The bee., 1883-11-17

points of the issue under consideration they
were ably referred to by learned and eloquent
gentlemen OH the occasion of the rousng
mass meeting at Lincoln Hall on the night OF
the p of last month. but ii may be said here
with propriety that / never saw such good
order, decorum, attention andlinterest as was
then and there manifested. What a sublime
picture. The representatives of seven million
of people of both races, and fair sprinkling
of their sympathizers. with anxious looks, up
turned faces and uplifted hearts. listening to
eloquent tongues prOnounciug words of good
cheer of encouragement and voices raised in
advocating their rights and denOuncing their
wrongs and such as are being inflicted upon
them. Sublime spectaelei a harmonious
gathering united by tender ties, by common
interests. drawn together TO denounce wrongs
and assert rights, placing their cause in the
hands of true, able hearted exponents, plead
ing with earnestness and ability for the OPP
pressed that the inequalities which weigh
them down be removed, and as the speakers
argue, debate and search in the realms of
thought all the forces necessary to establish
facts and convince the most obstinate unbe-
lever they were riveting the closest attention
and were covering themselves in glory by
reason of their hearers love and confidence.
/ wish to advert, in conclusion to some of the
nonsensicaI and flimsy subterfuges which are
but the expression of deeprooted prejudicies.
positively unchairtable, for charity has no
color no more than patriotism for that pas
sion too, has no color; the truth of this last
assertion may be found fully illustrated on
the pages of history. How ridiculous is that
,f1poS If fh4
equality. Legislation has nothing whatever
to do with il, never wasa subject or prospect of
law every one knows that and if they don't
it is high time they did. We are at liberty
to have our likes and dislikes, social grades
exist, we choose our company; some prefer
the lettered ones, others the opuIent, some
are content to be the friend of the poor: the
rich may seek their equals and so on up and
down the various grades which make up the
human family, and whoever has good sense
will not force himself or herself upon 9TH
ers, hence it is clearly understood that So
cial equality is not contended for, but claim
is made by the colored people to natural rights
without discrimination and which do not
conflict with public duties. In selecting our
friends, our companions we may invite them
to. our houses and have social intercourse
with them be they black or white, and this
privilege should have the widest range, but
no one will presume to force himself or her.
self into private social circles uninvited
There is however q vast difference between
public conveyances, hotels, places of amuse-
ments and private home. The latter is the
very sanctuary of life where are gathered the
family and friends. but there where there the
public is invited by landlords, railway man.
ayers steamboat companies, hotel keepers
and by those having control of places of pub
lie amusement. not being private, dependent
upon the patronage of the public in order to
secure business success on the one'hand and
meet the public demand on the other, must
by the very reason of being Incorporated for
the public good serve the public without dis
elimination. Another obvious reason if the
companies operating public places and con-
veyances derive their powers, charters and
incorporation from the states or the govern
ment, granted to them for public purposes
and presumably by the consent of the people,
| hold that no distinction should be made on
account of race or color providing that no in
fringement of the rules of propriety and de
cency are made and once the requirements
complied with between the citizen and the
public conveyance, the hotel or theatre the
contract should be faithfully carried out and
if not enforced.
1t does not speak well for our boast of civ
illzation, for our devotion to country, love of
liberty and fOndness for the liberality of our
institutions when We consider that in no
other land where slavery does not exist, are
"A portion of the people ostracised prescribed
and subject to humiliatiOns brought bout by
deem rooted preiudiceS except our own C,h
Columbia arise to- the sublime majesty of "a
truly great Republic, wipe out the inconsis-
tencies oi the past, remove the inequalities of
the present and live up TO the great mission
of ofcivilizins and christainZing your own peO-
pie first and this accomplished there, that
which will make up the boast of history and
the glorious result expressed in the gift of the
great French nation to- our own Che Bartholdi
Statue) Liberty enligh tening the World)."
JOSEPH SMOLINSKI.