The New York herald., 1869-11-21
"CAsTE."
Senator Sumner After John Chinaman-A New
Grua do

Senator Sumner After John Chinaman--A New
Crusade.
The citizens OF Elizabeth N. J., have been on the
tiptoe of expectation for some time in consequence
OF the announcement that the Hon. Charles Sumner
would delight them with one OF his orations; and
they were in high state OF excitement last
night when, true TO his promise and the
huge posters that adorned the walls OF
the town, the illustrious Senator appeared on the
platform OF Library Hall and made his bow to the
fine audience assembled to greet him. mild young
gentleman occupied seat beside the Senator and,
when the applause had subsidized, got up and jerked
out few words Of welcome ana compliment and
then glided quietly out OF sight.
Mr.. SUMNER said II in corroboration OF what the
mild young gen tleman had sald that he was Senator
from Massachusetts and he was proud OF the honor.
He had done his duty in the past and hoped to do
in the future TO continue deserve the conf
dence of his constituency. Plunging at once into
his subject he said that slavery is dead here, but
is not dead in other lands but fourishes in many
forms in many countries. we have preudices here,
however--the prejudice against the yellow man
from Asia. This caste prejudice was most
baneful In It's effects and was q scandal and shame
truth, the unity OF the human family and final har-
mony EARTH Manhood does not depend upon
the color or the skin or hair white, black and yell
low are but varieties OF the species. Unttl this
becomes generally acknowledged in the government
we Will not have attained to perfection in
our sys systs evce In oden arcx times
art but the time Is coming when It Will be a SCI
ence-tne science Of Justice on cart earth But it is q
and, most important OF al we must understand
ourselves. may contribute something, said the
ing. so that they may blast the effrontery
Of caste, which is alike revolving and
aSe and existing for Centuries took deep ros IN
India, where, rs in our republic, 1t is the corner
stone OF slavery. one hundred and eighty millions
of human beings there subject to its absurd
rules The word "caste' Is from the Portuguese
COSTA and coined in 1885, but the tnng itself IS
ancient. The lecturer then traced caste in ancient
and modern history but dwelt particularly upon It's
Developments in India. The origin OF caste
IN India occurred in this way,Ihere were were
of the ancients. The Brabmin was the
breath Of God the soldier the arm Of God; the hus,
the foot OF God. The Brahmin was the supreme and
the Sudra the lowest in the scale OF human CON
former was bound TO respect There was
no such thing as promotion from one caste TO
another. The Brahmln and the Sudra kept tnelr
places unchanged through centuries In their de-
scendants. The Brahmin never paid taxes and
nothing he did was wrong. Outside these classes
object of contempt even to the Sudra. SO low was
the latter that even his shadow falling upon milk
rendered 1t unfit for use by any OF the other castles
Passing from the consideration OF the condition OF
the people OF India and their CUSTOMS the Senator
said that here In the United States the white
relatively to the blacks and yeiiows Brahmin and
that Africans are tho Sudra and the Chinese the Pa
riahs OF our country. Diving into the question OF
the origin OF species the lecturer secuted the idea
that white, black, yellow or red men were OF DIFF
ferent races. The claim that this was "white
mans government was preposterous IN the light Of
the Declaration OF Independence. The very assump-
tion opens up question OF SURPRISING interest In set
ence, fclgon and In government. Mr.. Sumner has
quoted from the Old and New Testament in proof OF
his assertion that men, no matter OF what color
are or the same human family, and have the
same rights in the brotherhood OF man. He
also quoted from Alexander Won Humboldt
In proof that science supported religion in this.
Kiaicullng the idea that because people developed
characteristics OF savage nature that they were
Incapable Of becoming civilized, the Senator gave
graphic account OF the condition OF the inhabitants
| OF Great Britain at the time OF the Conquest
| showing that they were In worse condl-
ton than are the people OF Africa to-day. Dwelling
upon the facts he produced in evidence. he spoke
| oil the civilized condition OF England to-day IN proof
| of the correctness OF his theory.
! In concluding his instructive ana eloquent lee
ture the senator SAID the Chinese question must be
met Attention was once attracted TO the African;
| now IL Is the Chinese, who demand protection.
Nothing can be settled which is not right, and this
! question can onlysbe settled In harmony with the
! principles Of our fathers and In conformity with
| right and justice. The Chinese must have equal
| copartnershtp, for justice Is the best policy and
justice IL the best practice.
| Senator sumner was warmly applauded through
| out the lecture and Rt the close.