The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-03-01
WHEELING. WEST VA WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH l. 1866

cepted as an irrevocable fact. It is, a
bootless question now to- discuss
whether the new system is better
for both races than the old one was or
not. That may be proper later for
the philosophic and dphilanthropic his
torian of some future time to inquire
been fully and fairly tried. All changes
of systems, or proposed reforms. are
but experiments and problems to be
solved. Our system of self-gOyern-
ment was an experiment at first. Per
hapS, us problem, 1t is not solved
Our present duty in regard to this sub
iect is not with the past or the future.
1t is with the present. The wisest and
best of men err in their Judgment as to
the probable working of any new sys-
tenn. Let us, therefore, give this one a
fair and impartial trial, without preju-
dice and with that earnestneSs of pur-
pose which always looks hopefully to
success. 1t is AM chronological problem,
on the solution of which depends not
only the best interests of both races,
but, it may be, the existence ot. one or
the other, if not beth. This duty of
giving this new system a fair and Just
trial will require of you, as legislators
OF the land, great changes in our form
er laws in regard to this large class OIL
populaIlOn. WISE anu nuuduS PL,oNitI
sions should be made for them. 1t Is
not for me to go into detail, Suffice II
to say, on this occasion, that ample and
full protection should be secured to
them so that they nfay start equal be-
fore the law in the possession and en-
ioyment 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 cultivated your fields, min
istered to your personal wants and
comforts, nursed and reared your chill
dren, and>even in the hour of danger
and peril they were in the main true to
you and yours. 10 them we owe ae9t
of gratitude as well us acts of kind
ness. ~
This should also be done because
they are poor, untutored, uninformed,
many of them helpless, liable to be i'm
posed upon, and need it. Legislation
should ever look to the protection OF
the weak against the strong. Whatever
may be said of the equality of races
or their nature, capacity to become
equal, who can doubt that at this Time
this race among us is not equal 10 the
Caucassian? This inequality does not
lessen the moral obligations on the part
of the superior to the inferior. II rather
increases them. From him who has
much more is required than from him
who has little. The present generation
of them, 1t is true, is far above their
savage progenitors, who were at hrst
introduced into this country, in general
intelligence, virtue and moral culture.
This shows capacity for Improvement;
but in all the higher characteristics OF
mental development they are still very
far below the European type. 5.t,.i s
What further advancement they may
make, or to what standard they may
attain under different system ofIlaws,
every way suitable and wisely applica-
BILE TO their changed condition. time
alone can disclose. L speak of them as
we now know. them TO be, having no
longer the protection of master or a
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 1t is right
and Just that it should be upon gene' al
principles. All governments, in their
administration, should have this Lead
ing object in view. The good of the
governed, protection and security to NIL
under its iuriS6 IctiOn, should be the
chief end of every government. II Is a
melancholy truth, that while this should
be the chief end of all governments,
ments or power for the aggrapdizement
of n few at the expense of and for the
oppression of the many. .eal. .,.s /. .
Such are not our ideas Of govern
ment, never have been and never Should
be. Governments, according to our
ideas, should look to the good OF the
whole, and not a part only. The great
est good to the greqtest number is a
flyorite dogma with some. Some so
defended our old system, but you know
this was never my doctrine. The great
est good TO all without detriment or
injury to any, is the true rule. Those
governments only are founded upon
correct principles of reason and Justice
which look to the greatest attainable
advancement, improvement and pro-.
gress, physically, intellectually and
morally, of all classes and conditions
within their rightfu1 Jurisdiction. Our
new system should look to the best In
terest of all classes, the protection,
intellectually and morally. All obsta-
cles. if there be a. should be removed,
which can possibly hinder or retard the
blacks to the extent of their capacity.
All proper aid should be given TO their
own efforts. Channels of education
should be opened up to them; schools
and the usual means of moral ana IN
teIlectuaI training should be eencouraged
among them. This will dictate not only
what Is right, proper and just in itself,
but it is also the promptings of the
highest consideration oftnterest. q
Itisdinhcult to conceive a greater evil or
curse than could befalT our country, stricken
and distressed as 1t now is, for so large a Por-
lttonO its population rs this cInSs VIII quite
probably constitute amongst us hereafter, 10
In view ofsucn a Stale OF things, wen might
the President even now look to abandment.
Letus not, however, indulge in such p future:
The system cannot be worked. Let us not
stand still hesitatingl5, asking can there any
g9sGd thing s9%s SSie ts e6ne Or
this work be OF men It will come TO nought, "
it be OF God, we cannot overthrow It. The
questions OF the age are social problems
With these we have heretofore had but little
to do. The emnncipationlot the blacks was
ever considered by me with much interest
Looking 10 the best interests OF all Ihe peeu-
MARY aspects Of IL, the considerations OF labor
and capital. In. a political, economical View,
sink into significance in comparison with this;
the problem, one Of the results of war, is now
upon us, presenting one of the moSt peIplex-
Ing questions OF the sort that any people ever
had TO deal with. Let us resolve to do the
best we can with It, from all the limits we
have OF can get; and In this connection, 1 take
the liberty OF quoting for your Sonsideratton
L met with them some months ago, while
pondertng on this sub iect, and was as much
struck as surprised with the DRIFT 9l their
give them as nnd them In the New. York
Timer, where they were reported. You may
be as much surprised at hearing snch IDEAS
from AIr. Beecher as was, but, however
much we may dItier from HIM on many ques:
tionS cOnnected with. this subject, yet all
must admit him TO rank among the Muster
ttrfbuIed more BY power OF his. pen and verse
I'm bringing about the present state OF things
thnn ne has. Yet, nevertheless, 4 commend
present object, what he was reported to have
said. as loLowss-
In our land and time facts and questions
are pressed upon Us which demand Christian
supplement-. On this ground aud doctrtnewe
IN