The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-03-01
2 @ 2 From the Chicago Times. . : III
THE CIVIL KIGHTs ELL.
It's Wrongs, From . 1epublioan Stand
Poiut..-The Safety Of the Ne
gro Endangered.
ITO the Rditor.1

The ciYil-rights bill sostensibly designed
TO promote the welfare and happiness Of
the colored race. But in what part of
these United States, and hcw, is this high
~ penal act to have this most desirable
effect? Is it here in Michigan, where the
large majority Of people are politically very
brotherly with the colored man, but OBJ
ject to eating at the same table with him,
or occupying . bed 10 the same room Of
hotel; or will it be it Louisiana, where, &C
cording to Gen, Sheridan, slight provoca-
ton is sufficient to insure the assassination
of 3 negro2 Z s SIfiSrgf6rl nnIpD9'
The penal clause of the bill is selfcon-
demning. Ifin Michigan or Louisiana, IN
New York or Georgia, it requires thous;
and dollars fine and a years Imprisonment
of all the managers, proprietors, and dlrec
tors of every hotel, watering place, opera
house, railroad, or steamboat, who may, to
prevent injury to their business Though
thorough going Republicans themselves,
exclude or counteuance the exclusion of
colored persons from their dining rooms.
their parlors, their public dances. their
palace. cars, and their frst-class cabin sa-
looms, then it will require ten thousand
Federal soldiers to every jail in the United
States TO. overcome the personal and polit-
ical friends of these persons, who are in
many cases leading politicians, with large
political following, who would like nothing
better than to become the martyrs and he
roes of the Democracy Again, some ladies
of high social position, generally widows,
are part owners of these establishments,
hotels and watering places, and would be-
come liable under this act by barely coun.
tenancing the expulsion. The imprison-
ment OF one such would rouse the whole
country. Remember the hanging of Mrs.
Surratt. -'..-,.. -.-'.... ..-.si = 1r'-l---
But you say you do nct think such case
will ever arise Well, that is confession
that your bill is bad, having its penait!
broader than the necessity. But the cas-,
,oiU arise, and within twenty-four hour
after the bill is signed. 4 1T A-N-',' - a
Al am reliably informed that money
has already been, subscribed. to force 4
number of negroes into some of the princi
pal northern hotels Immediately on the bill
becoming law. This will be done,on tn,
one hand, by colored people themselves, I,
assert and establish their rights, and, Of
the other hand, BY copperheads in or
der to force the question home upon tn
north, instead Of leaving the enforcement
of the law to be used as q military pohtiea
engine in the southern states. Immediat
riots in New York, Baltimore. Louisville
Richmond, and st. Louis will be foilowe
by condition of affairs little better tina
civil war, unless the bill be repealed an
these demonstrations will be made tn
more violent and hasty for the very pul
pose Of awing congress into the repeal G
the measure before its adjournment, @
compelling the president TO call the ne
congress. Do not deride these prediction
because there are at present no stormy il
dignation meetings. These are only lacl
ing because the people generally do a
believe the bill, so long delayed during Il
many years of Republican supremacy. w
ever become statute, speak from pc
sonal experience, having recently trayerss
the states.
B.-There is no question that the Der
ocrats, being fortified in their position
the declaration of eminent lawyers that Il
bill is unconstitutional will unanimous
resist the imprisonment of any member
their party under its provisions, in I
north as well as in the south, especia
when they will claim chat the bill is pass
in direct opposition to the will of the lar
majority OF the people, as expressed
the late elections.
q. Republican senators and membs
of congress- Your constituencies (wf
are left Of them will say to you: ~
suppressed this measure as long as y
were in full power, for the reason tina,
was not calculated to benefit either {
freedman or the party, and the only n
tive left to you in this desperate hour
defeat is that OF rousing all the bad bio
in the Democracy, and empowering Gs
Grant to let it out relying upon rene
ed war fever in the north to sustain I
policy" What else means your co-or
nate caucus bill for suspending the sacr
writ OF hdbeds corpus at the tyranuC
pleasure OF the president, and enabli
him to magnify two persons into an
surrection against state, and upon Il
most preposterous assumption in any of I
United States the war was fought TO pl
serve. Blind partisans, mad with despe
ton, what can you hope to gain persona
even iif this bloody plan should ACHE
full criminal success? You, its autho
would be condemned even by those W
fought to put down the new rebellion
Accused and socially ostracised by b
the people. applauded by none, you "
be sentenced to political death by the pr,
ent generation, and to historical shar
by all the succeeding generations of o
reunited fraternal people.
~ GEORGE ENNEss.
Detroit. Mich, Feb. "a, 1875.