The N.C. Republican, and civil rights advocate., 1884-05-22
On Qu,cksan Il 5551fIfnG'1T SIS
srr7rr 3. a,EE1-ASaDtJ DILL.

We give in another column the civil
Rightsi Bill introduced in the present
Congress by Senator Edmunds, of Yer
mont, His great ability as lawyer fits
him for the work of perfecting such leg
islatiOn on this subject as will stand the
test of the unfriendly disposition of the
majority of the Supreme Court as mani
tested in their late decision against the
constitutionality Of the Civil Rights leg
islation now on the statute books. The
long experience of Senator Edmunds as
a Republican leader III Congress and his
pure and elevated character as man and
Christian statesman point him out as
being, above all others, the appropriate
and chosen leader in in this work of Sc
curing to all American citizens the full
rights of citizenship. He is at this time
the president of the Senate, and promi-
nent candidate for the Presidential nomi-
nation. 1t is fortunate that a gentlemen
| occupying such high position before the
| country comes forward at this iuncture
| to champion the cause of civil rights.
| Is this time for the cause of to be aban-
| dOned in North Carolina or set aside for
| the sake of a doubtful bargain with a
| faction of the enemy? Perhaps the in
considerate neighborhood leaders who
controlled the Raleigh Convention had
never seen the bill of Senator Edmunds
and were not aware of the fact that
the great leaders of their party are now
most earnestly engaged in the great
work which they seem so ready to aban-
don for a mess of pOttage.
We print in our paper and call at
tention to this bill, for the purpose
mainly of keeping the Republicans of
this State reminded Of the fact that the
work of equal rights is still going on in
the national councils, supported by the
greatest and best men of the nation,
and that even the adverse decisions and
unfriendly disposition of the Supreme
Court do not discourage the old Repub-
lican vrterans and heroes If the Con
stitution shall be found obstinately in
the way of the full security of Civil
Rights by Congressional Legislation,
then the Constellation mHSt be dmended
The Republican party secured the great
amendments that have made former
slaves free citizens, and the same party
will secure. if found necessary, another
amendment that will enable the nationa
government to enforce in the States the
practical enjoyment of all this right O
citizenship The work of the past wa'
accomplished not by "coalescing' witt
enemies, but by fighting and beatins
them. Let the friends of civil right:
be of good cheer, stand to their faitl
? and never desert the flag. The clouds
| that have arisen in Virginia and Nortf
f Carolina will pass away if we stanc
firm and close our ears to the seduc
tive whispers of the enemy. 1t is bette
1 and more manly to fall by the hand 0
+ an open enemy than to be smothereC
in the bed Of false friends, seeking th'
refuge Of coward. Spirit and nerve
must be relied upon, not only agains
r open enemies. but to teach pretended
Y friends that treachery and attempted
deception will be resented and re
sisted.
e The canvass in this State is not We
/. fairly opened The nominees of th'
V Raleigh Conventions have not yet sig