Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-01-19

intelligence or virtue, but because of di-
vine right to enjoy exclusive privileges.
Our fathers repudiated the whole doctrine
of the legal superiority of families or races,
and proclaimed the equality of all men be-
fore the law, upon that they created revo-
luton and built the Republic They were
prevented by slavery from perfecting the
superstructurc whose foundation they had
thus broadly laid For the sake of the
Union they consented to wait, but never re-
linquished the idea Of its final completion.
The time to which they looked forward with
anxiety has come. Ii IS our duty to COM
plete their work. If this Republic is not
now made to stand on their great principle,
IT has no honest foundation, and the Father
of all men viii still shake it in its centre.
If we havenot yet been sufficiently scourg-
ed for our national sin to teach us to do JUS
tice to all God Is creatures, without distinc-
ton of race or color, we must expect the
still more heavy vengeance OF an offended
Father still Increasing his infections as lie
Increased the severity of the plaques OF
Egypt until the tyrant consented to do JUS
tice, and when that tyrant repented of his
reluctant consent, and attempted to re-en-
slave the people, as our Southern tyrants
are attempting to do now he filled the Red
Sea with broken ehariots and drowned hors-
es, and strewed the shores with dead car
casses.
Mr. Speaker trust that the Republican
party will not be alarmed at what / am say
ing. I do not profess to speak their senti-
ments nor must they be held responsible
for them. speak for myself and take the
responsibility and viii settle with my intel
ligent constituents. This is not white
man s Government. in the exclusive sense
in which it is used. To sayso is political bias
phemy, for it violates the fundamental prin-
ciples of our gospel of liberty This is
man IS government of all men alike. Not
that all men will have equal power and sway
within it; accidental circumstances, natural
and acquired endowment and ability will
vary their fortunes-but equal rights to all
the privileges of the Government is innate
in every immortal being, no matrer what
the shape or color Of the tabernacle which
it inhabits. IF equal privileges were grant
ed to all | should not expect any but white
men to be elected to Office for long ages to
COME The prejudice engendered by Sla-
very would not soon permit merit to be pre-
ferred to color. Butt would still be benc-
fetal to the weaker races. In a country
where political division viii always exist
their power, Joined with just white men,
would greatly modify if it did not entirely
prevent the injustice of majorities without
the right of suffrage in the late Slave
States l do not speak of the Free States.
The slaves had far better been left in bond
age | see it stated that very distinguished
advocates of the right of suffrage declared
in this city that they do not expect to obtain
it by Congressional legislation but only by
administrative action; because as one gallant
gentleman said the State had not been out
Of the Union; then rhey will never get it.
The President is far sounder than they. He
sees that administrative action has nothing
to do with it. IF it ever is to come it must
be Constitutional amendments, or Congress
sional action ia the territorial and enabling
acts. How shameful these men of influence
should mislead and miseducate the public
mind They proclaim this is the white
mans Government, and the whole coil of
Copperheads re-echo (hiss) the same senti-
ments, and upstart, jealous Republicans
join the cry Is it any wonder ignorant
foreigners and illiterate natives should learn
this doctrine and be led to dispise and NAL
trent whole race of their fellow-men. Sir,
this doctrine of white mans government
is as atrocious as the infamous sentiment
that damned the late Chief Justice to ever
lasting fame, and | fear to everlasting fire.