Whitelaw Reid: “I believe the right of the black man to freedom, and security for freedom, as a result of the war, to be incontestible.”

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.

It is my firm conviction, that suffrage is not only the best security for freedom, but the most potent agent of amelioration and civilization.

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.