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land from centre to circumference. But I am
to deal with the effect likely to be produced,
whatever may be the motive you have in
view.

In comparison with the question of Equal
Suffrage, that of "obtaining admission for our
children into the nearest school-house, and the
best school-house, in our respective neighbor-
hoods," is a very trifling one. It is a local af-
fair which can be attended to in those localities
where the grievance exists. You very truly
say, that "with few exceptions, we are de-
barred from equal school privileges, not by con-
stitutional exclusions, nor by statute, but in
glaring violation of the Constitution and of
the School Laws." But, sir, we are debarred
from the Right of Suffrage by "Constitutional
exclusion;" and it seems to me, that the pri-
mary work in which we should be engaged
with all our might, is the purging of our Con-
stitution from every pro-slavery stain which
rests upon it; we must seek to drive out of it
everything which tramples upon our manhood.
Achieve a position, so far as the ballot-box is
concerned, which will tell against the oppres-
sor. We need have no fears in relation to
that "decidedly more accessible" object to
which you call attention. Prejudice against
color, (as it is called,) in this State, will have no
organic Law from which to receive aid and
comfort. Perform the greater and more im-
portant work first, the less will follow in the
wake of the necessary effort.

You remark that you "do not propose this
education movement as a substitute for the
Suffrage movement." Certainly not; but
though not proposed as a substitute we submit
it to the sterling good sense of the writer of
that article, does not the suggestion, in view
of all the circumstances, come rather inoppor-
tunely? Is it not calculated to damage our
cause?

The relation I sustain to the Equal Suffrage
movement now in progress, compels me, in
duty to myself and the cause so near my heart,
to throw out these suggestions. And I trust
they will produce the intended effect. I agree

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