The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1867-06-06
[From the Belleiontaine Republican,
A Good Article on Equality.

| - 0NVN 81 WIZ OiA A|duthJys
Is tho negro the equal Of the
white manP
That he is the equal, physically,
-there are, perhaps, few who would
care TO dispute.
That, as a race, they are equal 10
the whites, morally and intelloctu.
ally, no one would assert.
That there are some negroes who
are superior, physically, morally
and mentally, to some whites, few
will deny.
That the negro racers capable Of
as high atiainmcnts as the Caucas.
sian race, would be hard to prove
--ands that it is not capable Of such
attainmenta, perhaps equally as
hard to prove.
That the fact of tho Caucasian s
superior attainments, influence and
power in the world, is proof of his
inherent superiority, must be ad-
mitted; but that it is incontrouertiJle
proof, no ono can assert. Circum.
stances alter cases. Climatic and
other influences may determine the
destiny of nations and races. Ma
lions do not stand now, relatively,
as they stood in past ages. Tho
day was, when native Briton was
so degraded that he would not sell
for Slare, in Romo. The day has
been when the members of the fam.
| lily of Ham built cities, whose ru-
ins now stand as proud monuments
oftheir builders powers and genius.
Who can measure the capabilities
of any race, for the future, by their
history in the past?
But if we decide for or against
the African, there is one truth that
must impress itsclfupon every can
did mind. 1t is this: If God has
created him with capacities for be-
ing our equal, it is our duty TO let
him develop his capacities to their
utmost. He is indebted to the
world to the extent Of all he may
bo able TO contribute to its store OF
wealth and knowledge, and il we
throw obstacles in his path, 10 pre-
vent him reaching the highest pos
sible point he may attain, we COM
NIT a crime against humanity.
Ii the Creator has not made the
negro with capacities for being the
white mans equal, wo need not
fear that he will be made such by
laws that simply give him equal
chances with the white for protec-
tion and improvement. And the
man who claims to be naturally a
superior being to the African, and
yet demands the enactment of laws
to enable him to maintain his su.
periority, bellies his own profes.
sions and exhibits the cowardice of
his nature.
The fact that God has mado of
one blood, all nations of men does
not prove the equality of nations
no more than it proves the equality
of individuals. (And who will con.
tend that all mon are endowed with
like talents? But it does prove
that all men are under like obliga
tions to their Creator and their fel.
lows-are subject to the commands
of the same decalogue-and that
all are entitled to the same liber.
ties, the same protection of law, and
the same opportunities for improve.
ment and advancement.
live admit the inferiority ofman,
Cor race,) we thereby assert the
necessity for assisting him, not the
right to oppress. Governments are
instituted to protect the weak
against the strong.
Ii we acknowledge the principle
that the safest and best plan Of gov
ernment is to entrust the power OF
governing 10 those who are govern
ed--if we admit that the man with
the ballot has more power than the
man without two should never
take il from him who is weak and
give it to him who is strong.
If we act upon the principle that
the wisest should have the power
to rule, will we not lead to take all
power out of the hands of the peo-
pie, and entrust it TO the few who
are now recognized as our leaders =?
Let every man who would deny
his neighbor the ballot, because he
considers him an inferior, consider
whether there is not some one who
is his superior, and then ask him
self if he is willing to. have his su-
perior vote and act for him in all
the affairs of government, without
any accountability for the exercise
of his power.
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