Huntsville gazette., 1883-11-03
MOBILE.

The Civil Rights Decision. Business
looking Up. Other Notes of Interest.
| Since nv last letter the mind of the Ma
ton has been disturbed in consequence Of
judicial injury inflicted apon the colored
race, Judicial injury b ,cause there Is
no appeal.
While the civil rights bill practically did
not amount to much in its operation before
the inferior courts OF the country, stlli
in view Of the prejudices existing in cer-
tain sections of the Union, there was
feeling of satisfaction on the part of our
people, that even if suits were brought
a gainst parties and Judgment against the
purport of the bill wore had, there was a
court of last resort that would give consid-
eraticn to the intention as we'll as the let
ter of the law.
Such however was not the case. I believe
that Congress had an eye single to the con-
dition of affairs in the former slave-hold-
ing states when they passed the civil rights
bill. They must have conceived that the
amendment fixed the freedom Of the eman-
cipated slave, and if freedom as defined by
"Webster' means anything we were after
the adoption of the 18th amendment placed
upon common law footing. They must
have known that the 14th amsndment was
merely prohibitory article. Some Of the
ablest men in the land were in Congress at
the time. To put the Question in another
shape. Did the people mean when they
ratified the amendments to say that if the
States lately in rebellion had no laws nor
made any in opposition to ths prohibitory
claims of Sec. 1st of 14th article that any
act Of Congess passed in pursuance thereof
should be imperative Why anticipate
State laws and then provide against them
to shut off the effsct of any bill that Con-
gress might see fit to subsequently pass.
Could not the trainers of the 14th amend
ment inserted somc other clause or clauses
to meet the objection of Individual inva-
sion of a citizens right. 1 think thAy could
While the Suprems Court of the o. s. is
expounder of ths constitution and laws OF
the country, the people are nevertheless the
sovcrsigns and can calmly discuss what is
supposed to effect their general interest.
History sometimes repeat itself. Plato in
forms as that one of the causes of the de-
cline of the Persian empire, WAS the abisct
submission Of the Pcrsi,ns and from the
day man loseth his liberty he lcscth one.
half of his ancient virtue. History teaches
as that then man is no longer concerned
for the property of tie STATE. glory or wei
fare of the country.
Mobile seems to be improving. The
mechanics are ali busy, the mercantile in
terest appears to have taken fresh boom.
1t is rather tempting to pass down DAu-
phin ST., md obs ervs the fresh import, =
tions OF the finest luxuries in store and
show case of the great retail grocery house
of W. B. Wallis. 1t will make q poor man
stretch his pocket whether by permission
Of circumstances or not.
| Educational interests look bright and
prosperous.
Rev. J. A. Tho4ias. Methodist minister
was inferred Sunday before last. lie was
one of the pillars of Zion Conn action in
this part of the State. Rev. E. D. Taylor
preached the funeral sermon in an able
manner followed by Elders Wales end Ow-
en- in very eloquent remarks.
desire to state that as mark of dstinc
| ton for services rendered to the firm above
alluded to. they have honorsd Mr. E. S.
| Perryman, young eolored man certif.
cate Of reward Of merit aud have advanced
him In position under their employ. Such
libernlty on the part of Mr.. Vail toward
the colored people is worthy OF mention.
Mobile, Oct. 31st. ONUs.