Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-05-28
From the Atlanta HeEali, .d1s ..
civil Rights In Georgia.


4. II. STEPHENS AND COUPLE oF FRIENDS
MARCHED oUr o. \ ooLoREp CAR.
On the upward bound tain on tie Macon
and Western division Of the Central Rail
road from Griffin, Yesterday. We're Hon. \.
H. Stephens, Col. Clisby, OF the Macon Iele-
graph, and that fine old gentleman. Colonel
Cincinuatus Peoples, of this city. \ usual
with Mr.. Stephens, he took what he thought
the second class ear 50 that ne could indulge
in his pipe and conversation without offence
to any one.
Everything went pleasant enough hecause
nobody thought anything was wrong. Pretty
soon an old blind negro man, with iiiS vile,
entered the car and seated themselves. Moth
Ing was thought of this proceeding, and the
Vice President. editor, and lawyer were
making themselves aS comfortable ~ the
condition of that road would permit. IL
was noticed that the car in question was OF
new finish, handsomely upholstered. and
very neat The surprise of the whole party
may be imagined when the conductor came
along and very plainly told these distinguish
! ed gentlemen that they must get out, ~ that
car was provided solely for colored people,
and white folks were not permitted To ride
in there.
Then the 'Great Commoucr' and Mr..
Clisby and Col. Peoples locked at each other
and then of the Conductor. Mr.. Cllsby un-
dertook to smile and Col. Peoples looked
confused. Mr.. Stephens, al Ways equal TO any
emergency, looked monstrcus wise at Mr..
| CliSby and Col. Peoples. and scratching his
! head. said well, Mr.. Clisby, have
| lived long time | have always endCayored
to act fair with my fellow-man pay my
honest debts, and love my country. but l
never expected to witness this scene" Mr.
Clisby replied that he had successfully con-
Quoted one of the best daily papers in Geor-
gia for years that his conscience was clear
and his health good. lie had by uniform
good conduct and urbanity of manners won
the respect and esteem of the entirc south
west portion of the State, yet, BOW, at this
late day, he was forced to leave II car be-
cause he was not considered as good as a
blind Niger.
Mr.. Stephens, who had at the first inti-
, nation grabbed his crutches and WAS then
making an abortive attempt to rise, re-
marked TO Colonel Peoples, in his peculiar
| and feminine voice ''Gentlemen, you know
me. The world knows me. have been a
successful school teacher, and have attained
some notoriety at the bar. | have served my
| State in the councils of the nation. |
have been Nice-President of the COnfed-
crate States of America, the most bril-
liant galaxy ot Confederate stars that ever
shone in the ornament Of nations. have
successfully stood twice for Congress in
my district, and am now on an GRAND oi
mercy, having been to Griffin to address
the State Association Of Teachers. | have
already paid my railroad fare. and paid no
attention to the fr:inking and mileage privi-
| leges offered by Congress but this is the
! first time WAS ever called upon to vacate
/ a car because ! am not considered as good as
a negro"
Come, come" said the conductor. :"
have no time to listen to speeches you
ought to throw in and hire hall for that
purpose. This car has been set apart for the
colored folks, and white people are not per.
mittej to ride in here. Get out ;" And
the poor crippled ex-President, the Macon
editor, and Atlanta lawyer were ineon-
tinenty hustled to the rear car. But aiteI
due reelection, Mr.. Stephens and MIR. Clisby