Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-06-15

PARIS, June IA constitutional bill pre-
pared BY the Left Centre will be introduced in
the Assembly TO- morrow, and "urgehcy' will
be demanded for it, Whether au all.ance has
been effected between the l. fl aud Right Cen
tres cannot be known until the bill reaches
vote The moderate Lett will support the mo-
ton for urgency, Notwithstanding its aniipathy
to a Reorganization of the Assembys coustitu-
tioual powers because it desires to secure
some defence for the Republic against the Bo-
napartist
Clemenceau has again challenged Cassagnac
for insinuatng that he was coward and bad
acted dishonorabIy, and proposes duel be
tween ten Republicans and ten Bonapartist de-
puties. Cassagnac replies contemporary that
he will fight nobody but Gambetta, and that
Bopapartist Deputies cappol accept challenge.
The Government has taken vigorous steps
for the suppression of both Ronapartist and
Radical agitation 10 the barracks. The police
have closed the Cafe del Opera on the Boule-
ward Hausmann because it was the rendezvous
Of the Bouapartists.
LONDON, June Is 6 a. m.-rhe Paris cor
respondent of the Tune telegraphs that the
votes in the Assembly for and against the Left
Centre constitutional bill to-day will be about
equal in number. Fifty or sixty members Of
the Right Centre are undecided. II the run
or that these D, pules will abstain from voting
is true, the Left Centre will probably be sue
cessful.
The proposed bill has three articles. The
first provides that the government shall consist
of Senate and Chamber OF Representatives
and the President of the Repuhllc the second
confirms Marshal MacMahon's Presidency un
til 1880; the third provides for partial or to-
tai revision of the Constitution by such cou
stitutiooal bill as may be hereafter submitted
THE CIVIL RIGITrs BILL Letter fran Hon.
j. f. LeUiS, Of Eryiniu. The following let
ter from Mr. John +. Lewis, Of Virginia, 90
the civil rights bill, has been made public 1t
is as follows:
Scrern Wilkins, esq My Dear Sir: Your
letter of the 18th lust. is before me. You ask,
SIS there any possible chance for cur civil
rights bill this session." would have given
your letter earlier attention but from the fact
that | was absent from the city when it ar
rived.
It is hardly necessary that should say to the
people OF Virginia that | am true and sincere
friend of our colored citizens, and desire to see
them protected 10 all civil, religious, and politi-
cal rights without inviduus distinctions Of any
kind. l am DESTROYS to see them provided
with the means OF acquiring educatlou-a bless
ing so long. dened them by the laws of the
Southern States. Strange as it may seem to
you, for these reasons L aDl opposed 10 The
civil rights bill in its present form.
| have very little time to discuss this matter,
and am compelled to con6ue myself to a few Of
the prominent reasons which will coutrul my
action on this bill.
T. IL c.,
government to regulate social relations between
its citizens. aud any attempt to do this ty the
Congress of the United States would result dis
astrously to the republican party, which, in my
Judgment, would be- calamity, and your race
would be the greatest sufferers.
The churches are the property Of private cit
liens, built by subscriptions from individuals,
aud, therefore, do not come within the purvicw
Of Congressional legislation. But. think the
denial. by church, Of admission to any race,
not only wrong, but sin that ere long will call
down the curses of Providence upon the head
Of all who practice it.
1t is known to every intelligent person that
the white people have large and Increasing
majority in Virginia. and 10 point OF education
aud wealth are very lar in advance OF the col
ored population. 1t is also known that there is
an inveterate prejudice entertained by very
large minority of the citizens against mixed
schools. It is equally we'll known the school
fund has been fairly and impartIally di,trbu
ted; or more correctly speaking, that the col or
ed schools have been literally cared for Make
it penal offcnse to refuse 10 have universal
schools, and the constitution and the laws will
be changed and the Legislature will refuse to
appropriate money for the couimon schools
Take care that in graspng at the shadow you
do not loose the substance.
The colorcd race have the right to build
churches and school houses, and TO exclude the
white race thercfrom, if they desire to do so.
They have the right to exclude the white
people from their social gatherings, and they
have the same facilities for travelling in all
public couveyaoces. Then what rights have
my race that arc not enjoyed by yours?
Let there be no autagoosm between your
race and mine. Let US strive to encourage
kindly feelings aud to forget the preiuJices Gu
gendered by the unfortunate and wicked civil
strife, and to this end let US try to stop the ag-
talion Of the race question.
10 the language OF our great and wise Pres-
dent. ''let us have peace.
Truly your friend, JOHN +. LEWIS.
BALTIMORE AND Potomac RAILRoAD.-At
tbo animal rppatirp of Ihp stuck holders Of the