must expect the still more heavy vengeance of an offended Father, still increasing his inflictions as he increased the severity of the plagues of Egypt until the tyrant consented to do justice.  And when that tyrant repented of his reluctant consent, and attempted to re-enslave the people, as our southern tyrants are attempting to do now, he filled the Red Sea with broken chariots and drowned horses, and strewed the shores with dead carcasses.

Mr. Chairman, I trust the Republican party will not be alarmed at what I am saying.  I do not profess to speak their sentiments, nor must they be held responsible for them.  I speak for myself, and take the responsibility, and will settle with my intelligent constituents.

This is not a “white man’s Government,” in the exclusive sense in which it is used.  To say so is political blasphemy, for it violates the fundamental principles of our gospel of liberty.  This is man’s Government; the Government of all men alike; not that all men will have equal power and sway within it.  Accidental circumstances, natural and acquired endowment and ability, will vary their fortunes.  But equal rights to all the privileges of the Government is innate in every immortal being, no matter what the shape or color of the tabernacle which it inhabits.

If equal privileges were granted to all, I should not expect any but white men to be elected to office for long ages to come.  The prejudice engendered by slavery would not soon permit merit to be preferred to color.  But it would still be beneficial to the weaker races.  In a country where political divisions will always exist, their power, joined with just white men, would greatly modify, if it did not entirely prevent, the injustice of majorities.  Without the right of suffrage in the late slave States (I do not speak of the free States), I believe the slaves had far better been left in bondage.  I see it stated that very distinguished advocates of the right of suffrage lately declared in this city that they do not expect to obtain it by congressional legislation, but only by administrative action, because, as one gallant gentleman said, the States had not been out of the Union.  Then they will never get it.  The President is far sounder than they.  He sees that administrative action has nothing to do with it.  If it ever is to come, it must be by constitutional amendments or congressional action in the Territories, and in enabling acts.

How shameful that men of influence should mislead and miseducate the public mind!  They proclaim, “This is the white man’s Government,” and the whole coil of copperheads echo the same sentiment, and upstart, jealous Republicans join the cry.  Is it any wonder ignorant foreigners and illiterate natives should learn this doctrine, and be led to despise and maltreat a whole race of their fellow-men?

Sir, this doctrine of a white man’s Government is as atrocious as the infamous sentiment that damned the late Chief-Justice to everlasting fame; and, I fear, to everlasting fire.