170
A SCHOOL HISTORY OF THE
was in the Forty-second Congress, while a repre¬
sentative of South Carolina, that he impressed him¬
self indelibly upon the minds of his country as a
man of giant intellect and rare oratorical ability.
Alexander Stephens of Georgia, Beck of Kentucky,
Harris of Virginia, had severely assailed the con¬
stitutionality of the Civil Rights Bill, after which
Mr. Elliott arose and addressed the House as fol¬
lows, an effort that bespeaks the ability of the man:
" Mr. Speaker, while I am sincerely grateful for the
high mark of courtesy that has been accorded me
by this House, it is a matter of regret to me that it
is necessary at this day that I should rise in the
presence of an American Congress to advocate a
bill which simply asserts rights and equal privileges
for all classes of American citizens. I regret, sir,
that the dark hue of my skin may lend a color to the
imputation that I am controlled by motives personal
to myself in my advocacy of this great measure of
natural justice. Sir, the motive that impels me is
restricted by no such narrow boundary, but is as
broad as your Constitution. I advocate it, sir, be¬
cause it is right. The bill, however, not only appeals
to your justice, but it demands a response to your
gratitude. In the events that led to the achieve¬
ment of American independence the Negro was not
an inactive or unconcerned spectator. He bore his
part bravely upon many battle-fields, although un-
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