608 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



to what he is unfit to use. Our own best 

 rights have been acquired successively. I can- 

 not, therefore, think it just or safe to grant 

 at once to the negro all the privileges which 

 we ourselves have acquired by long struggles. 

 History teaches us what terrible reactions 

 have followed too extensive and too rapid 

 changes. Let us beware of granting too much 

 to the negro race in the beginning, lest it be- 

 come necessary hereafter to deprive them of 

 some of the privileges which they may use 

 to their own and our detriment. All this I 

 urge with reference to the pure blacks of the 

 South. As to the half-breeds, especially in the 

 Northern States, I have already stated it to be 

 my opinion that their very existence is likely 

 to be only transient, and that all legislation 

 with reference to them should be regulated 

 with this view, and so ordained as to accelerate 

 their disappearance from the Northern States. 



Let me now sum up my answer to some of 

 your direct questions. 



1st. Is it probable that the African race 

 will be a persistent race in this country, or 

 will it be absorbed, diluted, and finally effaced 

 by the white race ? 



I beheve it will continue in the Southern 

 States, and I hope it may gradually die out at 



