Nothing, he thought, could exceed the indignity with which Congress had treated honorable Southern gentlemen elected to it in good faith by Southern constituencies, in refusing them the empty privilege of seats on the floor.
Reid condemns Congress for its disrespect towards Southern representatives elected by their constituencies.
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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.
They should strive for distinction by economy, by industry, by sobriety, by patient perseverance in well-doing, by constant improvement of religious instruction, and by the constant practice of Christian virtues.
It has proved, also, that universal suffrage is the surest guarantee and most powerful stimulus of individual, social and political progress.
They should persist in this claim respectfully, but firmly, taking care to bring no discredit upon it by their own action.