The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-07-14
Interpretation of the Social Phase
of the School Bill.
Extract of the Speech of Lt.-Gov. POsoel

Extract of the Speech of t.-Gov. POaoers.
But there is another obstacle that stands
III the way of carrying the provisions of the
bill before us into effect.
THE SOCIAL QUESTION
enters into this discussion, as it has into
many others that have come before this
Legislature i have time to consider it but
briefly. Half the confusion that arises upon
this subject IS Duet a misuse of terms
Three-fnurths of those persons who pirate
so loudly about equality. do not understand
the definition of the words they use. 1t l.
plain proposition, that social equality can
exist only among equals. If this is not
true, then there is no such thing as social
inequality; or social equality does not mean
what the words imply. The social relations
of men are private, subject only TO the wish
es and tastes of the individual. They can
be regulated by law to no greater extent
than the family relations. ~Every man has
the right to choose with whom he will asso-
ciate," is as good common law, as "a mems
house is his castle.' People of like tastes.
congenial dispositions. of similar tempera-
ment. aspiring TO like objects or pursuing
like av~cations. naturally associate together
on equal terms. Th.ir right to do so is a
natural right, not subject To the interference
of law. As rule. people of the same race
and same nationality prefer to associate to-
gether. This has been so throughout the
pdSl- anu ~ Will PAOOdOiJ 81 III tile
future.
But, sir, the fact that men mingle togeth-
err in business. ride together in the same ear
or steamboat, or sit together in the same
convention or assembly, does not constitute
them socially equal. no more than it makes
them morally or intel ectually equal
have no sympathy with the great cutlery
that is leveled against the rights of men,
solely on the ground of color. i recognize
different grades in society, and can under
\ 60 Il
tuous should not be contaMIpated by asso-
citation with the wicked, W low and the
vicious. / can see some reason for refusing
TO ride in the same car or steamboat or fer
declining to sit in the same assembly with
drunka-ds. gamblers, robbers and murder
ers. but to refuse TO come into such profanity
scith men because they happened to bear differ
ent compilations from my OfcH- Ic0utd be TO Gc-
knowledge a mean prejudice, aRsc0Tthg OF an
age Of Intelligence.
Sir, If there are those who believe that a
mans complexion. whether il be black, red,
brown or what not, can become badge of
disgrace which no endowment of God. or
no requirement of art or science can wipe
out, then those persons are welcome to the
consolation which that belief afford can
pity the narrow and dwarfed souls that
cherish such prejudice, but am not dispo-
sed to admit the delusion in my own heart.
The time, i apprehend.has passed for estima-
ting man by the color of his skin rather
than by the qualities of his heart, or the
strength Of his intellect. It is, at least, bet
term accord with the genius of our free in
stitutions, to leave the race of life open to
all alike. and as our fOrefatheFs refused to
recognize caste based upon noble blood. so
am not inclined to assist in building up an
arlstoeracy based upon color. While am
aware that the Caucasian race has furnish
ed the highest types of moral, intellectual
and physical development, / believe it has
also furnished examples of the greatest de-
pravity, deformity and ignorance. am un-
willing to say that crime Is robbed of its
enormity when committed by members of
my own race, or that manly worth and ex-
allied merit should not be recognized when
found among people of a different ancestry.
Sir. / have no anxiety about the social
question. Justice and reason will, in due
time. settle that, rs well as all other ques-
lions involving the rights of men, 70 the
salts faction of all. The rapid march of
events will soon bring as the solution; for,
with all we can say or do. we are scarcely
more than spectators TO the grand reyoln-
The revolution that has elevated four and
| half millions Of slaves 70 the dignity OF
citizenship, and placed almost tcithin their
hands the destiHies Of tie nightiest and most
their rights recognized, and tksy hare dssHBs-
/ ed their proper place ia society Those who
are most interested in this question. can best
afford TO await its solution. The time 81
| scaifing s0izt not be Tong. The passage Of this
bill VIII hasten L. by opening The way
| can gain access 20 the understanding OF The
people, and thereby raise them superior q
/ their passions and pr jndices into the pu-
rer akmospbereof Reason and Truth.
The provisions OF this bin are wise in this
respect. for while 2 rscognfzes NJ cidss d.
1 fsnttioMs (which OF itself ought 90 render
any law odiouG IN q repablican eDvernmenf<,
! e nevertheless consnifs the conyenIeuce ane