The following letter appeared in the _St. Louis Democrat_.
BOSTON, October 3, 1868.
DEAR SIR,--I am pained to learn that there can be any question
among good Republicans with regard to the enfranchisement of
the colored race, especially as declared in the Constitutional
Amendment now pending in Missouri. When shall this great question
be settled, if not now? Why wait? Why prolong the agony? There is
only one way in which it can be settled. Why not at once? All who
vote against it only vote to continue the agitation, which will
never end except with the establishment of the Equal Rights of
All.
Only in this way can the Declaration of Independence be
vindicated in its self-evident truths. As long as men are
excluded from the suffrage on account of color, it is gross
impudence for any nation to say that they are equal in rights. Of
course, men are not equal in strength, size, or other endowments,
physical or mental; but they are equal in rights, which is what
our fathers declared. They are equal before God, equal before the
divine law; they should be made equal before human law. Equality
before the Law is the true rule.
How can any possible evil result from a rule which is so natural
and just? There can be no conflict of races where there is no
denial of rights. It is only when rights are denied that conflict
begins. See to it that all are treated with justice, and there
will be that peace which is the aspiration of good men. For the
sake of peace I pray that this great opportunity be not lost.
I hear a strange cry about the supremacy of one race over
another. Of course I am against this with my whole heart and
soul. I was against it when it showed itself in the terrible
pretensions of the slave-master; and now I am against it, as it
shows itself in the most shameful oligarchy of which history
has made mention,--an oligarchy of the skin. Reason, humanity,
religion, and common sense, all reject the wretched thing. Even
if the whites are afraid that the blacks will become an oligarchy
and rule their former masters, this is no reason for a continued
denial of rights. But this inquietude on account of what is
nicknamed “negro supremacy” is as amusing as it is incredible.
It is one of the curiosities of history. Occupied as I am at
this moment, I should be tempted to put aside all other things
and journey to the Mississippi in order to look at a company of
whites who will openly avow their fear of “negro supremacy.” I
should like to see their pallid faces, and hear the confession
from their own trembling lips. Such a company of whites would be
a sight to behold. Falstaff’s sorry troops were nothing to them.
Such foolish fears and foolish arguments cannot prevail against
the great cause of Equal Rights. Spite of all obstacles and all
prejudices, this truth must triumph. Was it not declared by our
fathers? What they declared is a promise perpetually binding on
us, their children.
Accept my best wishes, and believe me, dear Sir, faithfully yours,