Archibald Henry Grimké: “Never before in the Government had freedom touched so high a level.”

During those dark years the blacks were much more sinned against than sinning.

It is true examples of disinterested benevolence and individual sacrifices are numerous, particularly in the Southern States; but no systematic, vigorous, and successful measures have been made to overthrow this fabric of oppression.

It should make this a day of fasting and prayer, not of boisterous merriment and idle pageantry--a day of great lamentation, not of congratulatory joy.

I was too proud to beg, and ashamed to borrow.