Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-02-06
SOCIAL EQUALITY.

In the Senate, a few days ago. up
On the consideration of the bill for
the removal Of oil legal disabilities
from the South, Senator SALISBURY, OF this |
State. took occasion 10 allude to the PROPOSE
ton of Mr.. Sumner and others looking 10
the social equality OF the races. Al
the close Of lengthy speech, Mr. Salisbury
said:
And now, Mr.. President, let me ask IN
conclusion what Is 10 be the eject resulting
| from measure Of this kindr am aware
that il is generally difficult, ifnot impossible,
/ 10 toresee all the consequences likely TO re-
| sult from any measure; and would not,
| therefore. be understood as claiming for the
| oninions NAV venture TO express on THIS
| noInt unerring certainty. Knowing soma-
Thing. however, of the feelings and senii-
menis OF the eJple Of my own Stale, anu OF
those States in which there Is a large num-
Der of colored people, ! think there can be
| but little difficulty in forming correct con-
| clu.ion as 10 the probable results that will
follow the passage Of this amendment. So
far as hotels and places Of public amuse-
ment are concerned they will be effectnally
closed if this bill IRsses. White people in
nv State, and In all the Southern ana
border States, will not consent TO be forced
/ 10 meet al the same table, and In the same
theatre, persons Oi different race. You
may by an assumption OF power wholly IN
| authorized undertake by Legislation 10 de-
cree equality, but when the alternative u
| prt sented TO white men OF foregoing Tie
accommodation furnished by these places
or sharing them on an equality with negroes,
thew will not hesitate. These places Will he
closed, and be deprecated In value 10 thell
owners, and such persons as reside al holels
or resort to places OF amusement viii feeh
places Of entertainment and amusemen
where they will not be subject to the annoy
ances proposed by Ibis amendment
The effect Of this measure upon common
schools will, In my opinion, prove most dis
astrous. Very few white persons, | an
\ suIe. 10 places where there are any con
Siderable number of colOrtd people, vii
consent 10 send their children 10 mlxe'
achnols. II any should be found willing Il
; Az 80 they would be regarded as too debase'
in feeling, II not TOO degraded BY vice, 4
share 10 The eympathies or respect oil thei
white fellow-ciliz ms. The coLssquenc
must be that the common school system
I, will be broken W. Men VIII ne
y send their children TO schools where The
y must associate aud gov up with Negroes
). and the white men who are now dept nden
y on common schools for the education {
II their children, are the very last men VII
= would consent 10 DO so For one | sbOul
u regard II as a tar less evil 10 STE the cOmmo
; schools In my State abandoned than 10 Sc
AZ For YoitY 'ysafsS Tie people 6i my 5ia
No have enjoyed the advantage Of our preset
Il school system, which secures nj least ia
or educational privileges 10 every white Chi
No in the State. Our school fund has bee
oo sacredly guarded and preserved, and II
Of creased tom time 10 time as the limited =
no sources oil the State would allow. d
'is people have in tue past lell q strong atlac
Of ment TO our school system, detective thOul
IA il may be, and would not willingly loreI
as the advantages which II affords. Yet II III
er amendment passcs, and opens The schools
~ cOlord people equally with The white
,ess there will be but one voice in the State
he reference 10 the Longer continuance of Il
~ system The Legislature will not hesiia
ON 10 repeal the school laws Ot the State al
he appropriate the school fund To the payne
OF the State debt. Such acllOn will be d
,r. manded by the white voters Of Delaware al
nj the General Assembly OF the Slate W
,e' obey their bChests.