The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-03-21

system shall have been fully and fairly
tried. All changes Of systems, or propos-
ed reforms, are but experiments and prob
lens to be solved. Our system of seif-go-
yernment was an experiment at first. Per-
haps, as problem, II is not yet solved.
Our present duty on This subject is not
with the past or the future. 1t is with the
present. The wsest and best men often
err in their judgments as to the probable
working Of any new system. Let US, there
fore, give this one fair and Just trial,
without prejudice. and with that earnest
ness of purpose which always looks hope
fully to success. 1t is an chronological prob
lem, on the solution Of which depends net
only the best interests Of both races, but,
il may be, the existence of one or the 9th
er. il not both. This duty OF giving this
new system fair and just trial will require
Of you, as Legislators of the land, great
changes in our former laws in regard to
this large class Of population. Wise and
humane provisions should be made for
them. 1t is not for me TO go into detail.
Suffice il 10 say, on this occasion, that am
pie and lull protection should be secured
10 them so that they may stand equal be-
fore the law in the possession and enjoy
ment Of all rights Of personal liberty and
property. Many considerations claim this
at your hands. Among these may be stated
their fidelity in times past. They cultiva.
ted your fields, ministered 20 your person
al wants and confsrt, nursed and reared
your children, and even in the hour of dan
ger and peril they were in the main true
to you and yours. To them we eve debt
of gratitude as well as acts of kindness.
This should also be done because they are
poor, untutored, uninformrd, many Of them
helpless, liable to be imposed upon, and
need it. Legislation should ever look TO
the protection of the weak against the
strong. Whatever may be said Of the e.
quality of races or their natural capacity TO
become equal, no one can doubt that at
this time this race among Us is not equal
to the Caucasian. This inequality does
not lessen the moral obligations on the
part of the superior TO the lnieriur. Ii ra-
Their increases them. From him who has
much more is required than from him who
has little. The present generation Of them,
ii i true, is for above their savage progen-
tors, who were al first introduced into this
country, in general intelligence, virtue,
and moral culture. This shows capacity
iur Improvement; but IN all the higher
characteristics Of mental development they
are still very far below the European type.
What further advancement they nav make
or 10 what standard they may attain under
different system ot laws, every way suit
able and wisely applicable to their chang
ed condition, time alone can disclose. |
speak of them as we know them to be, hay-
ing no longer the protection OF master Or
legal guardian. They now need all the
protection which the shield OF the law can
give, but above all this protection should
be secured because il Is right aud just that
il should be upon general principles. All
governments in their organic structure as
well as in their administration should have
this leading object in view. The good OF
the governed. protection and security TO
all under il jurisdiction, should be ths
chief end Of every government. Ii IS
melancholy truth that while this should be
The chief end Of all governments, most Of
them are USED only az instruments hl pow
or Tor the aggrandizement Of the few at
tue expense Of, and by the oppression Of
the many. Such are not our ideas Of gov
etnments, never have been. aud never
should be. Governments, according TO our
ideas, should look to the good Of the whole,
aud not part only. The greatest good 10
the greatest number is a fa,orite dogma
with some. Some 50 defended our old sys-
tenn; but sou know this was never m, doc
trine. The greatest good to all. without
detriment or injur, to any, IS The true rule.
Those governments only are founded upon
correct principles Of reason and Justice
which look to the greatest attalnable adj
vancemcnt. Improvement, and progress
physically, intellectually, and IuOrally--of