Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-07-30
From the n. Y. independent
A Dreadful Case.

The journal of Commerce is disquieted be-
yond all measure at the prospect of negro
| equality. No sentence can well be con-
structed in which the term African or ne
gro is introduced, which does not, to its
fear, in some open or mysterious way,
seem to signify equality. Are slaves Of
rebels to be emancipated 1t is an at
tempt to make negroes equal to white
menl Are our generals inclined to receive
self-emancipated slaves, and to get impor-
tant information from them? Another
step toward negro equality But fear has
become terror, now that Congress has
clothed the Government with authority
to employ the African population in all
our armies, to perform the labors of the
camp, the drugery of intredching, and to
bear arms when their services indispensa-
bic. Its leader of Monday has as many
reasons against this eommon-sense- pro-
cedure as there are caterpilars on neg
lected spring apple-tree: -...r..--
z Now, for our part, we have not the least
fear that we shall be put down by negro,
At any rate, we intend TO make such good
use of our opportunities, that, If a negro
oyertakes us in the race, it shall be by
such splendid running as shall Justify his
precedence. But every man must be left
to Judge for himself. 1t the Journal of
Commerce men, upon careful estimate
of their relative capabilities, are satisfied
that they cannot hold their own in a fair
race with the negro. we do not blame
them for dreading defeat; but is it wise
to let all the world know it?
But, really, is there any real danger -
We think not. The gentlemen of that
journal have inherited a very poor stock in
politics, undoubtedly. But otherwise they
are estimable and skilful. They have
many advantages over the African, which,
by judicious outstanding, will keep them
creditably ahead. They are in the first !
place ,0hte, and in an honest way, too
Some negroes are white, but they come by |
their blood improperly. They are obliged
TO say. with the chief captain, with a
great sum obtained this ,ohiteness :" while
our friends with Paul can say, 80 But was
l1hite born. -. -..- .-.
Then, too, they have had good educa-
ton they have an honorable profession
an unquestioned position in society. They
have many preiudices in their favor, many
customs, and some laws. Indeed, with
anything like diligence in the use of means,
we think the editors of the Journal Of
Commerce Will come out ahead OF the ne
groes. But, should the dire fear be pro-
phetic, who is at fault, and what can we
do to help them? Both our disposition
and public profession oblige us to aid the
weaker side in all great strifes for pre-em-
inence. Hitherto, we have been consider
ate for the African. A child of heathen-
ism; under the yoke of bondage; uncouth
in personal appearance; excluded from
civil law, and pent up within slave code,
which, by the frank confession of its jurid-
ical expounders, seeks only the masters
interest; shut out from all ordinary in
dustrial pursuits, when set free, by pre-
iudice as impenetrablc rs buckthorn
hedge; the butt of ridicule; and shut
down by naughty public sentiment tothe
condition of an inferior race we have
hitherto supposed that benevolence should
have sympathy with the negro as the most =