16
CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.
sDeech of Hon. IL. Il. Butler, lii
the House of Representatives
June 9th. 1874.

MR.. BUTLER, of Tennessee. Mr..
Speaker, i beg the indulgence of the
House for few moments while [ pre-
sent my views on this important pro-
position, and when l say important, |
mean il in the broadcast sense of the
term I believe a more important
measure could not at preset como be-
fore Congress, one that will in my
opinion, if it should become a law and
be enforced, be attended by the very
worst results, and will disappoint the
friends of the measure and greatly in
lure those that were intended to he
benefited thereby. | regret that the
opposition to the bill was not charac-
terized by a better spirit, that some
gentlemen seized the opportunity in
discussing the bill to abuse aud at
tempt to cast odium upon the colored
race. | do not envy the head or heart
of any man here or elsewhere who eX-
hibits. to say the least. such bad taste,
and temper as to try directly or indi-
rrctly to cast reprOach upon the color
ed people of our country; they merit
no such treatment. None but a cold,
unfeeling, and might add unpatri0tic
man coul entertain such sentiments,
anu IllbN Az INV vi lllA IA lily
hIe oniEion to emanate from Amer
can legislators, AID | would be untre
to the colored people whom ! repre-
sent and have always stood 10y me If |
did not 50 characterize the We
should he governed in all things by
reason and judgment, and not 10y pre-
iudice and passion; and when states
men are making laws they should at
least make them good and Wholesome.
ito use an old-fashiOned term our fl
Tiers used
Now, Mr.. Speaker. will this bill if it
become law, work harm or good to
the American people, or especially to
those that it is intended to benefit
If believed that the law would have
the effect that some of the gentleman
upon this floor say it will, it would
afford me pleasure to vote for it. l
certainly can have no prejudice or
feeling against the colored race. l
would not do ole act knowingly that
would injure them in the least particu-
lar. / was born and reared in their
midst and have been identified with
the institution of slavery, and | AFRO
gate to myself that l know as much
about the cOlOred race as any living
man. | was his friend and advocate
in the war for the suppression OF The
rebellion. / voted To make him free
man; advocated and sustained all the
amendments TO the State and Federal
Constitutions for his Advancement and
protection. | have voted TO tax my
self and the other white people of my
county aud State for their education
aud | feel that l did my duty as good
citizen i'm the best interest of my coun-
try, looking to it present and future
success, / have no regret for what !
did for the colored race, and trust i
may never have cause to regret it.
Mr.. Speaker, would itnot he well for
MS to pause little and look the whole
ground over, and see whether were a
going to better the colored race by the
passage of this bill or whether we are
going TO strike blow that will greatly
retard their education and advance
ment? But we are told that the col
ored peonle demand it and are clama-
rous for il. do not believe It. ! am
satisfied that the colored people Of my
district do not want the school feature
of the bill, and l represent as intelli-
gent colored people rs there are TO Oe
found i'm the Southern States. Out OF
a federal population of about one hun
dred and forty thousand there are but
eleven thousand colOred, aud many oil
them educated and teaching colored
children. They are contented win
sending their children to their own
schools, and when they have not col
ored teachers they are satisfied win
competent white ones. Our people are
anxious to aid the colored people 10
educate their children with few eX-
ceptions. and these exceptions Will
soon disappear. Aly State did not. go
as far as l had desired or had hoped in
nrovidiny a common school fund for
The education of both white and color
ed but all things considered, did we'll.
The law setting apart the funds for the
education of our children makes nodis-
tinction OH account of color, although
the greater part comes from the whites.
I said the colored people of my dis
trict were content with their condl"
tion. | should have stated with few
executions, and | am sorry TO say that
these are what is known as ''smartles'
or "would-be" leaders. They are not
the most sensible or well TO do colored
neonIe Whenever we find an indus
dustrious, sensible. thrifty colored man
i'm nv country he tells you that he
wants no mixed schools; he wants no
more excitement between the whites
and his race; that he is content; that
a few years ago he and his wife ana
children were chattels; were denied
the right to learn to read, that they
might learn of their creation and have
at least some intelligent idea OF the
future They were not citizens; could
not testify against a white man; could
not sit on juries; could not hold offices
or vote. All these rights have teen
given them within ten years. Now
shall they demand additional rights
that will do their race no good ana