Whitelaw Reid: “How often in the history of the world has barbarism been replaced by civilization without bloodshed?”

They should persist in this claim respectfully, but firmly, taking care to bring no discredit upon it by their own action.

It has proved, also, that universal suffrage is the surest guarantee and most powerful stimulus of individual, social and political progress.

And it is both natural and right that colored Americans, entitled to the rights of citizens, should claim their exercise.

He who has that right will usually respect himself more, be more respected, perform more, and more productive work, and do more to increase the wealth and welfare of the community, than he who has it not.