ssible than to
blend right with wrong. The inequality exists in nature, as
indubitably as the varied magnitudes of the stars. And the
characteristics of the various savage races differ as widely as their
varied physiognomy. There is no equality among them, mental or
physical,--not even equality of degradation. The gigantic Patagonian,
and the dwarfish Laplander; the wild Feejeeian, and docile Guinea
Negro; the stolid Indian, and ant-like plodder of teeming India,--are
but the outward symbols of that contrariety of moral, or rather
immoral existence which is the fate of barbarism. They have no
equality of beauty nor ugliness, leanness nor obesity, vice nor
virtue, but varying differences, such as the spontaneous growth of
uncultured nature in different climes exhibits in the vegetable and
lower orders of the animal creation. What a contrast is this to
that trained, drilled conformation to the order and proper
conventionalities of civilized life, which our free schools, free
press, social rites, laws, and customs impose.

QUIBBLE OF THE SOPHIST.--TAKING THE EXCEPTION FOR THE RULE.

And here comes the quibble of the sophist, who singles out instances
of law violated in civilized communities, and holds them up as the
criterion by which to judge civilization, and triumphantly exclaims,
Lo! the fruits of civilization--of that civilization which arrogates
to itself the right to enslave mankind! But this is merely a bare
perversion of truth. He deceives no one so much as himself, when he
imagines the world will take the _exception_ for the RULE of
civilization, or make it the pretext to sustain barbarism.

THE SUPREMACY OF MIND OVER MATTER.

It is safe to assert that right holds a just and hereditary control
over wrong. _Veritas vincit._ Justice and truth go hand in hand.
Barbarism must bow before the genius of civilization. And what is not
found in international law, nor suppressed by it, nor dictated by the
commercial rivalries of nations, nor the zealous diplomacy of kings,
will yet continue as it ever has, to recognize the power of mind over
matter, of reason over passion, of intellect over animal existence;
and the dominion and supremacy of written constitutions over citizens,
communities, States, and empires. The right of government in civilized
States more than suggests the right and supremacy of civilization over
barbarism. But the right of mind over matter, of intellect over mere
animal life, of reason over pa