Part 38 (2/2)
They thrust the enfranchised African from their public tables--born beneath their own skies, a native of their own soil, a free citizen by their own Declaration of Independence; yet exclaim, in the face of this _black_ injustice--”Our people enjoy equal rights.” Alas! for Columbia's _sable sons!_ Where is their equality? On what footing do they stand with their white brethren? What value do they place upon the negro beyond his price in dollars and cents? Yet is he equal in the sight of Him who gave him a rational soul, and afforded him the means of attaining eternal life.
We are advocates for _equality of mind_--for a commonwealth of intellect; we earnestly hope for it, ardently pray for it, and we feel a confident belief in the possibility of our theory. We look forward to the day when honest labour will be made honourable; when he who serves, and he who commands, will rejoice in this freedom of soul together; when both master and servant will enjoy a reciprocal communion of mind, without lessening the respect due from the one to the other.
But equality of station is a dream--an error which is hourly contradicted by reality. As the world is at present const.i.tuted, such a state of things is impossible. The rich and the educated will never look upon the poor and ignorant as their equals; and the voice of the public, that is ever influenced by wealth and power, will bear them out in their decision.
The country is not yet in existence that can present us a better government and wiser inst.i.tutions than the British. Long may Canada recognise her rule, and rejoice in her sway! Should she ever be so unwise as to relinquish the privileges she enjoys under the sovereignty of the mother country, she may seek protection _nearer_ and _fare worse!_ The sorrows and trials that I experienced during my first eight years'
residence in Canada, have been more than counterbalanced by the remaining twelve of comfort and peace. I have long felt the deepest interest in her prosperity and improvement. I no longer regard myself as an alien on her sh.o.r.es, but her daughter by adoption,--the happy mother of Canadian children,--rejoicing in the warmth and hospitality of a Canadian Home!
May the blessing of G.o.d rest upon the land! and her people ever prosper under a religious, liberal, and free government!
For London.
A National Song.
”For London! for London! how oft has that cry From the blue waves of ocean been wafted on high, When the tar through the grey mist that mantled the tide, The white cliffs of England with rapture descried, And the sight of his country awoke in his heart Emotions no object save home can impart!
For London! for London! the home of the free, There's no part in the world, royal London, like thee!
”Old London! what ages have glided away, Since cradled in rushes thy infancy lay!
In thy rude huts of timber the proud wings lay furl'd Of a spirit whose power now o'ershadows the world, And the brave chiefs who built and defended those towers, Were the sires of this glorious old city of ours.
For London! for London! the home of the free, There's no city on earth, royal London, like thee!
”The Roman, the Saxon, the Norman, the Dane, Have in turn sway'd thy sceptre, thou queen of the main!
Their spirits though diverse, uniting made one, Of nations the n.o.blest beneath yon bright sun; With the genius of each, and the courage of all, No foeman dare plant hostile flag on thy wall.
For London! for London! the home of the free, There's no city on earth, royal London, like thee!
”Old Thames rolls his waters in pride at thy feet, And wafts to earth's confines thy riches and fleet; Thy temples and towers, like a crown on the wave, Are hail'd with a thrill of delight by the brave, When, returning triumphant from conquests afar, They wreathe round thy altars the trophies of war.
For London! for London! the home of the free, There's no part in the world, royal London, like thee!
”Oh, London! when we, who exulting behold Thy splendour and wealth, in the dust shall be cold, May sages, and heroes, and patriots unborn, Thy altars defend, and thy annals adorn!
May thy power be supreme on the land of the brave, The feeble to succour, the fallen to save, And the sons and the daughters now cradled by thee, Find no city on earth like the home of the free!”
<script>