The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-10-25
ESS COMMENT.

From the New York Times, Republican,
In the temper which the people have now
reached i'm dealing with questions that for
merly had sectional significance and that
pertain to the relations of the races in this
country, il seems rs though nothing were nee
essary but careful reading of the Four
teenth amendment to show that IL did not au-
horize such legislation as the Civil Rights
act, and yet Judge Harlan is to file dissent
ing opinion which may present considerations
that do not occur TO the ordinary mind. The
prohibition of the amendment is specially di-
rocted against the making and enforcing OF
laws by States which shall abridge
the privileges and immunities of citi-
zcns. Assuming that these concede the
right 10 equal accommodations in public
cOnveyances and places of entertainments 1t
does not appear in any of these cases that the
State has i'm its legislation for the enforce
ment of laws made the determinations COM
planned Of The decision Is not likely to have
any considerable practical effect, for the
reason that the act of 1875 has never been
enforced Spasmodic efforts have been made
TO give il effect, and occasional contests have
been made in the courts, but the general
practice of railroads, hotels, and theaters has
remained unchanged. and has depended
mainly on the prevailing sentiment of the
communities in which they are located. The
question OF absolute right is not affected by
the constitutional amendment or the decision
of the Supreme court. There is good deal OF
should be treated on their merits as indvid-
uals precisely as other citizens are treated in
like circumstances. But ii is doubtful IL So
cial privileges can be successfully dealt with
10y legislation of any kind. AT any rate, it is
now certain that they are beyond the turis-
diction of the Federal Congress. If anything
can be done for their benefit IL must be
through State legislation. They are guar
anteed against adverse and discriminating
action by the States, and favorable action can
a. through
This remands the whole matter To the field in
which il rightly belongs and in which alone it
can be cffectually dealt with.
From the New York World. Democratic.l
The decision of the Supreme court OF the
United States declaring the Civil Rights law
unconstitutional will create much excitement
among the negro population. The court does
not find in the Thirteenth or Fourteenth
amendments any authority fOrslegislatton re-
qniring, under penalties, that equal privileges
shall be accorded i'm hotels, railways and thea
tiers to colorcd and white citizens alike.
The opinion, singularly enough, is written
by Justice Bradley, of New Jersey, while the
only dissenting voice Is that of Justice Har-
Ian, of Kentucky. The latter Judge records
the notice of his non-concurrence, and prom
Uses TO file his opinion sustaining the law ut a
futures time. Judge Bradley was President
Grants appointment and Judge Harlan was
appointed by Hayes.
The blunders by which the object of equal
social rights has thus been defeated are those
of the Republicans. The Democrats have no
responsibility in the matter. If our colored
felow-citizens act wisely they will accept the
result with silence and will strive by self
Improvement and good citizenship TO win the
respect and consideration TO which every
honest man is entitled, no matter what may
be the color of his skin. That Is their surest
way to equal rights and TO the sympathy OF
all whose friendship is worth having.
From New York Truth Independently
The United States Supreme court has put
a quietus on the flnatical legislation in Con-
gress of n few years ago by which Federal
laws provided penalties against innkeepers,
railway agents, theater restaurant man
ayers who did not give privileges TO colored
people equal to those given white people.
The court almost unanimously hold that only
the States can regulate such matters, and
that the Federal statutes and penalties in
question are unconstitutional. This state
has law for such equal privileges, but IL is
regarded as dead letter, because refusals to
colored people can be put upon assailable
grounds 10y the use of IA little tact and dis
erection.