Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-01-04


doctrine which is becoming too fashionable
and unless rebuked will be the recognized
principle of our Government. Governo
Perry and other provisional governors anC
orators proclaim that "this is the white
mans Government" The whole Copper
head party pandering to the lowest preju
dIces OF the ignorant repeat the cuckoo
cry, "This is the white mans Government
Demagogues of all parties, even some higl
in authority, gravely shout, ''This is the
white mans Government" What is impIi
ed by this That one race of men are tC
have the exclusive right forever to rule this
nation, and to exercise all acts Of sover
eighty, while all other races and nations
and colors are to be their subjects, and
have no voice in making the laws and choos
ing the rulers by whom they are to be gov
| erned.
! Wherein does this differ from slavery
except i'll degree? Does not this contra
dict all the distinctive principles of the
Declaration OF independence When the
great and good men promulgated that III.
strument and pledged their lives and sa-
cred honor to defend it, it was supposed to
form an epoch in civil government. Before
that time it was held that the right to rule
was vested in families, dynasties, or races,
not because OF superior Intelligence or vir-
tue, but because of divine right to cnoy
exclusive privileges
Our fathers repudated the whole doctrine
OF the legal superiority of families or races,
| and proclaimed the equality Of men before
the law Upon that they created revolu-
ton and built the Republic They were
prevented by slavery from perfecting the
superstructure 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 1t is our duty to com
plete their work. If this Republic is not
now made to staud Oh their great principles,
it has no honest foundation and the Father
OF all men will still shake it to its centre.
If we have not been sufficiently scourgcd
for our national sin to teach us to do Justice
to all Gods creatures, without distinction
OF race or color, we must expect the still
more heavy vengeance of an offended Fa-
ther, still increasing his infections as he in
creased the severity of the plaques of Egypt
until the tyrant consented to do Justice
And when that tyrant repcnted of his re-
luctant consent, and attempted to re-enslave
the people, as our Southern tyrants are at
tempting to do now, he filled the Red Sea
with broken chariots and drowned horses
and strewed the shore with dead carcasses
Mr Chairman, trust that the Republi-
can party will not be alarmed at what am
saying. | do not profess to speak their
sentiments nor must they be held RESPONSE
bic for them. speak for myself, and take
the responsibility, and will settle with nv
intelligent constituents.
This is not white mans Government. :"
in the exclusive sense in which it is used
To say so is political blasphemy. for it vio-
lates the fundamental principles of our gos
pei of liberty. This is mans Government:
the Government Of all men alike not that
all men will have equal power and sway
within 1t Accidental circumstances, nat
ural and acquired endowment and ability,
will vary their fortunes. But equal rights
to all the privileges of the Government is
innate III every immortal being, no matter
what the shape OF color Of the tabernacle
which it inhabts.
II equal privileges were granted to ALL |
should not expect any but white men to lie
elected to office for long ages to come The
prejudice engendered by slavery would not
soon permit merit to be preferred to color.
But it would still be beneficial to the weak
er races. In country where political d.
visions will always exist, their power, Join,
ed with just white men, would greatly mod
ily, if ii did not entirely prevent the inius-
tice of maiorities Without the right of
suffrage in the slave States, q do not speak
of the free States believe the slaves had
far better been left in bondage | see it
stated that very distinguished advocates of
the right Of suffrage lately declared in this
city that they do not expect to obtain it by
congressional Legislation, but only by adj
ministratve action, because, as one gallant
gentleman said, the States had not been out
of the Union. Then they will never get it.
The President is far sCunder than they He
sees that administrative action has nothing
to do with it. If itever is to come, it must
be constitutional amendments or congress.
ional action in the Territories. and in ena-
bling acts.
How shameful that men of influence
should mlslead and miseducate the public
mind They proclaim "This is the white
mans Government" and the whole coil of
copperheads echo the same sentiment and
upstart, jealous Republicans Join the cry.
Is it any wonder ignorant foreigners and
iliterate natives should learn this doctrine,
and be led to despise and maltreat Il whole
race Of their fellow-men?
Sir, this doctrine of white mans Gov
ernmcnt is as atrocious as the infamous
sen siment that damned the late Chief JUS
tice to everlasting fame and | fear, to
everlasting fire.
PARTING WITH AN O1D FRIEND. In a hos
pital at Nashville, during the war, wound
ed hero was placed on the amputating
table, under the influence of chloroform
They cut off his right arm and cast it, all
bleeding, upon the pile Of human limbs
They then laid him gently upon his couch
He woke from his stupor and missed his
arm. With his left arm he lifted the cloth,
and there was nothing but the CORY stump!
Where's my arm ?" he cried "get my
arm | want to see it once more-my
strong right arm" They brought it to
him. He took hold of the cold, cammy
fingers, and looking steadfastly at the poor
dead member thus addressed it with tear
ful earneStness I" Good-by. old arm We