Natural or moral equality is, then, founded upon the constitution of human nature common to all men, who are born, grow, subsist, and die in the same manner.

The King, only a few years before, in defiance of Equality,--but in entire harmony with the conduct of the School Committee in Boston,--founded a military school for nobles only, carrying into education the distinction of Caste.

At such a period the Encyclopedia did well in uttering important and effective truth.

First appearing as a sentiment, they awake a noble impulse, filling the soul with generous sympathy, and encouraging to congenial effort.

Slowly recognized, they finally pass into a formula, to be acted upon, to be applied, to be defended in the concerns of life, as principles.

In the Constitutions of Government successively adopted, amid the throes of bloody struggle, the equality of men was constantly proclaimed.

Kings, nobles, and all distinctions of birth, passed away before this mighty and triumphant truth.

It ought to be the same for all, whether it protect or punish.

Article First places Equality among the natural, civil, and political rights of man.

It passed into other constitutions, and Napoleon, who so often trampled on the rights of Equality, dictated to the Poles the declaration, that all persons are equal before the law.

And permit me to say, it is a childish sophism to adduce any physical or mental inequality in argument against Equality of Rights.

But this inequality is in no particular inconsistent with complete civil and political equality.

Its object was to efface all political or civil distinctions, and to abolish all institutions founded upon birth.

All men are created equal," says the Declaration of Independence.

All men are born free and equal," says the Massachusetts Bill of Rights.

Within the sphere of their influence, no person can be created, no person can be born, with civil or political privileges not enjoyed equally by all his fellow-citizens; nor can any institution be established, recognizing distinction of…

Here is the Great Charter of every human being drawing vital breath upon this soil, whatever may be his condition, and whoever may be his parents.

He may be poor, weak, humble, or black,--he may be of Caucasian, Jewish, Indian, or Ethiopian race,--he may be of French, German, English, or Irish extraction; but before the Constitution of Massachusetts all these distinctions disappear.

He is not poor, weak, humble, or black; nor is he Caucasian, Jew, Indian, or Ethiopian; nor is he French, German, English, or Irish; he is a MAN, the equal of all his fellow-men.

He is one of the children of the State, which, like an impartial parent, regards all its offspring with an equal care.

To some it may justly allot higher duties, according to higher capacities; but it welcomes all to its equal hospitable board.

The State, imitating the divine justice, is no respecter of persons.

Here nobility cannot exist, because it is a privilege from birth.

Any such discrimination by the Laws would be unconstitutional and void.

Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.