These declarations, though in point of time before the ampler declarations of France, may be construed in the light of the latter. Evidently, they seek to declare the same principle. They are declarations of _Rights_; and the language employed, though general in character, is obviously limited to those matters within the design of a declaration of _Rights_. And permit me to say, it is a childish sophism to adduce any physical or mental inequality in argument against Equality of Rights. Obviously, men are not born equal in physical strength or in mental capacity, in beauty of form or health of body. Diversity or inequality in these respects is the law of creation. From this difference springs divine harmony. But this inequality is in no particular inconsistent with complete civil and political equality. The equality declared by our fathers in 1776, and made the fundamental law of Massachusetts in 1780, was _Equality before the Law_. 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. These are not vain words. 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 birth. 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. But the same anathema which smites and banishes nobility must also smite and banish every form of discrimination founded on birth,-- "Quamvis ille niger, quamvis tu candidus esses."[25] [25] Virgil, Eclog. II. 16. * * * * * EQUALITY BY LEGISLATION OF MASSACHUSETTS. The Legislature of Massachusetts, in entire harmony with the Constitution, has made no discrimination of race or color in the establishment of Common Schools.