Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-09-29
THE GAZETTE.
SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER ."
lCOMMENICATEn
TIE LEvELLER-By J. 3. Johnson.

only absurd in FORM but unreasonable IN ia
jure; and when they are preposcrously bent
E,y misconceived notions, it is almost impossible
10 wcan them from the prejudice acquired by
INSTRUCTED attention An evenly balanced ~
tellcct is rarely disturbed bythefol OF badly
conducted understanding; but one that has been
much vcxed by the disturbance arising from an
impcriect examination OF the various objects OF
interest with which it deals, is apt to allow its
temper to be spoiled, and takes its Impressions
Of matters from the light in which lis mislnan-
agemcnt makes them appear. As the shadow
is visible long before the substance that forms
it is approached, 80 incorrect intelligence results
10 making morbid influences paramount IN the
mental composition Of The individual by whom
il is renewed, and leads him to conclude that
everything which does not work well under his
inspection, is wrong, and ought to be gnvcrncd
by his action, and mode Of reasoning. Hence,
the divers theories that are so abulidantly put
forth in reference to the application Of the ascn-
ccs which affect the prosperity and happiness
Of mankind.
Among the many notions which have thus
arisen, thar of the ''EquolIy Of all Mem " is
the greatest tavorite with the Lcvcer If AL
Incn were equal, there would be no dispute
about hesu5ject The proof worid be too clear
;lcuied shows too plainly that there must be
some very strong evidence that they az all not
equal ana that, that equality is very difficult
# in. .fragable demonstration The fact Is ali
!ncn are not equal, never have been, aud never
can be while invested with those cnrrliaal differ
cnccs which enable the senses to identify enc
man in the midst Of a thousand others and to
name with correctness, the species 10 which he
belongs They differ as much as diversity has
the power to make them; and the distinctive
lines which separate the races arc as clear now,
as they we've four thousand years ago. The de-
c!aration that ''all men are created equal, is as
wild and unreasonable as it would be for the
jujS01r0,iA to say, that persons should not be
piven in marriage; for Adam and Eve were our
common palCntS and We are, therefore, all
brothers and sisters, and shoul! not, as a con
sequence, yield encouragement to matlInnny.
Neither facts, argument DOR ridicu|a will weau
the i4cyvier from his mistaken zeal; and he is
ever persistent in proc!aimlng that It Il differ
cnce does exist among the respective races OF
the human family, it Is not real, but only APP
parent and that it does not arise from dis
similarity which forbids the equality OF all men,
which act hencfclaly to one class to the preju-
dice Of another On this plea, and nor e her,
Goes he base his demand for a reformation OF
those statutes, which he AYERS anne. contra
vene the hcst0wal OF equality TO ali men. lie
advocates his cause IN aIl aggrlcreu Splrlt,and
strives not to bring the source OF his efforts Rp
te the full measure of the laws which he desires
10 repeal, but to bring the laws, Ia special
lnauncr. t, the Ieve! OF particular cases, and il
tho ohjec; which he proposes to benz tit does not
Snit the law, bis whole energy is devoted to The
exDedcnt Of making the law fit the O(ioct.-
Hence, the effect of his efforts is not judicious
reformainn but destruction; and his Hfinencc
IS ever ininical TO quiet morality. II" willingly
consents TO the applicability Of general facts TO
81! subjects save those Of his peticl theory, and
contempt,!ously discards every Of reasoning
that does not accord with his praCoucclgei no
lions lie admits the necessity OF The exiSt;nrc
Of q fixed rule for the weights and measures
which govern the operations OF commerce and
mechanism, and readily avalls himself Of the
Use OF the standard, If the coin that is present
ed to him for value received, does not contain
its tabular worth, and never, for moment,
:hnks Of having pound weight OF Il pint
measure changed to suit the inadequate bulk OF
those articles intended to be tested ny them
but insists upon the article being governed by
the standard, and not the standard 10y the art
Gle. Wis he allows to be both Just and rcgu-
lar; but he cannot be induced to consent 10 The
usefulness Of an exalted standard, whereby men
are made to show some claim above the brnte5,
il order to cutite them to all the privileges Of
the moral, social and political organizations Of
honorable and rational human beings.
Equality can only exist among equals, aud
inieriority among interiors. Each may toIcr-
ac the o. her. but they will always re listin-
.,,I Ia 1th h,i, l.l,t IL.
and if IN attempt should be made to level
:!,c;n, the work would no sooner have been
Gouc' ,h.n i would have to be renewed again.
Distinction might, for moment. he obscGred.
but il would return in an instant, and leave the
the !,cvcl,cr where he started at lie threshold