The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-02-15
Lincoln On Negro Equality.

IFay lot all lonesome Souls O-UlJlL.
Lincoln ON Negro Equality.
'.'t From the National Inteliigencer.
Whoever is familiar with the history
of the circumstances under which Presi'
dent Lincoln issued the emancipation
proclamation cannot be ignorant that he
took that step wi h the greatest reluctance
and after much hesitation and, indeed
that he adopted it ultimately as a "ne.
cessity,", very indiferently approved by
his calm reflection and judgment. 1t is
we'll known that he was prepared to offer
four hundred millions of dollars to the
South as compensation for their slaves,
and as a means of obtaining peace Par
tisans who now employ the authority OF
his name to give a color Of sanction to
schemes which he never did approve, and
never would have signed as laws, are
careful to conceal his true opinions, and
to affect a respect for his memory which
they did not concede to him when living.
Mr.. Lincoln honestly desired to see slav-
cry e~xtinguished, but he waited it done
fairly. and by constitutional means. His
views on that subject were promulgated
with characteristic frankness in the me-
morable canvass with Judge Douglas,
where he admitted that they both occu-
pied the same ground or, to use bis own
words at Ottowa, a., as we'll as Judge
Douglas. arm in favor of the race to which
I belong haying the superior position"
On another occasion, at Columbus, he
was ever more emphatic 10 defining his
position, in a manner which places him
in direct antagonism to the Jacobins who
are now striving to establish negro bar
barism as the ruling political power in
the whole South. Here is his exact Ian
guage.
81 am lot. nor ever have been, in favor
of Infringing about in any way the social and
political equality of the white and black
races; | am not, and never have been, in
favor of making voters or Jurors of negroes;
nor Of qualifying them to held. office, or in
tetmarry with the white people; and | will
say in addition to this, that there is a ply
steal difference between the white and black
races which | believe will forever forbid tie
two races living together on terms of soci;a
and political equality. And inasmuch a.
they cannot so live, while they do remain
together there must be the position, of supe-
rior and inferior, and, ], as much as any
other man, am in favor of having the superi;
or position assigned the white race"
O. Mr.. lincoln thus from his grave re-
Dukes the demagogues who havr outraged
his name by claiming its sanction for their
revolutionary designs. He d%enoullces the
Buffers, Stevenses, Binghams, Ashleys,
Summers, and the like, who would confer
on negroes privileges and rights which
deny to the white man, and who,
in a spirit of mean and unworthy ven
geance, woula subject the Intelligence,
culture, and refinement of ten mil
Of white people. our equals, kindred,
and friends, to the brutal domination of
an ignorant and degraded race, while eex-
citing its bad passions to the most revolt
crimes. en-. -. .s....,.. ...nvras
Those who now find it to their interest {
chaunt the praises of Mr.. Lincoln were
among his most conspicuous revlers only
four years ago, and were members Of that
Radical cabal in Congress who did their {
to defeat his reelection. Mr..
Wade has at least the merit of consistency
n this respect, and does not take back his
olistering words Of depreciation, as others {
ess manly have been prompt to do, in .
rider to protect themselves against popu- {
ar resentment. Stanton openly depounc- =
d q The late. President as. gorilla" and :
Jet had the inefable meanness, secnlaftes Ct
o seek a place in his Cabinet Stevens !
'y~erywherei spoke of his qualifications and :,
haracter with scorn and contempt, and
theirs less prominent joined in that Che
us Of disparagement,1 who, after his. re- i
lection became the most ,fulsome @eulo- .,
lists and the most humble Instruments of =
power. .5l2ynxrtt ]
Had Mr.. LINCOLN lived, he would have G
cen pursued with the same malice and T.
indictiveness that President johnson hasI
.xperienc4d, for uprightly endeavoring
follow in his footsteps and to carry out
is policy and principles! Both sprang ~
'om the loins Of the people. Both cher :
he'd the institutions which enabled them =
obtain high honors and popular favor, f.
nd both naturally resented the tusurpa- +"
ons of a party which seeks to- destroy -
Constitution and to- overthrow tile 3.
oVernment of our fathers. stt5 "a .tsz"e