Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-04-01

father of Democracy, and other great and
good men. " An.ong men, Who eithe,
pay or fght for their country, no Inc oJ
right can be drdton," says Jefferson. Well
may he be tired of hearing arguments like
these, for they are unanswcrable in proving
the dcgeneracy of Delaware Democracy
On the contrary little can be said, little Is
said against the voting Of the negro, except
the cries of unreasoning prejudice and that
inspired and fomented and aggravated for
partizan purposes. The inscnsatc and con-
slant reiteration of "negro equality" has
| answered its purpose and has been success
| fully used to corrupt the popular heart and
smother the true instincts of Democratic
| feeling. Need / assert, on this occasion,
that equality OF political right does not mean
either social, mental, moral, or physical
equality.
Are those who cry out so madly in this
conneetion SO nearly bankrupt in respecta-
biity that they dread to grant fair justice to
what they deem an inferior race?
We, as Republicans, have been educated
In and feel to greater or less degree this
prejudice against color, but we claim, also,
to feel that sense of Justice which leads US
to conquer our prejudices and deal justly
and fairly by the colored race, and every
other race. We also claim political sagacity
enough to see that no true and lasting peace
can be had in our country on any other basis
than that of equal political rights to all citi-
zens, irrespective of color.
We say to you, the right of suffrage for
he cotored man has become Inevitable.
The experiment must be tried and woe to
the country if the experiment fails. If it
should in any event fail of success that par
ty which so pertinacously refuses to grant
justice and fair dealing, and has worked so
industriously to foment the prejudices Of the
masses, will be responsible for the troubles
and bloodshed that will inevitably ensue.
But, Mr.. Speaker, have only small mis-
givings in regard to theresult, and here permit
me to point out an infalibe remedy against
all prospective difficulty. solicit particu
lar attention to the point now about to be
made, for it is seldom introduced into polit-
ical discussions.
What, Mr.. Speaker, is considered the high
est christian attainment? What the most
certain indication of exalted manhood? Is
it not the attainment of the virtue of self
sacrifice the willingness for the sake of
principle to yield for the good of others
what is seemingly to our own disadvantage |
Why not measure political virtue by the
same standard as we estimate the virtue of
the private citizen? Blessed indeed, will be
the country when we mount this high plane |
of political morals.
The exercise of small amount of this po- |
litical manliness and selfsacrifce in the |
present instance would do away with all |
risk in this important experiment. and re- |
move all fear of fuIurc troubles.
One word, Mr.. Speaker, on the historical
arguments brought to bear against this uni
versal suffrage movement We are told that
the uniting of different races into one gov
ernment has been tried in the past and failed. |
My answer is in accordance with the senti- |
ments just uttered.
The causes of past failure will be found to
have been in the unbridled passions and
selfish interests of the opposing races. We
have flattered ourselves that in the United
States of America have been laid the foun-
dations of more righteous government,
wherein justice and right shall in the end |
prevail. The only question is, have we ar
rived at that condition of cultured virtue
wherein we are prepared to pursue manly
and unselfish course and demonstrate practi- |
cally the causes of past failures.
l would say therefore to the members of
this body and to the people of my native
State, let us by all means vote unanimously
in support of the 10th Article, for the reasons
above stated, briefly recapitulatcd.
First. Because ii is consistent with the
foundation prlnciples-the very corner stone
upon which our institutions are built.
Second. Because ii is in accordance with |
the expressed views Of the fathers of true
Democracy.
Third. Because il is sat one with the |
practices of the Democratic party, in its
earlier and purer days when its practices |
were built upon its avowed principles.
Fourth. Because the experiment of uni |
versal suffrage to all citizens seems inevitable
and should have fair and full trial
Fifth. Because it is the true, manly and
honorable political course 10 he pursued and
the only course that can result in established
and lasting peace