The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-24

the information that they have all the rights
That any mar has, and that the awful circle
of the common law is drawn around them.
This is simple mockery, and it is recog-
nized as such. Senator Harrison said, on
Monday night;
~ do not know but what in practice it
will be found that the common law furnishes
you every remedy you need to assert these
rights. But if it does not, and we are to con-
slider the question whether we will not put
something in the constitution that will ena-
bic us to pass such a law, | think it doubtful
whether, in the present condition of parties
in this country, we could ever pass such
amendment again."
What is the matter? Is it because of a
decline in the moral sentiment of the
country, or is it because there no longer ex-
lists the necessity for it, that such an
amendment could never be passed again?
that no such constitutional or statutory law
could again be enacted, because of a pres
ent existing opposition, which, when the
amendment was passed, was not strong
enough to stand against the high purpose of
the people to make all men free and equal
before the law. That is what he meant, and
practically what he said, and in so far JUS
titles the statement of Mr.. Douglass and of
Mr.. Bruce, and Others, that the decision puts
the country back fifteen years.
But, while all this is true, and it is greatly
to be regretted that such a decision
as the Supreme Court has given
was considered necessary, there can be
no doubt that good yill come out of it all.
A meeting of the colored citizens of Cincin-
city, passed. among others, the following
resolution:
Resolved, by the colored citizens of Gin
cinnati in mass-meeting assembled, That, re-
lying on the constitution and laws of our
country, and reposing confidence in the gen.
erosity and sense of Justice of our white
fellow-citlzens we view without alarm the
abrogation of the civil-rights law, feeling
sure, that as the two races grow in wisdom
and tolerance, the prejudices which bar our
way will be dissipated, and that in the near
future all American citizens will stand I'M
disputed on a platform of equal political and
- CqOol SifI1 4iSl9'
This is wise and statesmanlike. The
whole bearings of the question will now be
discussed as never before, and as they never
would have been but for this adverse decis-
ion. Nothing is so strong in this country as
enlightened public opinion. 1t is better than
constitutions and statutes, and e~nforces its de-
crees over and above them. AS a sequence
to the discussion that will follow, and in
the light of the publicity certain to be given
any and all acts Of attempted oppression,
justice and equality are likely to come more
universally and more speedily than if reliance
is placed exclusively upon law. The South
ern States and communities, where ostracisrn
and outrage upon the negroes have been
practiced, are growing more and more amen
ture of the government. Reasons stronger
than the cold words of a law are operating
to secure the rights of all men, and the
operation Of those reasons will be accelerated
by an incident which now, from
certain points of view, seems de-
plorabie. Because we believe this,
and not because we would tell the colored
man to stick his head in the sand of the
common law, and hug the delusion that his
entire body was safely covered, we think the
decision of the Supreme Court will yet prove
an advantage to a people who have shown
themselves so capable and patient, and who
have been wise and strong enough to make
seeming misfortunes helps to a higher life.