40 the South to change its sentiments ; for the Southern heart to become softened with respect to the negro ; for the Southern pride to accept the equality of the races ? Wait ! But habits are being formed, disputes are beginning, situations are becoming strengthened. The change, which would have appeared simple on the morrow of the war, will later assume the aspect of an abuse of power against which the combined forces of the South and its friends will enter into conflict. The negro question will reappear ; it will reappear entire with respect to the right of suffrage, if this right is not proclaimed without delay. Do iyou absolutely insist on having a second quarrel on account of slavery ? Do not delude yourselves, I entreat you. Do not willingly mistake the consequences of your conduct. Counsels of postponement are always winning and attractive ; we always like to throw upon the future the responsibility of the difficulties which disturb the present. Instead of doing, we say, “ I will do,” and the conscience is tranquil. Is it not wise, moreover, not to attempt to do everything at once ? The point at stake is not to do everything at once, but to do to-day what it will be impossible to do to-morrow. Tomorrow, each one will have taken his stand. To-morrow, each one will have entered upon his path ; the former slaves, upon a path of discouragement which suppresses brave effort and renders progress impossible ; the former masters, upon the path of continued dominion which excludes the equality of the races, maintains servitude, and holds in reserve the final resource of expatriation. You would wait for prejudices to vanish—and they are about to be strengthened. You would wait for the races to become reconciled—and they, are growing farther apart than ever. You would wait for the negroes to render themselves more worthy of political rights-—and they are about to sink perhaps beneath the level of slavery. You would wait for the Southern planters to become accustomed to the idea of equality—and they are about to be confirmed in the doctrine of arbitrary power. You would wait for the differences to be
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=