to the plain, unmistakable language of the Declaration.
I think the authors of that notable
instrument intended to include all men; but they
did not intend to declare all men equal in all respects.
They did not mean to say all were equal in color, size,
intellect, moral development, or social capacity.
They defined with tolerable distinctness in what
respects they did consider all men created equal—equal
with “certain inalienable rights, among which,
are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
This they said, and this they meant. They
did not mean to assert the obvious untruth that
all were then actually enjoying that equality, nor
yet that they were about to confer it immediately
upon them. In fact they had no power to confer
such a boon. They meant simply to declare
the right, so that the enforcement of it might follow
as fast as circumstances should permit. They
meant to set up a standard maxim for free society,
which should be familiar to all, and revered by
all; constantly looked to, constantly labored for,
and even though never perfectly attained, constantly
approximated, and thereby constantly spreading
and deepening its influence and augmenting; the
happiness and value of life to all people of all colors
everywhere. The assertion that “all men
are created equal” was of no practical use
in effecting our separation from Great Britain;
and it was placed in the Declaration, not for that
but for future use. Its authors meant it
to be, as, thank God, it is now proving itself,
a stumbling-block to all those who in after times
might seek to turn a free people back into the hateful
paths of despotism. They knew the proneness
of prosperity to breed tyrants, and they meant
when such should reappear in this fair land and
commence their vocation, they should find left for
them at least one hard nut to crack.
----------
[1] The ownership of Dred Scott and his family passed by inheritance
to the family of a Massachusetts Republican member of Congress. The
following telegram, copied from the “Providence Post” into the
“Washington Union,” shows the action of the new owner: “St. Louis, May
26 [1857]. Dred Scott with his wife and two daughters were emancipated
to-day by Taylor Blow, Esq. They had been conveyed to him by Mr.
Chaffee for that purpose.”
THE LECOMPTON CONSTITUTION
The year 1857 brings us to a decided change in the
affairs of Kansas, but with occurrences no less remarkable.
Active civil war gradually ceased in the preceding
autumn—a result due to the vigorous and
impartial administration of Governor Geary and the
arrival of the inclement winter weather.
[Sidenote] Geary to Marcy, Jan. 19, 1857.
Senate Ex. Doc. No. 17,
1st Sess. 35th Cong. Vol. VI.,
p. 131.
[Sidenote] Geary, Veto Message, Feb. 18,
1857. Senate Ex. Doc.
No. 17, 1st Sess. 35th Cong. Vol.
VI., p. 167.
