The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-10-25
PR ESS COMMENT.

from the New York Times, Republican,
IA the temper which the people have now
Reached hi dealing With questions That for
merly had Il sectional Significance find That
pertain to the relations of the races In this
country, II seems rs though nothing were nee
rssary hut careful reading Of the Four
ttriii amendment tn slow thnt II did not an
I horizc such legislation M the Civil Rights
net. and yet Judge Harlan Is 10 file Il dissent
ing opinion which may present considerations
that do not occur to the ordinary mind. The
prohibition Of the amendment Is specially d.
rccted against tho making and enforcing Of
laws ~ States which shall Hhrilgn
the privileges uni tM,nnnitius Uf citi-
zcns. Assuming that these cuncsuic the
right 10 equal accommodations I'm public
conscsanccs and places Of entertainment. II
does not appear IN any Of these cases that tho
State hms Iii It's legislation for the enforce
ment III laws nude the Discrimination COM
planned Of Thr decision II NOT likely to have
amy considerable practical effect, for the
reason that the net Of ls.5 has never been
enforced Spasmodic efforts have been made
to give II effect, and occasional contests have
been made in the courts, hut the general
practice OF railroads. hotels. and theatcrs has
remained unchanged. and has depended
mainly on tho 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
unjust prejudice against negroes and they
should be treated on their merits as individ-
uals precisely as other citizens are treated in
like circumstances. hut IL is doubtful IL So
cia privileges can be successfully dealt with
by legislation of any kind. At any rate, 1t is
now certain TINT they are beyond tho juris-
diction of the Federal Congress. II anything
can be done for their benefit ii must be
through State legislation. They are guar
anteed against adverse and discriminating
action by the States. and favorable action can
only be secured through State authority.
This rcmands the whole matter TO the field in
which II rightly belongs md in which alone II
can be ctfcctually dealt with.
From the New York World, De:Aocraticl
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 tho Thirteenth or Fourteenth
amendments any authority for legislation re-
qnirng. under penalties. that equal privileges
shall he accorded in hotels, railways and thea
tiers 70 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-concnrrence, and PROM
ises to file his opinion sustaining the law ut 4
future time. Judge Bradley was President
Grants appointment and Judge Harlan was
The blundcrs 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. Ii our colorcd
fcllow-eitizcns 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
he the color of his skin. That is their surcst
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 fanatical legislation In Com
press of few years ago by which Federal
laws provided penalties against innkcepcrs,
railway agents. thcatcr or restaurant man.
ayers who did not give privileges 10 colorcd
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 a law for such equal privileges, but 1t is
regarded rs Il dead letter. because rcfusa!s 10
colorcd people can be put upon assailabc
grounds by the use Of little tact and dis
erection.