Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-08-14

Senator Sumner has addressed the fol-
lowing reply to note of congratulatlon
and gratitude recently received from the
leading cClored citizens of the District OF
Columbia:
WASHINGTON July %. 1873
GENTLEMEN | am honored by your commu-
ncation of July 90 in which, after congratu-
lating me upon my returning health, and ex-
pressing your sincere hopes that | may resume
my labors in the Senate, there to take up again
the cause Of equal rights, YOU mention that
the colored citizens of Washington are now
engaged in agitating what you properly call
ga common school system for all children"
desire to thank you for the goodwill TO my
self which your communication exhibits, and
for your hopes that may again, in the Sen
ate, take up the cause of equal rights. Health
itself is valuable only as it enables us to per-
form the duties of life, and / know no present
duty more commanding than that to which you
refer. | confess true pleasure in learning
that the colored people are at last rising to
take the good cause into their own hands, be-
cause through them its triumph is certain {;
but they must be in earnest. They must Tin
sist and labor; then labor and insist again. !"
Only in this way can Indifference, which is
worse even than stubbOrnness or opposition,
be overcome. The open foe can be met. 1t is
hard to deal with that dizziness which feels no
throb at the thought Of opening to
all complete equality in the pursuit OF
happiness. Permit me to remind you,
gentlemen, that, living at the National
Capital, you have a peculiar responsibility.
In the warfare for equal rights you are the ad-
vance guards; sometimes the fOrlorn hope.
You are animated TO move forward not only
for your own immediate good, but because
through you the whole colored population of
the country viii be benefited. What is secured
for you will be secured for all, while, If you
fall, there is small hope elsewhere. DO not
forget land for this thought arouse TO increased
cXertonl that your triumph will rebound to
the good Of all The District of Columbia is
the place where all the great reforms born of
the war have begun. 1t is the experimental
garden and nursery where all generous plants
have been tried. Emancipation, c0lored suf-
ffagc, The right Of cOlored persons to testify.
ana their right TO ride in the street cars-all
these began here, and | remember how well
they were all encountered. On the abolition of
slavery we were sOlemnlv warned that riot,
confusion, and chaos would ensue. Enamel
patton took place and not voice or sound
was heard except of peace and gladness. |
was sobcrlv assured by eminent politicians
that if colored persons were allowed to vote
there would he a massacre Mt the polls. Then,
again, col0rcd testimony was deprecated, when
II was insisted that the street-cars would be
ruined If opened to colored persons. But all
these changes were brnefcent. Nobody would
reverse thcmnOw. Who would establish slavery
again? Who would drive colored citizens
from the polls - Who would exclude him
from the courtroom? Who would shut him
from the street cars And now the old Obiec-
tions are revived and made to do service again.
in order 10 defeat effort for the common
schools, being schools founded on the very
principle Of equal rights recognized i'm the
elective franchise, in the courtroom, and in
The street car. If this principle is just for all
the latter, and nobody saws the contrary now,
why hesitate to apply It to education? How
often we are eni0ncd to train the child in the
way he should 90. Why, then, compel him in
those tender wears to bear the ban of exclusion?
Why, at that early period, when impressions
are received for life, impose upon him the
badge of infcriOrity? He is to be q man.
therefore he must he trained to that self-re-
spect without which there can be no true man
hood. But this can be only by removing all
ban Of exclusion and every badge of inferior
ity by color. As the old objections are
waived, SO again do | present the great truth,
announced by our Fathers in the Declara-
ton Of Independence, that all mon were Gre
ated equal Admitting this principle rs a
rule Of conduct, the separation of children
IN the public schools on account of
color is absolutely indefensible. In
abolishing it, we simply bring our schools into
conformity with the requirements of the Dec
laration. To the objection that this change
viii iniurc the schools, reply, this is contra
ry 10 experience in other places where the com
mmgling Of children, according to the genius
Of republican institutions, has been found eX-
callent in influence; aud further reply, 10y in
sisting now, rs | always do, upon that Justice
to an oppressed race which has been too long
delayed, and which never fails to be a we'll
spring Of strength and happiness, blessing all
who help ii and who receive IT, Feeling as
do ON this question, YOU Will understand that
| cannot see, without regret, any opportunity
neglected Of advancing the cause, especially
among my colored fellow citizcns. On this
they should be n unit. Wherever the ques-
tion presents itself whether in Congress or the
legislative chambers Of the District, or the
popular assembly, there should be a solid vote
against every discrimination on account of
color. 1t is easy for lawyers and politicians to
find excuses according TO their desires; b. no
fne-spun theory or tcchnicality should be al
lowed to prevail against the commanding prin-
ciplc, Accept my best wishes, and believe me,
gentlemen, your faithful friend,
(Signedl CHARLES SUMNER.