The Tupelo journal., 1904-01-22
Abraham Lincoln, September 10, 1858.

Il am not, nor ever have been in
favor of bringing about in any way
the social and political equality OF the
white and black races; / am hot, nor
ever have been, in favor of making yot-
ers or jurors of negroes, nor of quail.
flying them to hold Office, nor to inter-
marry 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
will forever forbid the two races liv-
ing together on terms of social and
political equality. And inasmuch as
they cannot so live, while they remain
together, there must be the position
of superior and inferior, Inc | as much
as any other man am in favor of hay
ing the superior position assigned to
the white race"
III these words were true when
spoken by Mr.. Lincoln, they are true
today, and will be true to the end Of
time. Now this may sound a little
harsh to those unfamiliar with the
facts in the Gaze, but by every intelli-
gent white man and thoughtful negro
in Mississippi it will be accepted as
absolutely true, however much the
question may be gilded with conserva-
tism or be ciouded by discrimination.
( The time has come when the truth
should be told about this matter: ii
matters not how disagreeable il may
be to hear it. The first step towards
changing the educational system of
the State, so as to meet the demands
of both races, it occurs to me, is for
the Legislature to submit to the peo-
pie a proposition to amend the consti-
tuition, SO as to give the legislature IN
restricted authority in dealing with the
public school question. Surely the
Legislature, elected every four years
by he people, a be relied upoa to
do the proper thing in this matter,
without constitutional prescription.
1t is quite certain that little can be
done to ellie the present most I'm
desirable condition of things, while
the constitution remains as it is.
The matter of school books calls for
consideration at the hands of the leg
islature. The purchase of books has
become an oppressive burden upon the
poor. The great number and variety
of books demanded in our latter day
common school curriculum indicates
that We are proceeding upon the the
ory that the child was created ia the
interest of the school book publish
ers, rather than that the books are
made for the child.
Separate sleeping n dining cars
for the races and a strict enforce
ment of the law as a means of pre-
venting conflicts and promoting har-
mOny between the races
To prevent nepotism in the various
State and educational institutions par
ticularly, that merit and efficient serv-
ice. rather than the accident of birth,
may control in the selection of men
and women for these places; in a gov
eminent whose form is democratic.
deriving all of it's powers from the
consent OF the governed. the official
life of the public servant should body
forth the genius of his government
1t should be characterized by that SIM
plicity and unostentation which indi-
Gates a profound recognition of the
sovereignty of the people and the sub
serviency of the Office holder. That
this principle may be exemplifed in
the chief executive, | would sugges
that the executive mansion be sold or
devoted to some other use than that
of a State-provided home for the gov
ernor. 1t would be a matter OF econ
omy, both for the State and for the
governor, for the State to increase the
salary of the governor, and permit
him to live, as do other public serv-
ants, at the capitol. | do not IKE the
idea OF the executive mansion. 1t is
a relic of royalty, and has the odor
of that effete ~aristocracy which is a
curse to every country where it -four
ishes, and it also contempiates and
imposes social obligations which sin
against the strength of manhood and
consume time which should be devot-
ed to more serious things.
A liberal system of pensions for
INDECENT and helpless confederate SOL
diers, is a matter which should COM
mand he most ardent support of every
patriotic Mississippian. Aside from
considerations of humanity, a sense of
profound gratitude should move the
people of this State to provide for
these old heroes. to drive from the
door of poverty and old age the raw
enous wolf of want, whose discordant
growls make hideous the twilight of
their honorable lives. 1t is not a mere
matter of charity that | ask, my coun-
trymen, but, on the contrary. | wish
to remind you of a moral obligation
resting upon every citizen of this
State. and nj which he should thank
God for the privilege of absolving.
Man is the creature of heredity and
environment; the most useful lessons,
are the lessons learned from other lives.
The value OF the example OF incom-
parable self-sacrifice, devotion to prin-
ciple and loyalty to those cherished
ideals which have glorified and en-
riched Southern civilization. of which
they are the embodiment. cannot be
measured by dollars and cents, or ade-
quately rewarded by all the genera
ions yet to come. Some of the newspa-
perS complain that the number of pen
sioperS is increasing and that the bur
den upon the tax payers is growing
heavier every year. That the num-
Der of pensioners is increasing, is but
in accord with the eternal order of
things. The veterans are growing old
er every year, and, consequently, more
feeble and less able to support them
selves. But a few years more, m
the number will begin to decrease, and,
then, it will not be long until the last
name will be dropped from the roll
the last pensioner upon the States
love and gratitude will have crossed
over the river 4 taken his place
with the heroes in eternity. AS long
as there is n left, however. | want
II understood that | care not how
heavy the burdens of taxation may be,
1nGf n lnno 10 tho - -AOlAl