The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1857-08-26
Equality OF dhe Negro.

ne oppolIoh1o VI ~
hard pushed. They show the weakness
of their cause by fearing to meet the sim
pie issue of political equality; but they
raise the cry that it is the aim Of the Re
publican party to elevate the negro to
social equality with the white race. But
that we may not do injustice to our opno-
nents by fslsely stating their position, we
viii let them speak for themselves. we
find the following article in the Mineral
Point Democrat, where it is credited to
the Lancaster Democrat. Do not fail to
read it:
It is the apparent design ofthe Abolitionists
or Black Republicans to legislate the negro III
10 position of equality with the whites
They even legislate against the Constitution
Of the United States and declare those voters
whom the Constitution excludes from cltlzeh-
shin. They 90 even farther than this. and
declare an equality to exist where the Almighty
has placed a wide and unmistakeable differ
cnce, a deep inferiority. In this they not only
initiate against the provisions of the Constitu-
ton and laws Of their countrv, but set thelr
own weak judgments up IN opposition TO the
working of Omnipotent design, Their acts are
impious, and plainly put in words are, 600
has done i'll in Grating the negro inferior 10
the whites, therefore we will improve upon His
work and make him equal to us. mus II is
politically; now let Us look at the idea OF equa-
1ity in a social aspcct-for it is idle to say that
al t,,1 equality
every respect should occupy an inferior social
rosifion. How woull it suit our abolition
friends TO have big buck negro, woolly head
cd, forehead sloping back at an angle say, OF
sixty degrees carrying with him the mingled
odor of q nigeer'' and cologne, walk into his
rarlor with the air of one who had a right
there, and enquire in patronizing way for his
wifi. and the lubly Miss Julia 2
Or. better still with all his matchmaking
ideas, how would he relish the idea OF having
such an animal address his daughter with
matrimonial intent occupying his parlor
.s,,arkipg Sunday nights" and how would
Niss Julia relish such beau? Yet if the race
is the equal Of the whites they are entitled to
an equal position; and if entitled to be consid-
cred politically equal they have right TO
demand social equality as well. II socially
Cnual the idea of intermarriaGe, OF amalgalna-
ton is perfectly proper, for what should pre-
vent it !? Thus it is that one absurdlty brings
with it another! Black Republlcansm, Ii SIT
ed, is a mass of crudities and absurdltes. The
idea of anlalgamation, of negro social equality,
is repugnant to every white person OF the least
refinement or intelligence. There IS an IN
stinctiye feeling that tells the white race they
arc the superior race. that to mingle on terms
of equality with the black, is a degradation.
1t is not prejudice that causes this feeling 1t IS
the incontcstible evidence of inferiority forced
upon the mind 1t is the fact of inferlorlty, a
fIct that neither education nor legislation can
change To attempt it is to war against ma
ture itself-a conviction which will force itself
upon the mind of every person who will can
didly investigate the subject.
Now We dislike to make any remarks
on this piece. It's assertions are unblush-
ingly false, and its logic is as weak as
homeopathic broth. But the question
involved is one of paramount Importance,
and If our opponents misstate the ques-
ton at issue, it becomes OUT duty to at
tempt to show the error of their asser-
lions. The whole force of this. article is
derived from the assertion that political
equality necessarily confers social equality,
This position is false. Political equality
is the natural right of all men. 1t is q
God-given inheritance which every color
may claim. 1t has the broadcast and most
emphatic recognition in the Declaration
of INDEPENDENCE, and is one of the plain
est teachings of unprejudiced reason.
Social equality IS limited. No law or
party can confer 1t. It is a thing of birth
and breeding, of education, talent and
culture. Yet we are told st is idle to say
that the man who is entitled to political
equality in every respect should occupy
an inferior social position How idle is
such an assertion. The vilest and most
ignorant rufian who inhabits the 'Fiye
Points" of New York and deposits his
rum-bought vote in the ballot box, has
equal political rights with Seward or Sey
mour. Is he their social equal? But
there is no use talking. The device is to
transparent to deceive. Ifsuch talk proves
anything it is that that those who use it
are inferior to the negro in intelligence,
and should be disenfranchi,ed on account
Of mental mftness. The idea of ANAL
gamation seems to hawftshe disturbed
brain of these Black Pe2glAoliean haters,
like Banquo's Ghost ii W WV ''down,"
They see
NisCcys to RIGHT of the7,,-