New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-07-09

unjust determinations have been practiced
against the colored people-where they have
been denied school advantages-the material
interests of those sections have suffered
The Southern people are not blind to TINS
fact. q :.
q In the State of Georgia, where unjust dis
examinations have been practiced against the
colored people, and where they have been
denied school advantages and other privileges
of citizenship, there has been tide OF emil
grafton from the State. The cOlOred people
who constitute the mass of the laboring class
es, are leaving that State, and migrating to
those sections Of the country where their
rights are protected, and educational facilities
are provided. Therefore if by no higher mo-
tive, the southern people will be governed by
their self interest, and will continue to foster
a system of public schools. They recognize
the fact, that under the new order ofgovern-
ment, their property, and their personal in
terests, are in the hands of an ignorant popu-
lace. They recognize the fact, that the great
interests of society, under a form of govern.
ment like ours, depend upon the virtue and
intelligence of the people. That in proper
ton as the people are educated, the State will
prosper and the general welfare ofthe people
be secured
Now, sir, in the State of Mississippi we have
a system of public schools, and under the law
regulating the system, the children OF the
cOlored man can enter the school where white
children are taught. We have in that State
probably one Of the finest colleges in the
South, an institution which has been for many
years the pride of the Southwest refer to
Oxford University-and to-day, the son OF
the black man can enter the halls of that in
stitution under the laws of our State.
But, sir, with this law, with these prOvi-
sions, and with civil-rights law on our
Statute books passed two years ago, more
stringent in its provisions than the one that
is before us to-day, not one instance has come
to my knowledge where cOlOred man has at
tempted to enforce the law in this respect.
The colored people asked for the establish
ment of a similar university, and the State
granted it. The colored man of the South
understands and appreciates the situation.
All he asks and wants, is, that there shall be
no discrimination against him, that there
shall be no legislation based upon color, tend
ing to debase and degrade him on account of
his color or previous condition. He asks sim
ply, that he shall be placed upon the same
footing with the white man, and his own good
sense teaches him to adapt hmscfto the cir
cumstances. The humblest and the most ig-
norant colored man in the South, if he has
not an idea above the one he yields, appre-
ciates fully the situation, and will not attempt
to force himself into a position where he is to
| become the victim ofprejudice. AS a citizen
| of the United States he is entitled to equal
protection under the law that no legislation
whether it be by the State, or by the Nation
! al Government, can under the Constitution
| discriminate against him on account of his
color.
Gentlemen say, that ifequal advantages in
| separate schools are provided, the law is met,
so far as privileges and immunities are con-
cerned. l say that whenever a State shall
| legslate that the races shall be separated,
and that legislation is based upon color or
race, there is distinction made discrlmi-
nation, the intent Of which, is to foster a
concomitant of slavery. The cOlored man
understands and appreciates his former con-
ditiOn and when laws are passed that say,
because you are black man you shall have
a separate school," he looks upon that, and
justly, as tending to degrade him."
believe that the country to-day and a ma
jority Ofthe American Senate are satisfied that
we have the right under the Constitution to
pass this enforcement law; and, with this
conviction shall support the measure. shall
vote against the amendment suggested by the
Senator from Massachusetts. Mr.. BOUT
]
| want every college, and every institution Of
learning in this broad land to be open to
every citizen, and that there shall be no dis
elimination. l want Harvard to throw open
her doors, and Dartmouth to do the same
thing. | desire to see such legislation as
shall require every institution of learnin!
which is supported in whole, or in part, by
taxation or by public endowment, to give t.
every citizen equal privileges and equal right.
in those institutions. l am therefore, op-
posed to that amendment.
In conclusion, L appeal to the Senate in
behalf offour millions ofcitizens of the United
States whose rights and immunities are
abridged in many Of the States. The people
of the State have the honor to represent in
this Senate, desire that when they pass be-
yond the limits of their own State they shall
not be subjected TO indgnities upon railroads
steamboats,, or the highways on account
of color they ask such legislation by Con-
gress as will afford the protection guaranteed
to them in the Constitution. 1 should prove
recreant to the trust imposed on me if 1 failed
to urge the adoption, and vote for this mea.
sure.