Whitelaw Reid: “And it is both natural and right that colored Americans, entitled to the rights of citizens, should claim their…”

It has proved, also, that universal suffrage is the surest guarantee and most powerful stimulus of individual, social and political progress.

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.

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