Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-12-30
NEGROPHILIsM IN THE NORrH.


1t is not very long since, "couured" clergyman Of
New York. presumng upon that theoretical equality Of
white tnan aud black man, which the spirit of "(ree
socety recognizes and Its laws profess to guarantee
ventursd to select q scat in car which was appco
prated to the exclusive of the other race. This
audacious attempt OF the sable Doctor of Divinty,
to assert in practice the equality of right aud privi
lege Of which hc is possessed in contemplation Of
law, provoked his immediate expulsion from the car.
For so wsnton an outrage on bis person, the Rev.
DIR. Pennington invoked the retrbutve intercession
Of Northern justice. His suit for damages against
the Railroad company has just been determined by
the courts Of New York, and the result is, that the
gentleman Of color Informed by the adverse verdict
Of the jury that he has no right obtruds bis eboshin
aud gizzard foot in the presence Of white people, and
that for SO mpudsnt al assumption Of equality with
Abolitionsts Of the other race ho properly pun.
ished in a summary election from the train. SO he
took nothing by bis notion
all this occurred be it borne in mind, In the city of
New York, aud at the period most propiti"us for d
practical recognition Of the Abolition idea Of Etb
upian and Caucasian equality. BY the constitution
Of that State, tho negro is invested with the right OF
suffrage and other civil franchises, and the laws pro-
fsss to secure him in the quiet enjoyment Of his prv
leges. Yet, the courts have soiemnly adiudged that
it i, no offence to kick any negro Of the train who
presumes to sit iu the white mans presence 1tmat
ters not how decent his appearance or venerable his
character, though his face shine with the raven gloss
of Dooley's best black beaver, and an Immaculate
neck cloth attest hi. clerical cang-ail this will not
avail to entitls the Rev. DR.. Pennington 10 seat in
the came with Abolitionsts OF another color. he
may vote, aud exercise all the privileges OF free
citizen Of the Empire State but white neu's ncses
are not to be offended by the proximity OF his person
SO much for the liberty, fraternity and equality which
tho negro enjoys in free society
This case illustrates the utter futty Of the attempt
to lsgslate the negro up to level with the white
man. lie wears the stigma Of inferiority from the
hand Of the Creator, and it Is idle and impous to
talk of confoundng the distinctions Of nature by hu
man expediens. No matter what may be the theory
OF the Constitution and the letter Of the law, the in-
stinct Of will vindcate the order Of Providence
The morbid sepsbity Of a perverse nature may be
soothed with the idea of the universal equality of all
the various types and species of humanity, but that
same nature shrinks in unaffected disgust from any
personal application Of Its own amiable but impractIcs
bic theory. Not only does the white abotionist de-
ny his daughter to the negro, but refuses even to Sit
in the same car with bin.
We Of the South are not so contemrtnou, and cruel
towards the negro. We do not pretend, 1t is true, to
say that he ls competent to the great affairs of gov
s-umsnt nor do we admit him to equality With our
selves. We keep biu In the dependent and aervile
condition for which his nature f;s him, and in which
only be is happy. But, then We treat bim with ha
btual kiudness-wlth such compassionate oontro! as
suit. his feeble Intellect and his incapacly OF Sell
government. The subordination Of the negro and the
superiority Of the white arc so clearly denned In
our .y,,cm of society, that the master loses nothing
Of disuy by coud.scen-i'u 10 his slave, aly more
than he would be thought 10 l,wsr himself to level
with hs hors, by stroking its msne. Our wealth:es'
and most reiuel gentlemen ride in the same car WIN
negroes, without sny such display OF u'sa'y app''
ha;, 50 yu,o.r contempt Is waI exhibited ~ the
;.d;,nity upon the Rev. DR.. PeHuiu3;on. The E"grr
u the other hand, being irrtated by any contra
dction betwecu theoretical equality and practical
suoordiuaton, but being haoituated TO his serviie
condition and the supremacy OF the stronger race
may STAND upon level With the white man and no,
lose the consciousness Of his neriory 70. moment
We do not fatter him with fiction OF fraternity and
then kick him for presurirg on the fellowship.