Whitelaw Reid: “And while your enemies scatter these predictions, many who are not your enemies fear their fulfillment.”

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.

They should persist in this claim respectfully, but firmly, taking care to bring no discredit upon it by their own action.

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.

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.