Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1960-02-05
KCrSh Twifs COP
On Civil Rights
Position In Congress
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E0SAHB0u bu SOu9TSSS
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that If he did mean it that they
can have that most dubious honor;
they deserve IL; it is theirs.
Contrary TO previous denials, the
fact is that a coalition exists be-
tween Southern Democrats and
Northern Republicans. I am quite
confident in my own mind that
somewhere, somehow, by some
body, either in this House or out
side Of 1t, the Republicans have
had their soul sold on the civil
rights issue; and despite my COM
plete disagreement with my col
leagues from the South on this
particular subject, I certainly can
better understand their position
than can that Of the Republicans
from the North. The Democrats
from the South have been con-
sistent in their opposition and they
have been honest in stating their
opposition to civil rights legisla-
ton We cannot say this is true
for the other party.
Mr. Speaker, from the report of
the US. Commission on Civil
Rights, the study of three partic-
ular aspects; namely, voting, hous-
ing and education, has allowed
them to see the organic nature
of the problem as a whole.
The problem is one Of securing
the fun rights Of citizenship to
those Americans who are being
denied in any degree that vital
recognition Of human dignity, the
eqUal protection Of the laws.
The Commission reports further
that this is now largely a racial
problem With but one exception,
the only denials Of the right to
vote brought to the attention of
the Commission. were reasons of
race or color. This is clearly the
issue in education, they so state,
as well as it is true in public hous-
ing.
The Commission concludes from
these findings that
If a way can be found to secure
and protect the civil rights of this
minority group. If a way can be
opened for them to finish moving
up from slavery to the fun human
dignity Of first-class citizenship,
then America will be well on its
way toward fulfilling the great
promises of the Constitution.
recognize that the task of I'M
doing more than a century of I'M
equal treatment is one of Goliath
proportions. But this does not and
should not indicate that it shall
not or cannot be done. In fact
this gives cause for greater chal-
lenge and greater effort 50 that
the 14th and 18th amendments of
the Constitution should not stand
nullified- It is obvious that this
task has not been made easier by
extreme lawlessness, violence, and
unparalleled disregard and open
defiance Of court decisions.
It is noteworthy, I believe, to
recall that just a few short months
ago, the hue and cry for individual
rights or equal rights within labor
unions was loud and clear. How
ever, it was odd to note that some
Of those using that argument most
forcibly are those who refuse to
sign the discharge petition and
therefore to grant really true jus
tice to all Americans, under diff
ferent circumstances, even inso-
far as the right to vote Is concern
ed Now I have been in politics
long enough to know that there
are two sides to every coin, but
outright "tomfoOlery" is easily rec
ognized as I am confident 1t Is In
this case.
In the Civil Rights Act Of 1857,
Congress recognized that enforce
ment of constitutional guarantees
Is a matter of concern to the
people as a whole.
The world recognizes that, for