Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1865-03-11
SATURDAY MORNING, MARCH IL, 1866,
Political Equality.

1t is a remarkable fact that in times
of great popular excitement extreme
ideas upon subjects which tend to raise
that enthusiasm almost universally pre-
vail; that the tendency of the popular
mind, collectively, like that of an indi-
vidual, is to form extreme views, which
in calmer moments would be unhesitat-
ingly condemned. This is particular
~ observable at the present time, and
we find in certain quarters disposition
manifested to endow the negroes freed
by the war with all the rights and priv
ileges, social and political, of Amer
lean citizens. John Browns praises
are sung, and hisinsane acts held up as
worthy of imitation, instead of recciv-
ing the censure of abiding citizens.
Those who have ever clamorcd for the
abolition of slavery, are not now con-
tent that the darling wish of their lives,
through the irresistible course of events
is being rapidly accomplished; but
they are still in the van, still claiming
to be in advance of the age, and now
advocate not only civil equality, but So
cial and political equality for the black
race. We hold that the stability Of re-
publican government depends upon the
intelligence of the masses, and that the
higher the degree and the more gener-
al the diffusion of useful knowledge,
the safer and better will be the govern
ment. Popular ignorance has con-
tributed not little to precipitate tho
present difficulties upon our country.
The black race is vastly inferior to our
own, and never can be it's equal. If
we accept the the theory of fanatical
philanthropy, and admit that education
would raise the negro to a white level,
it is evident that the process would be
slow, and beset by many difficulties.
Wendell Phillips wishes to give the
negro a vote, as the means of placing
him on a social equality. He said, in
a speech of last December, in New
York city, "Give him 1.-THE negro] the
ballot in Louisiana or Alabama, and
the demagogues of both parties will be
cap in hand before him." This is just
what we object to. Let US first see if
he is capable of education, or possessed of
mental qualifications necessary for the
proper use and exercise of political
power, and then when the race has been
brought up to the required standard,
will be the proper time to decide upon
his right to full citizenship. They
should be something more than mass
of putty, which "demagogues" could
mould to suit this or that parpnse. or
sdv,pce this OF that end. - they saw
IT. In Is a question Of much doubt
however, whether the negro can Re 30
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