Whitelaw Reid: “Since when has it been statesmanship to shut our eyes to the interests of our own country, and patriotism to consider…”

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.

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.

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.

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