The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1883-10-23

ished these incapacitlcs, might be
supported by the Thirteenth amend
ment, it does not therefore follow
that the act of 1877 can be supported
by it. ..a-N as5
Fourth-Tbatsfhis, decision affects
only the validity of tho, law in the
States, and not the Territories or
District Of Columbia, where the leg
islative power Of Congress is unlim-
tied, and it docs not undertake to de-
eide what Congress might or might
not do under its power to regular
commerce with foreign nations and
amongst the several States, the law
not being drawn with any such view.
Fifth-That therefore it is the
opinion of the court that the first
and second sections of the act of Con-
gress of March l, 1877, entitled "An
act to protect all citizens in their civ
il and legal rights are unconstitu-
tionaland void, and Judgment should
be rendered upon the indictments ac-
cordingly.s 4.tssArs
AT the conclusion of the reading of
Justice Bradley's opinion, which oc-
cupicd more than an hour, Justice
Harlan said that under ordinary cir
cumstances and in an ordinary case
he should hesitate to set up his indi-
vidual opinion in opposition to tnat
of his eight colleagues, but in viewo
what be thought, that the people of
this country wished TO accomplish
what they tried to accomplish and
what they believed they had accom-
plished by this legislation, he must
press his dissent from the opinion of
the court. He had not had time since
the hearing of the opinion to prepare
a statement on the grounds of his
dissent, but he should prepare and
file one as soon as possible, and in the
meantime desired put upon record
his expression of his individual
Judgment. @
| ATLANTA's RECEPTION OF THE DE-
414t CIsIoN. 'fA
Especial to the Courier Journal.
ATLANTA, Ga, Oct. l5.-An an
nouncement of the decision of the
Federal Supreme Court that the Civ
il Rights Bill was unconstitutional
was received with the widest en-
thusiasm. One year ago Haverly's
Minstrels played an engagement in
Atlanta. A well-dressed negro
named Johnson seated himself in the
drcss-circle, from whence he was es-
cortea by police officers, A month
ago suit under the criminal clause of
the Civil Rights Bill was instituted
against Manager Degive and Haver-
ly's Minstrels. Next day Prof. Chase
of the colored school here, was on his
way to Atlanta from Augusta with
several colored students. On being
told news Of the suit against Degive
Prof. Chase ostentatiously brought
the students into the ladies' car
when a great commotion was made,
and the Professor narrowly escaped
violence. These events created a
deep feeling here. By coincidence
the same troupe was playing here to-
night, and when one one of the end
men announced to the audience the
decision of the court the entire house
rose and gave three cheers for the re-
suit.
OPINIONS ON THE DECISION.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. 15.-The
National Republican will contain to-
morrow interviews with Fred. Doug
lass, Minister Langston, Prof. Green
er and other prominent colored men
on the decision of the Supreme Court
on the Civil Rights Act. They agree
in considering the decision a matter
for regret. Douglass thinks it is a
step backward, and places the United
States in the rear of the civilized ma
tions of Europe and America. Its
moral effect win he thinks. be mis-
chievous. Minister Langston, who
says he drafted the Civil Rights Bill
at the request of Charles Sumner,
says the only thing the coloreil peo-
4 pie In the States do when deprived
of their civil rights is TO bring action
under the common law in the State
courts. The Civil Rights Act he
says, did not confer any rights upon
the colored people, but merely pro-
vided for the enforcement of laws
confirming those rights, and conse-
quently the decision Of the court to-
day did not take away from the col
ored people any of the rights conferred
by the Fourteenth amendment.
WHAT HON. LYMAN TRUMBULL SAYS,
CHIoAeo, Oct l6.-Ex-United
States Senator Lyman Trumbull, in
, an interview on the Supreme Court
decision upon the Civil Right Bill,
says ho always considered ituncon-
: stitutional; that it attempted to con-
> fer on the negro social privilege
which he could only acquire person
. ally in common with other citizens,
y and that his civil rights as citizen ol
9 the United States are not injured by
= the decision. -
: |