The decent and reputable citizens of the North who neglected their own civic duties grew hilarious over the exaggerated importance with which the Negro regarded the franchise.
W.E.B. Du Bois: “The decent and reputable citizens of the North who neglected their own civic duties grew hilarious over the exaggerated…”
Editor's note · Context
Du Bois criticizes Northern citizens who, while neglecting their own civic responsibilities, mocked Black Americans' earnest regard for the franchise.
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Around us the history of the land has centred for thrice a hundred years; out of the nation’s heart we have called all that was best to throttle and subdue all that was worst; fire and blood, prayer and sacrifice, have billowed over this…
Let the ears of a guilty people tingle with truth, and seventy millions sigh for the righteousness which exalteth nations, in this drear day when human brotherhood is mockery and a snare.
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