Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-05-15
CIVIL RIGHTS ON ATRAIN.
An Ex-President-A Noted Editor and
a Famous Lawyer busted from
Negro Car,

On the upward bound train on the
Macon and Western division of the
Central Railroad from Griffin, yester-
day, were the Hon. A. H. Stephens,
Col. Clisby, of the Macon Telegraph,
and that fne- old gentleman, Col. Gin
cinnatus Peoples, of this city. AS is
usual with Mr.. Stephens, he took
what he thought the second class car,
so that he could indulge in his pipe
and conversation without offcnse to
any one. Everything wear pleasant
enough, because moody thought any
thing was wrong. Pretty soon an old
blind negro man, with his wife, enter
ed the car and seated themselves
Nothing was thought of this proceed
ing, 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 new finish.
handsomely upholstered aud very neat.
The surprise of the whole party may
be imagined when the conductor came
along and very plaialy told these dis
tinguished gentlemen that they must
get out, as that car was provided SOLE
ly for colored people, and white folks
were not permitted to ride there.
Then the Great Commoner" and Mr..
Clisby and Col. Peoples looked at
each other, and then at the conductor.
| Mr.. Clisby undertook to smile and
COL Peoples looked confused. Mr..
Stephens, always equal TO any emer-
gency, looked mOnstrOus wise at Mr.
/ Ulisby and Col. Peoples, and scratch
ing his head said We'll, Clisby,
have always endeavored to tote fair
with with my fellow man; | pay my
honest debts, and | love my country,
but | never expected to witness this
scene"
Mr.. Clisby replied that God, in h;s
inscrutable wisdom and kindness, had
permitted him to live out the time al
lotted to NEST men; that he had sue
eessfully conducted one of the best
daily papers in Georgia for years; that
his conscience was clear anu his health
good. He had, by uniform good con-
duet and urbaninity of manner, won
the respect and esteem of the entire
southwest portion of the State, yet
now, at this late day, he was forced to
leave Car because he was not consid.
cred as good as blind niger.
Mr.. Stephens. who had at the frs
intimation grabbed his crutches, an
was then making an abortive attemp
to rise, remarked to Col. Peoples, il
his peculiar and feminine voice: Gen.
tlemen, you know me. The world
knows me. | have been a most sue
cessful schoOl-teacher, and have at
tanned some notoriety at the Bar.
have served my State in the council,
of the nation. | have been Vice
President of the Confederate States Of
America, the most brilliant galaxy OF
cOnfederated stars that ever shone IL
the ornament of nations | have sue,
cessfully stood twice for Congress
in my district, and am now on an err
rand of mercy, having been to Griffin
to address the State Association Of
Teachers. | have already paid my
railroad fare, and paid no attention Il
the franking and mileage privileges of.
fered by Congress; but this is the frs
time was ever called on to vacate ;
car because | am not considered IA.
good as negro.
Come, come, said the conductor
have no time to listen to speeches, you
ought to throw in and hire a hall fol
that purpose. This car is set apart
for colored folks, and white people are
not permitted to ride in here. Get QUIT
And the poor crippled ex- President
the Macon editor and the Atlanta law
yer were ineontiHently hu t ed to the
rear car.
Butafter due reflection, Mr.. Stephen.
and Mr.. Clisby and Colonel People,
each and all decided that 1t was right
The law, in the first place, preseribes
certain rules. and then the negroes pay
full fare, and the railroad authorities
provide first-rlass car especially foI
their accommodation. and white people
have no more right there than the ne.
gro has to take the car set apart for the
white people.
And all this, too, was carried on
when the two old innocent negroe:
were sound asleep and had not noticed
nor knew any anything Of what wa.
going on.