The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-28

should be the chief end of all govern
ments, most of them are used only n
instruments of power for the agyran
dizement of few at the expense of an,
for the oppression of the MANY. Sucl
are not our ideas of government. neye
have been, and never should be. Gov
ernments, according to our ideas. shout,
look to the good of the whole, and not
part only. The greatest good to tn,
greatest number, is favorite dogm.
with some. Some so defended our oil,
system, but you know this was neve
my doctrine. The greatest good to al
without detriment or injury to any, il
the true rule. Those governments onl,
are founded upon correct principles O
reason and justice which look to til,
! greatest attainable advancement. i'm
| provement and progress, physically
intellectually and morally, of ali cIasse,
and conditions within their rightfu
Jurisdiction. If our old system, Will,
it lasted, and repeat it now that it is nc
more in legislation, therefore the new
system should look to the best interests
of all classes-the protection, security
and Improvement, physically, intellec
tually and morally. All obstacles, i
there be any, should be removed (which
can hinder or retarde the blacks to the
extent of their capacity. All proper aid
should be given to their own efforts
Channels of education should be open ed
up to them I; schools and the usual
means of moral and intellectual training
should be encouraged among them. This
will dictate not only of what is right,
proper and just in itself, but it is also
the promptings of the highest considera
ton of interest. 1t is difficult to con
ceive a greater evil or curse than could
befall our country, stricken and dis
tressed as 1t now is, for so large portion
of its population as this class will quite
probably constitute amongus hereafter,
to be reared in ignorance, depravity and
vice. In view Ofsuch state of things,
well might the President even now look
abandonment. Let us not, however
indulge in such future, nor let us
without effort. The system cannot be
worked. Let us not stand still hesitat-
ugly asking can there any good thing
come out of Nazareth ? But let us rather
say, as Gamaliel did, if this council or
this work be of men it will come to
nought, if 1t be of God, we cannot over
throw it. The questions of the age are
social problems. With these we have
heretofore had but little to do The
emancipation of the blacks was ever
considered by me with much interest
Looking to the best interests of all the
pecuniary aspects of it, the considera-
tions OF labor and capital, in political,
economical view sink into significance
in comparison with this I; the problem,
one of the results of war, il now upon
as, presenting one Of the most perplex-
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 or can get; and in this
connection, take the liberty of quoting
for your consideration some remarks
even from Rev. II. w. Beecher. met
with them some months ago, while pom.
deringon this subject, aud was as much
struck as surprised with the drift of
their philosophy, coming from the So
ciety they did. give them as I find
them in the New York Times, where
they were reported. You may be as much
surprised at hearing such ideas from Mr..
Beecher AZ | was; but however much we
may differ from him on many questions.
and on many questions connected with
hissnbject, yet all must admit him to run
among the master spirits of the age, and |
no one perhaps has contributed more by |
power of his pen and verse in bringing |
about the present state of things than |
ne has. Yet, nevertheless, commend |
g your consideration, IA pertinent TO |
,ur present object, what he was reported
o have said, as follows In orr land and |
lime facts and questions are pressed upon
Is which demand Christian supplement.
IN this ground and doctrine we cannot
scape the responsibility. Mr.. Stephens
quoted what he said Of the state of things
when he spoke in the State of New York
md the fearful antagonism of classes.
That is, said he, much more applicable
o us here. Onlyitwo great classes exist
but these are deeply marked by dis
motions bearing the impress of nature.
'he one is now beyond all questfan.
realty superior to the other. These
lasses are rs distinct az races of men
an be. One is of the highest type Of
the other of the lowest. All
hat he says Of the duty of the superior
D protect, to aid, to encourage and help
he inferior, / fully and cordially en-
orsed, and commend to you as quite as
pplicable to us and our situation as il
'as to his auditors. Whether the doc
inc, If carried out aud practiced, will
title all the most troublesome home
uestiOns with us, and easily as he SEEM
to think, would like home questions
18th those whom he was addressing, /
ill not undertake to say. | have no
esitancy, however, in saying that the .
,neral principles pronounced by him !
e good. Let them be adopted by US !
far as practicable. No harm can come !
ON it, much good may. Whether the
eat barrier of races which the Creator a
IS placed between this our interior r
ass and ourselves, shall prevent a sue :
IS of the experiment now on trial of !
aceful, happy and prosperous comMu- a
ty, composed of such elements and 3
staining present relations toward each h
her, or even further elevation on the
rt of the inferior if they prove them
Ives fit for it, let the future, under the
spensation of Providence, decide. We
We to deal with the present. Let as :,
our duty now, leaving results and ul- q
nate consequences to that Divinity y
lch shapes our ends, rough hew them r
" we will,' In all things on this n
beet, as all others, let our guide al
the unenviable motto of our .
ate LET orr cOunsels ha pov |