Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-26

The Republican press generally
sustains the Republican Supreme
Courts abrogation of the Civil Rights
Act, although here and there may be
found an ostrich who charges the
whole thing on the Democrats. The
New York Times says:
Finally, after eight years, in which
the law has been practically dead
letter, the Supreme Court has decided,
as ii was evident that it must decide,
that the act was unconstitutional.
But while the law has, in one sense,
been imperative, in another it has
been Of great influence, and that mis-
chieyous. 1t has kept alive a preju-
dice against the negroes and against
the Republican party in the South,
which without it would have gradu-
ally died out. 1t has furnished dema.
sogues like Butler with the means Of
misleading the colored race, arousing
hostility among the Southern whites
and rendering the Republican party
ridiculous. Unhappily, the decision
which kills tho law comes too late to
remedy the ills which it produced,
The principle which it involves is no
longer an issue in national politics,
and can never again be made one. The
Judgment Of the court is but a final
chapter in history full Of wretched
blunders, made possible by the sins
cerest and noblest sentiment Of hu-
manity, but in which the cunning and
conscienceless sohemers OF the Butler
school have played the larger part"
This is about as strong language as
could be used, and yet the Tribune is
not behind the Times in its approval
of the ruling Of the Court. II says
various leaders Of the colored peo
| ple continue to show indignation ovel
the Civil Rights decision, which seem
exaggerated when it is remembered
that the law was practically a deaf
letter. In the African Methods
Episcopal Conference at Denver, Ont
of the Bishops declared that If tn
negroes rights we're to be thus tramp
led upon, there would be a 'revolu
ton Talk of this kind is certainl
III advised, and it is a pleasure to SC
that some colored leaders are NOR
sensible The Rev. Mr.. Laws,
Washington clergyman, who was
delegate to the Louisville Convention
says the Civil Rights law wS
useless one, and never did any on
any good. He is satisfied with tn
rights the race have under the COnsi
tuition, without any additional olai
legislation in their favor. The co
ored people should remember that th
Supreme Court has simply done il
duty in declaring the law as il finds
The Court could not have done othe
wise than say the law was unoonstitI
tional. and il is foolish to denount
the decision as il it involved SON
moral wrong or political treaeher
The best friends Of the race will Ia
them that they are better of withol
any law, but il they are satisfied the
must have one, their best plan is, il
stead Of abusing the Supreme Cour
} to induce Congress and the State Lee
islatures to take the subject up,
DOES not seem likely that Oongrel
: will pass any new civil rights laI
though its right TO make one ahectiI
only inter State Commerce, under Il
Commerce clause Of the Constitution
l will probably be conceded. No doul
: the States could also pass such Law
governing commerce within the
borders, but experience has show
how easy il is for the States also to g
> beyond their jurisdiction.