The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-07-29
rns Rights Of Colored Mon.

An effort is being made to convince the
people that the democracy of the United
States are opposed 20 extending to coiored
men such social and political privileges as
nature and education have fitted them to rs-
tionally enjoy. If any one is impressed with
this belief he has blundered into grave or
ror. Prejudice against race or color 10 In
consistent with every principle OF the demo
cratic creed. and the intelligent advocates OF
that creed would rejoice if political eqashtys
and freedom were extended to every son Oh
Adsm on earth, capable of properly exercis-
ing the duties of self-government'
Rnt the democracy believe In another prln-
chile NO less sound and more obligatory up
on every citizen of the American republic;
and that is, that obedience to the law OF the
constitution is an exhibition of the highest
devotion to civil liberty of which an Ameri-
can citizen is capable. That constitution not
only recognizes the general right OF men to
self government, but il also recognizes the
right of the separate states to self govern
ment. We cannot advance the first right by
DENYING the last. We cannot enforce the
American theory of individual freedom by
annihilating the liberties of men in the ag-
grsgate. We can't rightfully extend freedom
to the few by denying freedom to the many
We cannot preserve the constitution by des-
troying it, nor can we make the people more
free by enforcing freedom upon any portion
of them at the point of the bayonet. in spite
of the constitution. Is this faith right or 10
il wrong? If right, let us con6ne our efforts
for the progress and freedom of the negro
within the law. If wrong, let US abandon
our present form OF government at once, ana
trust the freedom of the people In future 10
the superior virtues of despotic power.
eve" have an opinion as to the rights
L. Qcfr mi
and North Carolina. eve" also have an
opinion as to the rights which paupers and
aliens ought to enjoy in Massachusetts, and
Rhode Island. ''We" also have an opinion
as to the rights that belong to the people OF
Mexico. There is not clergyman, pollti-
clan or an editor in the northern states who
has not some opinion as to local governments
elsewhere, The editors of the republican
newspapers are very busy just now in telling
mankind what Fought to be done" in all the
southern states. But, perhaps fortunately
for the peace of the world, I'VE" northern
people have no political jurisdiction in any o.
these distant localities, and no government
human or divine, can give us any rightfu
| jurisdiction there. What ought we TO d.
about it? Shall we follow the lead of the re
publican reformers, trample upon the consti
| tuition of the government, lay waste the lanc
with fire and sword, enslave the masses VIII
oppose U.s. attribute oil our calamities to those
| who resist aggression, and thus impos
| upon the world notions. which, after al, IN ~
| prove miscellaneous and impraoticable-o
shall we adhere to the faith of the democra
cy, and trust the redemption of the world q
the moral influences of civilization and tn
operation of such benefcient laws as q JUS
regard for the liberties of the whole peopl,
permit? No patriot or christian can Civ
but one answer to the inquiry Miicaukt
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