urged of all invidious distinctions among
their citizens. As the fountain rises no higher than its source,
how can New York press on South Carolina a civilization she has
never tried herself. But say you, we can coerce the South to do
what we have no right to force on a loyal State. Has not each
State a right to amend her own Constitution and establish a
genuine republic within her own boundaries? "Let each man mend
one," says the old proverb, "and the world is mended." Let each
State bring its own Constitution into harmony with the Federal
Constitution, and the Union will be a republic.

We are soon to hold a convention to revise the Constitution of
the State of New York; and it is the duty of the people to insist
that it be so amended as to make all its citizens equal before
the law. Could the Empire State now take the lead in making
herself a genuine republic, all the States would, in time,
follow her example, and the problem of reconstruction be thus
settled to the satisfaction of all. Example is more powerful than
precept in all cases. Were our constitutions free from all class
distinctions, with what power our representatives could now press
their example on the Southern States. Is there anything more
rasping to a proud spirit than to be rebuked for shortcomings by
those who are themselves guilty of the grossest violations of law
and justice? Does the North think it absurd for its women to vote
and hold office, the South thinks the same of its negroes. Does
the North consider its women a part of the family to be
represented by the "white male citizen," so views the South her
negroes. And thus viewing them, the South has never taxed her
slaves; but our chivalry never fails to send its tax-gatherers to
the poorest widow that owns a homestead. Would you press
impartial suffrage on the South, recognize it first at home.
Would you have Congress do its duty in the coming session, let
the action of every State Legislature teach it what that duty is.
The work of this hour is a broader one than the reconstruction of
the Rebel States. It is the lifting of the entire nation into
higher ideas of justice and equality. It is the realization of
what the world has never yet seen, a GENUINE REPUBLIC.

As the ballot is the key to reconstruction, a right