The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-03-11
PRACTICAL WORKING OF THE CIV
IL RIGHTS.


bune we consider a sensible view Of the
effects likely to be produced as the re-
suit OF the passage Of the Rights
bill. IF the colored population will de-
sist from an effort to croaO6 themselves
upon their white brethren merely for
the purpose of asserting their rights, we
think there will be no trouble and that
in time the white and black population
of the country will become accustomed
to each other and get along as pleasantly
together as the most earnest advocate of
the law could desire. That such re-
suit is desirable, and that the new law
viii be recognized as being in the inter
est of peace and the elevation OF the
blacks, will, it is hoped, soon be regard
ed as an established fact by the masses
North and South:
We print some newspaper extracts
this morning foreshadowlng in different
sections of the country the probable
effect of the Civil Rights bill passed by
the late Congress. The conclusion which
we draw therefrom, as well as our own
observation and judgment, is that the
new order of things instituted by this
bill is not likely to cause either political
or social disturbance of any Importance,
and certainly nothing like revulsion in
the status Of parties, OF III the present
| relations between black and white, both
of which circumstances have been freely
predicted by the Democratic press. The
conclusions in Cincinnati and New York
are that the effect of the new law will be
scarcely appreciate; and these are cit
les which would be among the first to
feel any effect,-the former because it
is just opposite Kentucky, and contains
a large negro population, and the latter
because it would be more frequently
visited, pehaps, than any other city by
the class Of negroes likely to apply for
admission into first-class hotels and for
choice seats at the theatres. It is not
unlikely that a test case Will be made
up as early as possible to enable the
Supreme Court to pass upon the consti-
nationality of the law. If it is not sus-
tanned by that tribunal there is an end
to it; if it is held constitutional, it will
be obeyed in such manner as to occas-
ion no perceptible change in the present
general customs of hotels, railroads,
theatres, and other places of public en-
tertainment included in the law.
In the first place, it must be remem-
bered that the number of colored peo-
pie who will seek to avail themselves of
the full privilege of the law in way
that would be offensive to whites is as
yet very small. It is only negroes who
have ample means (and their number is
extremely Gmited) who can afford to
travel in Pullman cars, stop at first-class
hotels, and occupy the choice places at
the theatres. The number of applicants
for these privileges will only increase
| with the advancement of the negros
condition, wealth, and intelligence; and
the existing prejudice, which is peceliar
to this country, will wear off gradually
as the whites become thus gradually &C
customed to their presence. In Eng
| land, France, Germany, or any other
European country, Algerian, Morocco,
Egyptian, West Indian, and also Ameri-
can blacks, are treated with the same
| courtesy and consideration as white peo-
pie, and enjoy all the privileges sought
ODE conferred upon them here by law.
The reason is that there is no remnant
In those countries of a prejudice which
y,
and colored persons who travel there are
usually possessed of as much money, in.
| telligence, and responsibility in appear
ance and manner as the average white
tourist. The black would only be ex-
Guided from theatre OF hotel in any
European country for the same reasons
which would exclude white man,-in-
ability to pay, disreputable conduct, OF
repulsive personal appearance
Until the absurd American prejudice
is worn off by the friction of actual con-
tact, and up to the time that any consid-
cradle number of colored people in this
country shall have money enough to
avail themselves of their new legal priv
1leges, the inn-keepers, theatre mama
gers, and others, VIII have little difficulty
III dlsposing Of the question. In hotels
the proprietors reserve the right Of al
iotting white people such apartments rs
they choose, and the same right cannot
well be denied them in dealing with
blacks. Most frst-class hotels have
more than one dining room,-generalIy
one large dlnlng-room and two OF three
| smaller ones. SO long as there is no
notable or conspicuous effort to treat
negroes as an inferior race, when their
appearance and conduct are rnobiection-
able, we do not believe the negroes
themselves will try to force any issue
under The bill. Meanwhile, there will
be hotels which will seek their patron
age as soon as there is enough of it to
be profitable.
Thus it will be seen that any change
that will be produced by the Civil Rights
bill IS likely to be gradual and harmless.
All the political danger was taken out OF
the bill when the provision regarding
mixed schools was dropped. The sooner
the American people overcome q mere
color-p.ejudico, on account of his com
plectlon, who wears as good clothes, has
as neat an appearance, and deports him
self as decently as the unobjectionable
white man, the more creditable it will
be to the intelligence of the American
people.
TIE railroad legislation of this winter
Is not satisfactory to the re1,racantativns