Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-07-09

10, Dec. 1912, by 5. Wilkerson, jr.
The essence Of Democracy is Equality.
Accordingly, every thorough revolution of
monarchic or a Democratic state, has
expresscdy forbidden any citizen to be
Invested at the instant Of his birth with the
right of legislator. II has declared that
wealth should not confer exclusive polili-
cal privileges, and that no man should be
called by name that denoted a class, or
that borrowed from ieudal states fiatlcring
distinctions IN property, birth and dignity.
1t has thus consistently nve sted is idea
of Equality with those forms il could com
mand. And this is the extent 10 which
any society proceeding 10 organize the
Democratic condition could rightfulIy APP
ply its coercion. This much was within
It's power. For it had the person and the
property upon which 10 exert its VIII, aId
TO compel obedience. But laws cannot
fo:clbly penetrate into the SOIL, and leave
shero their spirit. Their en-, prc is ma
'eriaI empire, aud the Equality that grows
out Of political forms, or is maintained by
fhem is imperfect Ii is a lamp without
oil and without flame.
equality which has its growth in the soul.
sud come. not out of any legislative body.
What IS the great principle that W. feel,
each oi US, IN our unreasonlng CONSCIOUS
ness, that II rests on If we trace it as
one woulI trace down the branch ill he
found the trunk, we shall come with plea
sure TO the Law Of Love. He who gave
this law, gave II 80 the primary model of
Democratic fellowship. The Muster was
iho servant Likewise, and the Heavenly
Law-glvcr who commanded to - love one
another" and who was ministered unto of
gill ering angels. Himself took the Office
oi Il minister, aud washed the feet of poor
fisherman BeLevoeuce IS nlced the lite
spirit of Equality.
Now let US see what this principle would
de-, rnl;rIng, sincere and active, into the
association OF men. Ii would diffusc
throu 1hout II The sen neut of personal
respect tho foundation OF much that is
excellent in us. The cltizrn whose patri-
m"ny was but his axe, and who stood up
on piece of virgin tmberrd land that he
had Just bought on credit based upon
his ch iractcr Tor perseverance, and for in
du,try, would zoe without discomfort annth.
81 ride ca,iiy by in "A costly rquirage.-
IL" would say good-humourcdIy, d" am
not tied, good sir! The prth is as open
10 me as II was To- you. ION caanoi make
Law that l cannot unmrke In all the
essential attributes of IN IN alil citizen
am your match - But not to linger
here. Real equality would effect a com
nlnlty OF knoAlcIg, and of feeling it
world dIstrib tic the SUM o. the facts and
truths collected in any society, rs the law
oE gravitaion stri ute, fluids upon ii
r%itn. For men in an unobstructed inter
cou' 81 Impart themselves 10 each othcr.-
No law of copyright, and no patent law,
can there confirm TO any one the exclusive
possession OF PHI, steal or moral truths
The use aud profit Of idc IS got from his
own men,al processes, or impaired by his
nnIghbor, can now NJ longer be peculiar.
Ills laboratory is unlenced-it is trayersed
by all walkers without let or hlndrance.
We impsrl because we are social. Pride
ot distinction, too. unlocks our inward
treasure and exposes it.. No man either
can Conceal his true self HIS air, his
movement, his yo,ce, his dealings reveal
HIM. lie communicates the ct,ci of cor
rect literature, (Which is lis end, rs the
wlrc communicates the gaIvanism evolved
from the acid.and the ZuC lie breaches
inaHdlhly, without words, great Truths -
the truth OF mans dign ty-the duty of
l.oving-Ih duty and the policy of being
Honest. The process of reasoning with
which large soul shook from it Il huriluI
prcJud ce, cIrcuaies in thus vast assembly
ol true aud commingljng Democracy
fluent as the water Of Jordan SO healing
10 The sick Syrian. Ii has no obstruction
but flows everywhere, and everywhere re.
calls To Nature and Ia health. The idea
ot sincere ard clear-sightcd man, Cor
ccd tn pierce untruth and dishonest sham
is here passed from hand To hand like 4
spear. No barrier Is now inIerposed be
tween Poverty and Wealth The one en-
tcrs as into the domain of brother, and
the other without arrogance gives from a
fund OF which he is but the trustee. No
decree OF non-intercourse locks up virtue
IN pure breast. Ii goes out freely, and
comments itself in the persuasion Of beau
" 10 all boholders.
| take II q en- To be one office of Democ.
racy, 10 establish such u soc al intercourse
between all the members OF q community,
that the less good may become better, and
the less wise wiser. BcneYolence demand,
this office of society, and the progression
OF man requires it.
How naturally then do those descend.
ants OF kidnapped Africans, escaped here
INTO our midst, from out Of debasing
system Of slavery, inplore us to teach
them and guide them, How natural are
those combinations 10 overthrow the sys-
tenn itself, and TO lift up its abased sons
aud daughters And how naturally too
did the Christening sentiment Of northern
philanthropy refuse its favor TO any scheme
ot benevolence, whose result was 10 expa-
tale the Colorcd man from the land of his
h'rth, and TO encircIe him with the ntluen-
ces OF barbarism.
IL Tue democracy we are in the habit Of
po'S'''S oil mas been true, loving De-
m"cracy TO this oppressed race, or il il has
cruelty refused them lis office, let each one
o. us pronounce In the silence of our own