Wilmington journal., 1875-03-05
ruE CIVIL srGHTs ELL


THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.
This iniquitous measure designed
by Radical Congress to enforce negro
equality upon the Southern people,
has at last passed both Houses of Con-
gress and been signed by the Presi-
dent. It is therefore the law of the
land-in form at least. Whether Its
provisions will ever be enforced will
depend upon what construction the
Courts may place upon the words
Inappropriate legislation in the recent
amendments to tle Federal Constitu
ton. IF the Courts shall hold that a
bill to force negroes and whites to eat
together at the same table is "appro-
pirate legislation to enferce the
equality of all men before the law,
then-why then the trouble will have
just begun.
Many persons seem 60 regard this
bill as directed at and personally af-
fecting only hotel keepers and rail
road and steamboat owners, but such
is not the case. 1t has 4 far wider
scope than this, as it seeks to punish
not only hotel-keepers and railroad
and steamboat owners who refuse
accommodations to negroes against its
provisions, but it seeks also and
equally to punish all who shall ''aid
or incite such denial" This is simp-
ly an attempt, bald barefaced at
tempt at wholesale intimidation, an
infamous attempt to shut the mouths
of men throughout the South, an at
tempt not only to force negro equality
upon US, but TO make us submit to it
in silence.
With such law and with such
Judge as BOND to execute it, the peo-
ole Of the South may look for trouble,
but not SO great that patience and
courage cannot overcome it. But
patience and courage will be needed.
If like towards, we yield in silent
submission to the oppressive meas
ures of the scoundrels who seek to
force us into loathsome equality with
the negro, We shall be indeed worthy
Of our fate, no matter how degrading
it may be.
The following IN the text of the bill
as it passed Congress:
Whereas, It is essential to just
government that we recognize the
equality of all men before the law, and
hold it is the duty of the Government
III it's dealings with the people to mete
out equal and exact justice to all of
whatever nativity, race, color or per
s1lasion, religious or political; and it
being the prope~ object of legislation
to enact fundamental principles into
law; therefore
Be it enacted 6y the Senate and
House fReprese'atatiUesof Of the United
States of america az Congress As
se.26Eed. Section l. That ali persons
within the jurisdicti IN of the United
States shall be entitled to the full and
equal enjoyment of the accommoda-
ton, advantages, facilities and privi-
teges OF inns, public conveyances (on
land or water), theatres and other
places of public amusement, subject
only to the conditions and limitations
established by law, and applicable
alike to citizens of every race or color,
regardless of any previous condition
of servitude.
Sec. 2. That any person who shall
violate the foregoing section. by de-
nying to any citizen, except for reas-
ons by law applicable to citizens of
every race and color, and regardless of
any previous condition Of servitude,
the full enjoyment of any accommQda-
t5ons, advantages, facilities and prsv-
i!eges N said section enumerated; or
by aiding or melting such denial,
shall, for every such offence forfeit
and pay the sum Of FIVE hundred dol
lars to the person aggrieved thereby,
TO be recovered by an action of debt
with full costs, and shall also, for
every such offecce. be deemed guilty
Of a misdemeanor, and. upon convie-
sion thereof, shall be fined not less
than $500 nor more than 81 900, or
shall be imprisoned not less than
thirty days nor more than one year,
provided that all persons may elect to
sue for the penalty aforesaid or to
proceed under their rights at common
law and by State statutes, and having
80 elected to proceed in the one mode
or the other their right to proceed in
the other jurisdiction shall be barred.
but this proviso shall not apply to
criminal proceedings, either under
this act or the criminal law of any
State; and provided further, that
Judgment for the penalty, in favor of
the party aggrieved, or a judgment
upon an Indictment, shall be bar to
either prosecution respectively.
Sec. 3. That the District and Cir
cult Courts of the United States shall
nave, exclusively of the Court of the
several States, cOgnizance of all crimes
and offences against and violations of
the provisions of this act, and actions
for the penalty given by the preced-
.ng section may be prosecuted in the
Territorial, District or Circuit Courts
of the United States wherever the de-
fendant may be found without regard
to the other party, and the District
Attorneys, Marshals and Deputy
Marshals of the United States and
Commissioners appointed by the Cir
cult and Territorial Courts of the |