Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-05-09
tfrom the Augusta lGa.l Chronicle.
Equal Rights 10 III.

This affirmation is announced in the
formula of an ultimate truth, univer-
sal and incontrovertible. Embamed
with the memories of those glorious
days of struggle and Of triumph, and
consecrated by heroic deeds, this and
every other declaration proclaimed as
seli-evident, is regarded by Americans
of the present day with faith and rev
eranco akin to that faith and that
reverence accorded to Holy Writ, and
Mr. Jefferson himself, the author of
the declaration, is canonized as "the
Apostle Of Liberty"
70 the brave men whose wisdom
devised our Republican Government,
and whose valorand endurance achiev-
ed our national existence, the afiirma-
ton that all men were born equal
possessed peculiar and sterling sig
nificance The conflict was between
Anglo-Saxons governed by hereditary
kings, and Anglo-Saxons who asserted
the right TO select their rulers. The
doctrine Of divine right was the doc
trine Of monarchists. 1t was claimed
that all governments were Of divine
origin; all rulers were divinely APP
pointed; possessing authority created
By the grace Of God, and made per
potual by succession in those born of
loyalty. This was hcdocirine taught
as an article Of faith by the Continental
Church, and enforced in European
palaces and courts and realms.
The thrones and despotisms of the
old world bad been maintained by
acknowledging aud accepting as the
truth this doctrine. 1t was faith in
this doctrine which sustained the pre-
tensions Of the Houses of Hapsburg
and Bourbon Dynasties, and gave
support TO regal Louises and royal
Georges 1t was the power which
that faith gave which had caused the
world to suffer for centuries and en-
dure, with groans, grievous and cruel
exactions, and the oppression Of bloody
and revolving tyrannies
Under the inspiration Of genius the
spirit Of the American people found
form and expression in words full Of
defiance toward royal prerogatiyes
and royal power, A new standard
was erected The mutual pledge Of
lives and fortunes and sacred honor
was preferred as a substitute for sworn
fealty to King and realm. With pro
found wisdom, 3 decent respect for
the deeply rooted opinions Of mankind
was observed. The pernicous doe
trine Of Divine Right was opposed
with an ardor and vigor cocqual with
! that which opposed Royal Power
They alleged no direct Divine inter
position ia affairs of human govern
ment--no hereditary rights of rule
nor rights of succcssion-no heaven
: born rulers. A new doctrine was
promulgated. All governments were
declared to derive their just powers
from the consent Of the governed.
All men were created equal - not
physically, nor intellectually, nor NOR
ally, nor socially, nor politcally-but
equal as to claim for authority under
Divine sanction.
That this, and this alone, was the
true intent and meaning of Mr.. JEFF
fcfson's generation--sincc rendered
so perplexingly famous by the inge-
nuity of demagogues-is, VIC think,
oonclusively shown in a contempora-
neous action and practical application
by those who framed the Government,
and the people who ratified this work.
The uttermost latitude reached in
practical application extended only TO
that degree which defined homoge-
neity in race. English Puritans, and
English Caviliers, French Hugueno Is,
and Hollanders, and German Saltz-
burghers, and Irish emigrants, and
Scotch emigrants, and Swedish Mora
vians, were all admitted as equals
The land swarmed with aboriginal
occupants. In no section, from Mar
ragunsett Bay to the blue waters of
the Gulf is the Indian considered equal
and allowed participation in the Gov
erument. Neither NaTagansctt, nor
nor lroquois, nor Delaware, nor Ca
tawbas, nor Cherokees, is given the
right of representation. The New
England trader drives q lively trade
by the transfer to this continent Of
captives from the gold coast aud the
ivory coast, and Sierre Leone. But the
New England trader mover admitted
that the African was bis equal nor
did New England schools 50 teach !;
nor New England governments 50
legislatc Far otherwise. Plainly
and indubitably, then, the Declaration
of Independence was simply the avow-
al of principles which should guide
those who had raised the standard of
revolt, and the application of these
principles was designed and made for
the benefit of such as were kindred
by race to those who pledged their
lives and their fortunes and their sa-
cred honors in the contest
But new apostles have arisen. A
new Interpretation is made. A new
doctrine is propounded Under cover
of carly principles, an application is
made coextensive with the circumfer.
ence of the earth. Nor is the particu-
lar good nor the especial elevation Of
the Southern black man the aim. In
the strife for party power, the laws
of government and the policy of gov
ernment is made TO rest upon mere
numbers. Under the captivating plea
Of universal liberty, every distinction
which God and nature hath affixed is
obliterated. Every condition, whether
of morals or of intellect, is ignored.
Every race, without qualification and