The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-15
.l1P. LINCOLN ON NEGRO SUF-
siB. ERAOE.

on Llncoln's birthday, he calls attention
to some views OF Lincoln on negro equal
ity, both social and political. with the
white man. which seem to some persons
to be extraordinary, considering the
source from which they came. But Judge
Pryor did not tell the whole story as Lin
coin himself told it. Mr.. Lincoln's Views
were expressed first In the great debate
which took place between himself anu
Stephen A. Douglas when they were
competing for the United States senator
ship Of Illinois in the summer and early
fall OF 1855 It will be remembered that
Mr.. Douglas defeated Mr.. Lincoln. the
whole question of slavery and its extern
sion to the territories was discussed IN
that celebrated debate. Mr.. Lincoln's
position was that Of an emancipationist
and not an ultra abolitionist, He was
for limiting slavery as far as possible,
and was opposed to the southern view
OF the rights Of slavery in the territories.
He was charged with an extreme position
which he felt called upon TO explain and
deny. In speech made by Mr.. Lincoln
g I
month before the John Brown raid-he
said, referring to newspaper. called
"The Ohio Statesman" that he had read
an article in which. among other state
ments. he found the following:
I'm debating with Senator Douglas
during the memorable days of last fall,
Mr.. Lincoln declared In favor Of negro
suffrage and attempted to defend that
vile conception against the Little Giant"
Mr.. Lincoln declared that this state.
ment was mistake. and said
I'm the first pitched battle which Sena-
tor Douglas and myself had at the town
Of Ottowa. used the Language which
will now read Having been previously
reading an extract I continued as fol-
lows:
Now. gentlemen, don't want to read at
any greater length, but this is the true
complexion of all have over said In
regard to the institution of slavery and
the black race. This is the whole of 1t;
and anything that argues me into his
Sea of perfect social and political equnli-
~ with the negro is but n spacious and
fantastic arrangement of words, by which
chestnut horse ] will say here, while
upon this subject, that I have no pur-
pose directly or indirectly to interfere
with the institution Of slavery in the
States where it exists. l believe have
no lawful right to do So and I haze no
inclination to do so. 1 have no purpose
to introduce political and social equality
between the white and black races. There
is physical difference between the two
oh tn j,,5rr will 1,,
forbid their ever living together upon the
footingIof perfect equality; and inasmuch
ms II becomes a necessity that there must
- a difference, I, we'll as Judge
Z Douglas, am in favor Of the race to
which ] belong, having the superior posi-
ton. have never said anything to the
contrary, but l hold that. notwithstand-
Ing all this. there is no reason in the
Declaration of Independence-th the right to
world why the negro is not entitled to
all the natural rights enumerated in the
life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
hold that he IS as much entitled to
these as the white man. I agree with
Judge Douglas, he Is not my equal in
many respccts-certanly not in color,
perhaps not in moral or Intellectual en-
downents But in the right TO eat the
bread. without leave of anybody else.
which his own hands earns, HE IS My
s EQUAL. AND THE 1cQUAL OF JUDGE
DOUGLAS. AND THE EQUAL OF
EVERY LIVING MAN.
Upon a subsequent OCCASION when the
reason for making a statement like this
recurred, said:
while ! was at the hotel to-day, an
& elderly gentleman called upon me to
know whether / was really in favor OF
producing perfect equality between the
negroes and white people. While I had
not proposed to myself on this occa-
Z Sion TO say much on that subject, vet:
as the question was asked me, i thought
! would occupy perhaps five minutes in
saying something In regard to It, I will
say. then. that am not, nor ever have
been. in favor of brIn cling about in any
way the social and political equality or
the white and black races; that am not.
nor over have been. in favor OF making
voters or jurors Of negroes, nor of quail
Tying them TO hold office. or intermarry
with the white people; and will say in
addition to this, that there Is a physical
difference between the white and black
races which ! believe viii forever forbid
the TWO races Living together On terms
of social and political equality And mas
much as they cannot SO live, while they
do remain together there must be the
position OF superior and inferior, and l.
as much as any other man. am in favor
OF having the superior position assigned
70 the white race. ] say upon this occa-
sion ! do not perceive that because Tho
white man Is 10 haze the superior posi-
ton. the negro should be denied every
thing, do not understand that because
90 not want negro woman 20:
slave. ] must necessarily want her for a
"lte. My understanding Is that ! cen
Jnst iet her alone. ] am now In n.Sa
Ftt'eth year, and ] certainly re7er had
black woman for either n sla ,e ar
Vic SO 1t seems to me quite oos.itlo
Tor US to got along without making ether
Slaves or wives OF negroes. | WIN rda
70 this that have never sean. to nv
Z knowledge, man, woman or ch,h Nto
\ WAS IN favor Of producing perfect email.
~. social and political, between negroes
and white men, ] recollect of but oan
Y distinguished instance that ever bears
OF so frequently as TO DO satisfied OF ill.,
2corrsn,,,. .ss-andithat Is the case of Judge
4 DIS old friend. Colonel Richard Al
s. slll yotI Will also add to the remarks
cn1 do IN 7