The Van Buren press., 1875-06-08
THE NEGRO CAR.
How an Ex.President. an Editor and 9
Lawyer were Expelled from it.
ATLANTA Herald, sth.l

iAtlanta Herhiu, Nh.
On the upward. bound train on the Ma
con and Western division of the Central
railroad from Griffin, Yesterday, were
the Hon A. ii. Stephens, Colonel Clisby,
Of the Macon Telegraph, and that fine
old gentleman Col. CiDcinna.us PEBBLES
of this city. AS is usual with Mr. Steph
ems, he took what he thought the second.
class car, so that he could indulge in his
pipe and conversation without ofense to
anyone. Everything went pleasant
enough. because nobody thought any
thing was wrong. Pretty soon an old
blind Negro man, with his wife, entered
the car and seated themselves Nothing
was thought of this proceeding, and the
Vice President. editor and lawyer were
making themselves AS comfortable az the
condition of the road would permit. 1t
was noticed that the car in question was
of new finish, handsomely upholstered
and very neat The surprise of the whole
party may lie imagined when the con
ductor came along and very plainly told
these distinguished gentlemen that they
must get out, as that car was provided
solely 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..
! Cllsby undertook to smile and Col. Pee
piles looked confused. Mr.. Stephens. al
ways equal to any emergency, looked
wise at Mr. CIishy and Col Peoples. and,
OF atcb IL, ,,U
| have lived a long time: have always
endeavored TO tote fair with my fellow
man pay my honest debts, and love
my country, but never expected to wit.
ness this scene
Mr., Clisby replied that God, in His in
scruIablc wisdom and Kindness had per
mitted him to live out the time allotted
to most men that he had successfully
conducted one of the best daily papers in
Georgia for years; that his conscience
was clear and his health good. lie had,
by uniform good conduct and urbanity
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 no,
considered as good as blind niger
Mr. Stephens, who had at the first init
nation grabbed his crutches, and was
then making an abortivc attempt to rise,
remarked TO Col Peoples, in his peculiar
and feminine voice Gentlemen, YOU
know me. The world knows me- ! have
been n most successful school teacher
and have attained some nutoricty at the
har I g,
ellis of the nation. | have been Vice
President of the Confederate States of
America, the most brilliant galaxy Of
contederated stars that ever shonc in the
ornament of nations have success
fully stood twice for Congress in my
district, and am now on an errand of
mercy, having been to Griffin t. address
the State Association of Teachers. |
have already paid my railroad fare, and
paid no attention to the franking and
mileage privileges offered by Congress
but this is the first time was ever called
On to vacatc q car because am not con
sdered as good as negro
Come. come, said the conductor,
have no time to listen to speeches,
NoN O,Sn NJ W tuioW Jtllt ltIIt II nall ltf
that purpose. Til. 'rrdif has been set
apart for the cooret, .qfolks, and white
people are not permitted to ride in here.
Get out" And the crippled cx- Presi-
dent, the Macon editor, and Atlanta law
yer were ncontinently hustled to the
rear car
This arrangement Of the Macon and
Western road is right and proper, and
will tend to prevent any conflict on the
civil.rights question. IT is the best prac
teal solution of the working Of the bill
that has been made in this country, and
whether or not Mr. Stephens, or Mr..
Clisby or Col Peoples will enter suits for
damages under the provisions of the bill,
it is evident that the Central road does
not intend to incur any damages so far
as the negro population is concerned.