American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-05-10
Abraham Lincoln on Negro Equality.
MS SPEECH AT COLUMBUS, OHIO. OCTOBER,
1889.

nave oeen somewhat embarrassed ior
topic by wsy Of introd uction to my speech
but l have been relieved from that en-
bariassmenl by an introduction which th
Ohio Statesman newspaper gave me thi:
morning. In this paper l have read al
article in which among other Statements,
| find the following: In debating with
Senator Douglass during the memorable
contest Of last fall, Mr.. Lincoln declared
in favor Of negro suffrage, and attempted
TO defend that vie conception against the
Little Giant"
II mention Ibis now, at the opening OF
my remarks, for the purpose of making
three comments upon it. The hrstl have
already announced it furnished me an
Introductory topic. The second is to show
that The gentleman is mistaken. Thirdly
to give him an opportunity to corectit."
I'm the frSt place, in regard to this
matter being mistake. have found that
it is not entirely safe, when one is mis-
represented under his very nose. To allow
the Misrepresentation to go uncontradict'
ed. [, therefore, propose here at the on
sets not only to say that this is a mIsrep-
resentaiou, but to show conclusively that
it is SO you will bear with me while
read couple of * racts from that very
memorable debate will, Judge Douglass
last year. to which Ibis paper refers. In
the first pitched battle which Senator
Douglass and myself had, at the town of
Ottawa, | used the language which | will
now read Having been pFeviousy read
ing An extract, continued as follows
"Now gentlemen. I don't want to
read at any greater length, bat this is the
true corDplt xion of all that | have ever
said 10 regard TO the institution of slavery
and the black race. This is the whole Of
it. and anything that argues me in this
idea Of social aud political equality with
The negro, is but a specious and fantastic
arrangement CT words. by which man
can prove horse chestnut to be chesn
horse. | will say here, while upon this
subject, that l have no purpose. directly
or indirectly, to interfere with the institu-
ton Of slavery in the States where it ex.
lists. | believe have no lawful right to
do SO. | have no purpose to introduce
political and social equality between the
white and black races. There IS phys
zeal difference Jetaceea the t'co, Which
in my judgment, wjH probably forbid
their ccer Hcing together; upon the foot
ing Of perfect equality; aid, iaasmuch
as it becomes necessary that there must
be a difference, 7, as 'cell as Judge
Douglass, an in tdror Of tie race to
ehich I bcloag haciag the superior po-
Siti0R. have never said anything to
the contrary but hold that .notwIh,iand-
inr all this, there is no reason in the
wor d Why the negro is not entitled to all
the natural light enumerated in the Dec
laraiion Of dependence-lhe right Of
life, liberty and the right of happiness. l
hold that lie uasmuch entitled to these ms
the white man. l agree with Judge
Douglass. he is not my equal In many re-
specls-cerlainly not in color, perhaps
not in moral and intellectual endowmenls,
But in the ri lit to eat the bread, without
leave Of anybody else, which his own
hands earn, he is my equal, and the
equal Of Jddgc DOug!aSS, aad heequal
oferery HSng man
Upon a subsequent occasion. when
The reason for making statement like
this REQUIRED. said
while | wns at the hotel to day. an
elderly gentlemen called on me to know
whether | was really in favor Of producing
perfect equality between the negroes and
white people While l had not proposed
10 myself, on this occasion, TO say much
ou The subject, Jet, as the question was
asked me. thought would occupy per
haps FIVE minutes in saying something in
regard to it. will say. then, that | am
NOT. nor never have been, in favor of
brir ging about, in any 1cdy. the social
and political equality of the white and
black races that [ an not, or cCCr
haze Jeen,, in .tdror Of making rOterS
or jurors Of negroes, nor Of quality
ing them to hold office, or iatcrmnTy
lcih the ,chite people, ard | will say. in
a ldi.ion o lhls. there is hysical diff
ference between The white and black races
which, | believe, will forever forbid the
two races living together, on terms of 50
cial and political equality. And mas
much as they can so live. Willie they do
remain together there must be the posi-.
ton OF superior and interior, and |, as
much as any olher man, AN in favor OF
having he superior position as,igard to
the white race. say, upon this occasion.
do not perceive that. because the white
man is to have the superior position the