The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-31

amalgamation of the species, gen.
Grafton may be produced that shall
be far superior, in point of natural
genius and mental powers, to the
blacks of this country as they now
exist. But take them as they now
are, and nature seems to have de-
signed them for different sphere of
action. And whether they be capa-
BILE of taking care of themselves, of
providing for their own natural wants
and for the regulation of social
system among them, is a question
which certainly receives no very ia
vorable answer by an appeal to the
history of their race. This, however,
is not the only general class of men
that is naturally inferior to other
classes in the strength and expansion
of intellectual powers.
But without appealing to distinct
orders and nations of men, we find
the same diversity among individuals
in all nations. Every man cannot
arrive at the very summit of fame,
however fortuitous circumstances
may all concur in his favor. Some
men have not natural talent or
strength of intellect sufficient to rise
to that elevation to which others
arise. And thus, however, much
mankind, in some respects, may
stand on an equality with each other,
there are other particulars in which
there are natural distinctions among
them over which they have no con-
troll.
II. But the more prominent and
the more invidious distinctions that
are found among them are wholly
artificial; and though much import
ance is frequently attached to these
distinctions, they are in reality of but
very little consequence.
a. Among these may be classed,
in the first place, the distinction
founded on wealth. To this the
sacred writer refers in the words of
the text: "The rich and the poor meet
together, and the Lord is the maker
of them ALL" In all ages of the world
there has been a distinction among
mankind in this particular; and the
desire has deeply and extensively
prevailed, and induced the most &C
tive efforts, and severe labor to arrive
at the highest eminence in the attain
ment of this object. The custom of
society and the Establishments of
the glittering treasure have attached
an Importance to this object which it
does not really possess. After all
that is said and all that is done and
all that is gained, the distinction,
which wealth confers, is merely facti-
cious. 1t confers mere show of
greatness, and that too, it may be,
without any real worth in its posses
sor to entitle him to the distinction
which he covets. 1t may, and it does,
draw its lines in society and form its
castles or orders in the population of
country. But still, without the
possession of other qualities, where
is the real, the mighty difference be-
tween the rich and the poor? Enter
into the professedly higher orders of
society, and strip off the vail of facti-
cious greatness, remove the pride
and vanity and impudence that too
often accompany wealth, and there
remains the same humiliating moth
ingness-the same dreary distinction
of real worth that is found in the
lower orders, especially in country
like ours. And in those that are con-
sidered the lower orders, there is
often more real worth-more of the
true dignity of human nature, yelled
under the unassuming garb of hui
mility, than is to be found in the
higher classes. 1t is emphatically true,
then, that in some respects, at least,
the rich and the poor meet together
and stand on the same broad and
dwelling equality.
(2). Another particular which has
been made the ground of artificial
distinctions is birth or extraction.
The high moral worth, or literary
or martial eminence, or other
species of greatness which some
individuals have obtained has thrown
around their character a charm,
and glory that have passed down
to succeeding generations. And
it has been considered a great honor
to be connected by birth or descent
with a man whose name is thus
known, and whose applause is
breathed over the world upon ten
thousand tongues. From hence arose,
unquestionably, the idea of distinc-
tions from birth, and all the pride of
ancestry, which so extensively pre-
vail in some portions of the world.
These distinctions are carried, not
unfrequently, toa very great and un-
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