Whitelaw Reid: “But God, in His providence, permitted the madness of slavery-extension and slavery-domination to attempt the…”

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.

Let me repeat, that I think it best for all men—white men, black men, and brown men, if you make that distinction, that all men of proper age and unconvicted of crime, should have the right of suffrage.

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