The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-09-10
MOULDING PUBLIC OPINION.
Abraham LincoIn,s Opinions.
THE EQUALITY OF ALL MEN.

On the 10th of October, 1854, Abra-
ham Lincoln delivered speech at Pc
oria, 1llions in which he used the follow
ing language:--
What I do say is, that no man is good
enough to govern another man acithout
the others consent. / say this is the
leading principal, the Sheet Anchor OF
Americdn Repablicanisn1. Our Declara-
ton Of Independencesays:
eve hold these truths to be self.evi-
dent, that all men are created equal;
that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain inalienable rights; that
among these are life, Liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness. That to secure
these rights, governments are instituted
among men, deriving their jast po,cer from
the consent of the governed" "
have quoted SO much atthis time mere
ly to show that according to our ancient
faith, the powers Of Government are de-
rived from the consent Of the governed
Now, the relation Of master and slave is,
pro tanto, total violation of the princii-
| pie. The master not only governs the
slave without his consent; but he governs
him by q set Of rules altogether different
from those which he prescribes for him
self. Allow AlI the governed an Equa
roice IN the Governmeat; and that, and
that only, is self-goyernment. HoaoeW'
Life of Lincoln. page 279.
Again, in a speech delivered in Chica.
go, which we find published in the Iii.
nois State Journal, the State organ Of
the Black Republican party of Illinois
on the 18th of September, 1856, Mr.
Lincolnsaid:
The central idea, in our political opin
ion, at the beginning was, and until re
GENTLY continued to be, the equality O
men. And, although it has always sub
mitted patiently to whatever inequality
there seemed to be as a matter of actua
necessity, its constant working has beer
a steady progress toward the practica
Equality of all men.
i Let past differences be as nothing; and
with steady eye on the real issue, let Vi
lre-inaugurate the good old central idet
of the Republic. We can do it. TIL,
human heart is with US; God is with us
We shall again be able not only to de
Iclare that all the States, as States, ar
lequal, but renew the broader, better dec
llaration, including both these and mucl
more that all men are created equal.
j IN FAVOR OF NEGRO EQUALITY.
| Yet again, in his speech at Chicago, ol
the 10th of July, 1853, Mr.. Lincoln said
! I Ishould like to know if taking tn
Iold Declaration Of Independence, whicl
declares thatall men are equal upon prin
ciple, and making exceptions to it, wher
win it stop? If one man says Il does no
mean a negro, sohy not another sag IL doc
not mean some other man? If that decla
ration is not the truth, let US get th
statue book where we find it and tear j
out. Who is SO bold as to do it? If
is not true, let us tear il out2 Cries 0
"No, nol'] Let as stick to Il, then, let a
stand firmly Jy IL, then. x X \ lie
us discard all this quibbling about thi
man and the other man-this race an
the other race being inferior, and there
fore they must be placed in an inferio
misunderstanding the standard tha
VIC have left us. Let us discard all thes
things, and unite as one people through