New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-12-21
Prejudice vs.. Color.
TRENTON, NEW JERsRY.
Deoember q l8sl

December y, 1871.
To the Editor efhe Nea0 National Era:
The universal idea entertained and ex-
pressed in the United States Of America, is
that there is such a thing as prejudice against
color. This idea is false, both in conception
and fact l shall give my own definition Of
these terms, which I think will bear the test
of philosophical criticism. Prejudice il to
PREJUDICE. It 10 to form Q dislike or dis:aste
against another. without any knowledge or
information Of his character. 1t is O licentious
use of language to say you dislike another
because he is of this or that color What is
color but naturef and what is nature but the
name for an effect, whoae eauss il Godq IL
Is the impress Of the Almighty hand upon the
human form. No man would be so sacrilegious
as to say he hates that without cause. No
person is responsible for his birth, nor any OF
the incidents attendant upon it. such as color,
features. language, race. You can for the
same reason hate yourself. But to show more
clearly the absurdity Of this idea, if men aate
men because OF . certain color, why not dis
like hats, boots, coats, TO-, because of the
color. In this they show decided preference
for this color instead Of prejudice against it,
But, again, why do these very persons who
claim that this prejudice il natural, find no
objection to persons of color when acting as
servants, nurses, walters. drivers, cooks, and
the likef In most cases they are preferred
to white persons in that capacity. There is no
prejudice then-nothing oHensive-but as soon
~ he asserts his equality as . man and
citizen, there is q natural prejudice. There is
an instructive dislike. Further still, if this be
innate, why not exist in the breast OF the
colored man alsoY They, as q race, have no
such feeling; for if the affirmative of propo-
stion be true, the converse is also true What
10 true OF an affirmative is also true of predi-
cato. Again, it 10 q notable and uudeniable
fact, that the nearer you approach the North
Pole the lighter the color and vice versa, show.
ing that the origin of color is climate. Again.
color is not peculiar to any one race; for
Buchanan. in his travels, speaks of meeting
with black Jews, who spoke Hebrew. There
are black Jews in Malabar at this day but
Why multiply facts Of this kind, when we have
the most unQuistionabls proof OF the common
origin of all mankind from some of the most
scientific men of the age! Max Muller, in
his Science OF Languages, says: "There has
been no nation upon the earth which, il it DOS
sessed any traditions on the origin Of mankind,
did not derive the human race from one pair,
II not from one person. Again, says Baron
Humboldt Cosmos $50 y while we main.
tain the unity of the human species, We at the
same time repel the depressing assumption Of
the superiority and infsriority of races of men.
There are nations moro susceptible Of cultiva.
ton, more highly civilised, more ennobled BY
mental cultivation than others. but none in
themselves nobler than others"
Still again: In the words of the able trans.
iators and illustrators of Baron Cuver's great
work, we are fully warranted in concluding,
both from q comparison Of man with inferior
animals, so far a. the inferiority will allow of
such comparison, and, beyond that, Of compar.
ing himself with himself, that the great family
Of mankind loudly proclaim descent q. some
period or other from one common origin.
And the Apostle Paul, although writing pre-
viously confirms both the authority of history
and science. by declaring, "Out Of .ors blood
God made all nations of men TO dwell On all
the face Of the earth"
These authorities are quite SUFFICIENT to say
nosning OF our own experience and observa.
walton. One more fact Is proof positive. which
addresses itself to the common sense and intel
hgsoes OF every man. Colored persons don't
sunk. there 10 nothing offensive about them,
no prejudice, when their votes are wanting
then they are ell lavender and otto Of roses
but - soon a. he asserts his right to be placed
on jury. he 10 decidedly obnoxious; and oh!
how repugoant and horrible In every respect
should he want an once. Especially In New
Jersey " this peculiarly applicable. But this
p'saa'cs 70 not against color. bat condition,
-. ~ me color is but the work Of the condi
P'sasiss against caste has sxisted