The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-18
The 9 9ailgg Areas.
CIVIL RIGHTS TN GEORGIA.
A. Il. Stephens and couple of Friends
Marched Out of a Colored Car.
From the Atlanta (Ga.) Herald.

From tho Atlanta (Ga) Herald.
On the upward bound train on the Ma
con 4 Western Division of the Central
Railroad from Griffin. yesterday, were the
Hon. A. FL. Stephens. Col. Clisby, OF the
Macon Telegraph, and that fine old gentle
man, Col. Cincinnatus Peoples, of this city.
As usual with Mr.. Stephens, he took what
he thought the second class car, so that he
could indulge in his pipe and conversation
without offense to any one. Everything
went pleasant enough, because nobody
thought anything was wrong. Pretty soon
an old blind negro man, with his wife, en-
tered the car and seated themselves. Moth
ing was thought of this proceeding, and
the vice president, editor and lawyer were
| making themselves as comfortable as the
condition of that road would permit. 1t
was noticed that the car in question was of
a new finish, handsomely upholstered, and
very neat. The surprise of the whole par
ty may be imagined when the conductor
came along and very plainly told these dis
tinguished gentlemen that they must get
out, as that car was provided solely for
colored people. and white folks were not
permitted to ride in there.
Then the "Great Commoner" and Mr.
Clisby and Col. Peoples looked at each 9TH
err, and then at the conductor Mr.. Clisby
undertook to smile, and Col Peoples looked
confused. Mr.. Stephens, always equal to
any emergency, looked monstrous wise at
Mr.. Clisby and Col. Peoples, scratching
his head, said: well. Mr.. Clisby,I have
lived long time; l have always endeav-
ored to tote fair with my fellow-man;
pay my honest debts, and love my coun-
try, but Inever expected to witness this
scene"
Mr.. Clisby replied that God in His in
scrutable wisdom had permitted him to live
out the time allotted to most men; that he
had successfully conducted one of the best
daily papers in Georgia for years: that bis
conscience was clear and his health good.
He had by uniform good conduct and ur-
banity of manners won the respect and es-
TEEN of the entire southwest portion of
the state, yet, now, at this late day, he was
forced to leave a car because he was not
considered as good as blind niger
| Mr.. Stephens who had at the intlmation
grabbed his crutches, and was making an
abortive attempt to rise, remarked to Col.
Peoples, in his peculiar and feminine voice
Gentlemen, you know me. The world
knows me. have been successful school
teacher, and have attained some notoriety
at the bar. / have served my state in the
councils of the nation. | have been vice
president of the Confederate States Of
America the most brilliant galaxy of con
federate stars that ever shone in the frma
) ment of nations. [ have successfully
stood" twice for congress in my district
and am now on an errand of mercy, having
, been to Griffin to address the State Asso
citation of Teachers. I have already paic
my fare, and paid no attention to the frank
ing and mileage privileges offered by con
gress; but this is the first time | was eve
called upon to vacate car because l wa
not considered as good as a negro"
Come, come" said the conductor, 81
have no time to listen to speeches, you
ought to throw in and hire hall for tina
purpose, This car has been set apart fo
the colored folks, and white people ar,
not permitted to ride in here, Get out 7
. And the poor crippled ex-president, tn
# Macon editor and Atlanta lawyer wer
incontinently hustled to the rear car.
. But after due reflection, Mr. Steph
ems and Mr. Clisby and Col Peoples eacl
; and all decided that it was right. TIL
= law, in the first place. prescribes certain
|. rules and then the negroes pay full far
and the railroad authorities provide frs
class car especially for their accommodation
and white people have no more right ther
than the negro has to take a car sc
n apart f or the white people.