The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-11-11
EQUAL SUFFRAGE.
Letter from the Hon. Charles Sumner.
From the Missouri Democrat

Letter from the Hon. Charles Sumner.
From the Missouri Democrat
The following letter.. from Hon, Charles
Sumner, to friend in this State, shows with
what interest the contest here upon the
question of suffrage is watched in other
States, and presents considerations which
deserve attention
go. BosTon, Oct. 3, 1868.
DEAR SIR Il am panied to learn that
there can be any question among good Re-
pnblicans with regard to the enfranchise-
inent Of the colorcd race, especially as de-
clared in the Constitutional amendment now
pending in Missouri. When shall this great
question be settled if not now Why wait,
why prolong the agonyl there is only one
way in which it can be settled. Why not
at once2 All who vote against it only vote
to continue the agitation, which will never
end, except with the establishment OF. the
equal rights off all. "A.
Only in this way can the Declaration Of
Independence be vindicated in its selteyi-
dent truths AS long as men are excluded
IRON the suffrage on account of color, it is
gross impotence for any nation to say that
they are equal in rights. Of course, men
are not equal in strength, size, or other en-
dowments, physical or mental but they are
equal in rights, which is what our fathers
declared They are equal before God equal
before the divine law; they should be made
equal before human law. Equality before
the law is the true rule. iat ~ -elft
How can any possible evil result from a
rule which is so natural and just There
can be no conflict of races where there is no
denial of rights. 1t is only when rights are
denied that conflict begins. See to it that
all are treated with Justice, and there will be
men,, For the sake of peace, pray that
this great opportunity be not lost |
hear strange cry about the supremacy
.ofo race over another. of course l am
against this with my whole heart and soul.
I was against it when it showed itself in
+, the terrible pretentions of the slave master;
and now am against it, as it shows itself
in the most shameful oligarchy of which
history has made mention, an oligarchy of
the skin. Reason, humanity, religion and
common sense all reject the wretched pre-
tentions. Even if the whites are afraid that
the blacks will become an oligarchy, and
rule their former masters, this is no reason
for a CONTINUED denial of rights. But this
unquitude on account of what IS called 'ne-
gro supremacy" is as amusing as it is incred
IDLE. 1t is one of the curiosities of history.
Occupied as 1 am at this moment, should
be tempted to put aside all other things and
journey to the Mississippi in order to look
at company ofwhites who will openly con-
fess their fear of NEGRO supremacy" /
should like to see their pallid faces and hear
their confession from their own trembling
lips. Such company of whites would be
sight to behold Falstaff's sorry troop
was nothing to them. st ~.
Such foolish fears and foolish arguments
cannot prevail against the great cause of
equal rights. Spite OF all obstacles, and all
prejndices, this truth must triumph. Was it
moi declared by our fathers2 What they
declared is promise perpetually binding
on u.s. their children. -
Accept my best wishes, and believe me,
dear sir, faithfully yours,
CHAS. SUMNER.