"Civil Rights." Speech of Hon. Robert B. Elliott, of South Carolina, in the House of Representatives, January 6, 1874.

First edition. 8pp. Two 2pp. double-sided sheets with one folded 4pp. sheet. Extremely fragile piece, on brown and heavily chipped paper, with substantial loss to margins and some splitting, partially affecting text, though with minimal loss along folds. Edges friable and still flaking in portions. Please see note these issues, visible in the high resolution photos. A significant speech given by an African American congressman during Reconstruction, this item is priced to reflect its condition.

Robert Brown Elliott a Caribbean-born African American member of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina, serving between 1871 and 1874. Prior to his election, he formed the nation's first known African-American law firm, Whipper, Elliott, and Allen, with William Whipper and Macon B. Allen. Along with being elected for two terms in the US House, he served as South Carolina Attorney General and Speaker of the South Carolina State House. While in Congress, he was known for his powerful rhetoric in favor of civil rights, with the speech here being a defense of the Civil Rights Bill:

"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 national 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, because it is right."