Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-05
HOIRE

an immense crowd collected in the gal
leries of the House this forenoon, to wit
ness the close Of the debate and final ac-
ton on the Civil Rights bill.
The proceedings opened by a personal
explanation from Mr.. Lamar i'm a denial of
the statement made in the Washington Re
publican this morning, in which it was al
legged, in the alteration yesterday between
Messrs. Butler and Mclean, the latter had
reached his hand behind him to grasp a
pistol.
AIR. Blount spoke against the bill as an
entire annihilatiOn of State rights.
Mr.. Sener defended his position as the
only Republican 4hembsr who had voted
against the motion to suspend the rules, so
as TO establish a new rule by which the
Civil Rights bill could be passed. He had
stood by his party in al matters with all
the ability and power which he possessed, g,
because he believed it was the only party
that could give to the country a solid and
honest administration. lie believed he
was not disappointed in that. When the
passions Of the hour had passed away, it
would be accorded to him that he
had done his duty as he understood
il. He opposed the Civil Rights bill in
accordance with the views of the people Of
his district. He had been defeated for
Congress in 1874, although he had received
within fifty of the whole colored vote Of
the district, and he was only defeated be
cause at the last moment a rumOr was cir
culated that under the spur and lash Of
party discipline, he might yield his honest
convictions and support the Civil Rights
bill. The Republican party, in forcing
this bill, was attempting 10 do, by legisla-
tiOn, what never had been done by legisla-
ton that was to correct and cure preju-
dice.
The attention Of the House was given in
a marked degree TO Mr.. Sener's remarks.
Mr.. Z Z. H0ar spoke in favor Of the
bill. He did not believe that the bill, If
passed into a law, would produce any very
great immediate effect for good or evil in
the South. But the value Of the act was
similar to that Of the Declaration Of indie
pendenCe.
bIr. E. h. Roberts insisted that the time
had come when Congress could say that the
law should be no respecser Of persons.
Mr.. Stanard said be would vote against
the bill in all its details, because he did
not believe It to be in the interest Of col
ored people or white people. He believed
it would work incalculable damage. He
did not believe that a majority Of the
thinking, careful colored people were in
favor of it.
Cain Ccolored) said the cOlOred people
controlled the whole school system Of South
Carolina, and they bad not a mixed school
in the State, except the State College.
Mr.. Cobb, of Kansas, asked him what he
thought would be the effect of the passage
of the bill on the school system Of the
South.
Cain replied, if the United States Gov
ernmeRt passed the law aud insisted on
obedience TO it, there would be no trouble
at all. Applause on the Republican
side.J
Mr.. Hynes asked him if he did not be.
lieve that in every Southern State cOntrOll-
ed by the Democratic party, the whole
! common school system would not be abol,
ished, rather than have mixed schools.
Cain replied, that he did not know; that
he could not Judge Democracy. Laughter
He believed the cOlOred people were willing
| to accept any thing necessary for the vel
| fare of the country. Secure to us, he said
our liberty; secure us peace; give us {
| chance to live; put no restrictions on us
| and we ask no more of the American peO-
pie. loud applause from the cOlOred
| crowd in the galleries and from Republi
/ can members on the floor.
Mr. Crittenden opposed the bill.
Mr.. White advocated his own substitute
as against either the Senate or House bill
| and said that lie occupied a middle grOunl
between the friends and enemies Of tn,
Civil Rights bill.
Mr.. Caldwell protested against the bill il
a-y Of its forms or phases, and argued tina
! the cOlOred man needed no additional pro
| lection.
Mr.. EldridCe protested sOlemnly agains
the proposed legislation. This and kindre
measures were. only for the benefit Of un
principled carpet-baggers and scalawags AM
1 pOt-hOUSe politicians, who would max
merchandise Of all rights of the colore
people, and of their body and soul, if the
could thereby keep themselves in control Q
place and power.
Mr. Brown, Of Kentucky, opposed tn
bill, although he acknowledged that it va
a foregOne conclusion that to-day's SUI
would set upon It as the law Of the land
Men Oh the Republican side had bee
dTagOOned into its support. It's success ha
been in a measure accomplished 10y DARN
| and revolutionary inTasiOns on the time
hOnOred rules Of the House. II had bee
born in malignity and would be passed j
defiance and violation of the Constitution
and would he executed in violence an
blOOdshed, as he feared.
Mr.. Hale, of New York, objected to th
| last sentence as unparliamentary, but
having been reduced to writing and rea
/ from the Clerks desk, the Speaker rule
that it did not transcend the limits Of pa
IamentaEy debate.
Mr.. Brown, continuing his remarks, sal
he regarded the bill as a part Cf the M
chinery to be set in motion for the can
paign of 1876. He believed a deliberai
conspiracy had been formed for the owe
throw cf constitutional liberty. You mel
said he, who propose to pass this bill, hay
been weighed in the balance and bee
found wanting.
TIE Speaker informed Mr. Brown 81
he must address the chair.
Dir, Brown-Mr. Speaker, your condu