Whitelaw Reid: “Are they to be our wards, objects of our duty and our care; or are they to be our full partners?”

Our national experience has demonstrated that public order reposes most securely on the broad base of universal suffrage.

Never was there a problem more serious or difficult than that which is now before the Nation, as to this race, whose destiny has been confided to the wisdom and honor of our Government.

Ordinarily the simple performance of duty is so blessed of God, that men who live in the doing of it, are the best off, in all respects, even in this world.

In this way they will surely overcome unjust hostility, and convince even the most prejudiced that the denial to them of any right which citizens may properly exercise is equally unwise and wrong.