On the record
We’ve been guilty of a great crime; we have reason to be thankful that we are treated as leniently as we are, and it becomes us to keep quiet, and hope for the best.
Said by
Whitelaw Reid
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gutenberg.orgWhitelaw Reid: “We’ve been guilty of a great crime; we have reason to be thankful that we are treated as leniently as we are, and it…”
Editor's note · Context
Reid reflects on the humility and acceptance of the South after the Civil War.
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It is my firm conviction, that suffrage is not only the best security for freedom, but the most potent agent of amelioration and civilization.
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.
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.
It has proved, also, that universal suffrage is the surest guarantee and most powerful stimulus of individual, social and political progress.