Whitelaw Reid: “Now, sir, there are foolish fellows among them, who, since they have been made free, want to rise from that sphere to…”

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

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.

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.