Year: 1874

Civil Rights in Congress.


SPEECH OF MIR. ELLIOTT OF 8. G.


Below we give extracts from the elo'
quent speech of the Hon. ROBERT E.
ELLIOTT, colored representative from
South Carolina, on the Civil Rights Bill
and in reply to Alexander II. Stephens,
of Georgia.


EXoRDIuM.


While / am sincerely grateful for this
high mark of courtesy that has been ac'
corded to me by this House, it is matter
of regret to me that it is necessary at this
day that | should rise in the presence OF
an American Congress 10 advocate bill
which simply asserts equal rights and
equal public privileges for all classes OF
American citizens. / regret, sir, that
the dark hue of my skin may lend a
color to the imputation that | am con-
trolled by motives personal TO myself in
advocacy of this great measure of ma
tional justice. Sir, the motive that i'm
pels me is restricted by no such narrow
boundary, but is as broad as your Con-
stitution. / advocate it, sir, because it
is right. The bill, however, not only ap-
peals to your justice, but 1t demands a
response from your gratitude. =


ELLIOTT ON STEPHENS.


When the honorable gentleman from
Georgia lends his voice and influence to
defeat this measure, | do not shrink from
saying that it is not from him that the
American House of Representatives
should take less1ns in matters touching
human right. or the joint relations of the
state and National Governments. While
the honorable gentleman contented him
self with harmless speculations in his
study. or in the columns of newspaper,
we might well smile at the impotence of
his efforts TO turn back the advancing
tide Of opinion end progress; but when
he comes again upon this national arena
and throws himself with all his power
and influence across the path which leads
to the full enfranchisement of my race,
| meet him only as an adversary; nor
shall age or any other consideration re-
strain me from saying that he now offers
this government, which he has done his
utmost to destroy, very poor return for
lis magnanimous treatment, to come here
and seek to continue, by the assertion OF
doctrines obnoxious to the true principles
of our government, the burdens and OPP
pressious which rest upon FIVE millions OF
his countrymen who never failed to lift
their earnest prayers for the success of
this government when the gentleman
was seeking to break up the Union of
these States, and to blot the American
Republic from the galaxy of nations.
Loud applause.


Sir, it is scarcely twelve years since
that gentleman shocked the civilized
world by announcing the birth of gov
eminent which rested on human slavery
as its cornerstone. The progress of
events has swept away that pseudo gov
ernment which rested on greed, pride
and tyranny and the race whom he then
spurned and trampled on are
here to meet him in debate, and to de-
mand that the rights which are enjoyed
by their former oppressors-who vainly
sought to owe throw a government which
they could not prostitute to the base uses
os slavery-shall be accorded TO those,
who, even in the darkness of slavery,
kept their allegiance true to freedom and
the Union. Sir, the gentleman from
Georgia has learned much since 1851
but he is still laggard. Let him put
away entirely the false and fatal theories
which have SO greatly marred an other
wise enviable record. Let him accept in
its fulluess and benifcence, the great
doctrine that American citizenship car
ries with it every civil and political
right which manhood can confer. Let
him lend his influence, and all his mas
terly ability, to complete the proud
structure of legislation which makes the
nation worthy of the great declaration
which heralded its birth, and he will
have done that which will most nearly
redeem his reputation in the eyes of the
world, and best vindicate the wisdom Of
that policy which has permitted him TO
regain his seat upon this floor.


PERORATION.


Sir, have replied to the extent of my
ability to the arguments which have been
presented by the opponents of this meas
ure 7 have replied also to some of the