The Republican journal., 1883-10-25
The Civil Rights Decision.

The decision of the supreme Court declaring
the civil rights act unconstitutional is revival
of The theory OF States rights 1t is held that
the 18th amendment to the Constitution doc,
not give to Congress the right to..lesi>ate in
regard to rights in hotels and public convey
ances. except in the District of Columbia and
ihc Territories. The decision therefore prac-
ticalll rcmard> to the several States the pro-
lection of the equal rights of the colored men in
those respects. This is equivalent to depriving
them of all projection, for they can expect no
consideration in the southern States. The
colored people are naturally alarmed and their
leaders al Washington have expressed them
selves very forcibly on the subject. Professor
Lngston says that at the request of Charlie,
sumner he drew the draft Of the bill which
became law and is now declared invalid and
that be still hats the rough notes which were
used in it, preparation. Frederick Douglas,
says the decision puts the colored people again
outside the law, and places them. when on a
steamboat or railroad or in IA theatre, restau-
rant o. other public place, at the mercy of an,
white rutiian who may choose to insult them
Ex-senator Bruce declares il Il most unfortu-
mate dcci>ion-one that will carry the country
backward hftcon years at least. and that doe,
moi reflect the sentiment OF the people. What
he says of social equality. as distinguished
from civil equality, is worth quoting in full:
The principle upon which the decision is
rendered Is very wrong. although it NAV he
fairly in accordance with the law. To say that
You and myself are placed upon a social equal
We ff,1 f. pil, Il
same steamboat or car, or are fed at the same
restaurant. or sleep at the same hotel is TO
take Il Iul>r position. The civil rights blll was
passed by Congress TO more completely finish
HE abolition oi slavery. and it does not affect
the social relations of the races: it Simply
declares common right. You may be an inn
Keeper and accommodate guests. yet YOU do
NOT say. because You feed a man or supply him
with lodging, that h. j. Your social equal. |
may ride Upon your street car ana vet that is
no Indication that yea acknowledge me YOUR
cqutl III social matters. II YOU invite me 10
your Aeu>e to dine with You and associate with
Your family. thai Is another thing. The civil
rights bill was passed two days before entered
the Senate. II was considered It fair recog-
milton of the rights of the colorcd people and of
their services in the War.
Richard T. Greener, well known colored
lawyer in Washington, has been interviewed
and expressed liz conviction that 1.-THE civil
rights legislation. as traced in the yoliIminous
and exhaustive debates Of Congress. ana As
finally enacted into law by the tct of March /.
1879, will be found good law in spite Of this
resent astounding opinion" He said further:
THIS decision sprung upon the country at this
time. Just after the Ohio election, and lust pre-
Nlou> to the other elections. can scarcely be
construed to be anything else than a covert and
inNidiou> blow at the Republican party: for
from 1865 10 isl3, during the period of recon
>lructlon. the Civil Rights bill came before the
country AGAIN and again, and was supported
by Grant, Wilson, Sumner and Garfield. ana
other Of The foremost Republicans. In the Rep
ublican platform of 1872 is this plank:
"Complete liberty and exact equality in the
enjoyment OF all civil. political, and public
rights should be established and ctfectualy
maintained throughout the Union bv efficient
and appropriate State and Federal legisation
Neither the law nor its administration should
admit any discrimination in respect OF citizens
by reason Of race. creed. color. or previous
condition of srryitude."
Let me say that tie man VINO wrote that
plank OF the Republican party's platform WAS
better lawyer han the members Of the sup
rene court, IN view of the recent decision.
The righteous Indignation of the coIored peo-
pie is shared by those who fought to give them
freedom and American citizenship. The mat
ter viii mol be allowed to resi-. and when Con-
gre>s meets an effort will be made TO secure
legislation for submitting constitutional amend
ments which shall embrace the principles of the
Civil Rights act rendered void By this decision
Of the Supreme Court.