Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-02-18
RAINEY ON CIVIL RIGHTS.

The following is the concluding portions of
the speech of Representative Rainey, of South
Carolina, recently delivered in the House of
Representatives, at Washington, in reference to
social equality and mixed schools:
I venture to assert to my white fellow-citi-
zens that we, the colored people, are not in
quest of social equality. For one do not ask
to be introduced into your family circles if
you are not disposed to receive me there
Among my own race we have as much respec-
liability, intelligence, virtue and refinement
possible to expect from any class circumstan-
ced as we have been. This being so, why
should cast imputation upon my people by
saying to them, II do not want your society;
l prefer to associate with the whites" Why
should be ashamed Of them with their blood
flowing in my veins? Such is not the prompt
ings of my heart nor of my colored colleagues
on this floor We are not naturally more
disposed to immortality than Others Under
the new order of things we are hopeful, how
ever, that higher order of morality will be
established in the South than existed there in
ante -belum days for the time has come when
it is admitted that the negroes have rights
that white men are bound to respect.
Among my raco l am free to confess that
we have some immoralmen and women, but
our consolation is that such regretful examples
are not confined to any race or people. 1t
might be said, however, in extenuation OF this
condition of affairs, that many of them have
been kept bowed down in the fetd trenches of
slavery for so long time that their senses
have become blunted beyond keen concep-
ton of their own rights and interests, which
has led many to believe that they are content
ed with such privileges as they now enjoy,
without desiring further legislation in their
behalf. The misfortunes of this class are not
chargeable to any but those who delighted to
degrade us in the past and desire to continue
the same treatment in the present. 1t is to be
hoped, therefore, that they will not be consid-
cred as rejecting the opinions or wishes of the
more intelligent in this regard.
The earnest desire for the passage of this
bill as a measure of justice and equity, becomes
more evident from the stubborn opposition
made to it. There has been no measure pass
ed by Congress, having for its avowed object
the benefit of the negro race in any way, but
what has met the same contention that has
been so apparent in this instance.
Much has been said about the constitution
and its bearing upon the passage of this bill,
and the ultimate result of such an event.
Time will not permit me to refer to them all.
I will say, by way of general reply, that those
who read the constitution with partial and
selfish motives in view, fail to see the interests
of the coored race apart from what is implied
in the last three amendments thereto, and fire.
uuently with narrow conception of those
We claim equal rights and interests with other
citizens who are embraced within the limits
of all its provisions. If this should not be ad
mitted, the people would soon lose apprecia-
ton for that instrument, and clamor for
change that would afford them more general
and better protection. Believing it to be ad
equate for the ample security of all, the people
are content with it.
Article 4, section 2, of the constitution reads
thus: "The citizens of each State shall be en-
titled to all privileges and immunities Of citi-
zens in these several States"
According to this provision it is unconstitu-
tional to deny any privilege or immunity to
colored citizens in either Virginia, Georgia,
Kentucky or any other State that is guaran-
teed to other citizens. It.must be remember
ed that we are not dealing with the past, but
with the immediate present and for the future
In this connection reference may be prop
erly made to the public schools All the OBJ
jections that have been urged against the
general commingling of white and colored
children in these schools have been stated and
successfully refuted in the past. There was
great dissatisfaction shown at the inaugura.
tion of this system in those States where it
has been in successful operation for years.
1t is gratifying to state that the satisfactory
results of its workings have dispelled all doubts
in regard to its practicability, quieted appre-
henson, and contributed largely to remove
fears and annihlate that prejudice which has
been declared upon this floor should be fos-
tered and respected. 1t is with the aim of
making more complete the destruction of this
uncharitable sentiment and prescription that
the opening of the public schools to all is so
much to be desired. Surely the children are
not better than their parents, who now sit
with US in the jury box, the legislative hall,
and are daily to be seen in the same public
conveyance. Therefore, [ can see no reason
why the white and colored children cannot
attend the same public school.
What we desire, Mr.. Speaker, is to have
the cloud of prescription removed from our
horizon, that we may clearly see our way to
intellectual and moral advancement. This is
nothing more than what all good citizens de-
sire to enjoy and ought to have. | therefore
favor the passage of the Senate bill now on
your table.
This being done, complaints will cease, for
we can then justly say, let soaps, hands, and
tongues applaud it to the clouds )" the Repub-
lican party has been just and true to its
pledges.