The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-10-09
Negro Eaualtty Used I'm.

Lincoln, In his debate with Douglas at
Charleston, knocks the wind out Of the
negro-equality humbug in the following
humorous manner: ~ rszsz-. sz@
While was at the hotel to day an elderly
gentleman called upon me to know whether
| was really in favor of producing perfect
equality between the negroes and the white
people. Laughter.] While had not pro-
posed to myself on this occasion to say much
on that subject. yet as the question was
asked me, thought would occupy perhaps
hve minutes in saying something in regard TO
1t. | will say then that am not, and never
have been in favor Of bringing about in any
way, the social and political equality of the
white and black races, [applause] that |
nm not, and never have been in favor Of
making voters or jurors Of negroes, nor Of
qualifying them to hold Office, nor to inter-
marry with white people; and will say in
addition to this, that there is physical
difference between the white and black races
which believe will forever forbid the two
races living together on terms of social and
political equality. And inasmuch as they
cannot so live, while they do remain togeth-
er there must be the position of superior and
inferior, | as much as amy other man am in
favor OF having the superior position assign
ed to the white race. | say upon this occa-
sion do not perceive that because the white
man is to have the superior position the
negro should be denied everything. do
not understand that because do not want
negro " roman for slave must necessarily
want her for wife. [Cheers and laughter
My understanding is that can just let her
alone. nm now in my fiftieth year, and
certainly never had n black woman for eth
er n slave or wife. So it seems to me
quite possible for US to get along without
making either slaves or wives of negroes.
will add to this that | have never seen to
my knowledge man, woman or child, who
was in favor Of producing perfect equality,
social and political, between negroes and
white men. | recollect Of but one distin-
guished instance that | ever heard Of so
frequently as to be entirely satisfied of its
q Dtness-and that is the case of Judge
DdOklas friend. Col. Richard NJ. johnson.
Laughter and cheers. will also add to
the few remarks have made, (for am not
going to enter at large upon this sub iect,
that have never had the least apprehension
that or my friends would marry negroes if
there was no law to keep them from it,,
[laughter] but rs Judge Douglas and his
friends seem to be in great apprehension that
they might, if there was no law to keep them
from it. [roars of laugh,er] give him the
most St mn pledge that will to the very
last stand by the law of this State, which
forbids the marry ng of white people with
negroes. [Continued laughter and applause. ]
will add one further word, which is this,
that do not understand there is any place
where an alteration of the social and polti-
cal relations of the negro and the white man
can be changed except in the State Legisla-
ture-not in the Congress of the United
State-and as do not really apprehend the
approach of any such thing myself, and as
Judge Douglas seems to be in constant hor-
ror that some such danger is rapidly ap-
preaching, propose as the best means to
prevent it, that the Judge be kept at home
and placed in the State Legislature to fight
the measure. [Uproarous laughter and APP
pausc.] do not propose dwelling longer
at this time on this subject.