Whitelaw Reid: “Above all, we must give and enforce justice; and for the rest, as far as possible, leave them alone.”

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 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.

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

Our national experience has demonstrated that public order reposes most securely on the broad base of universal suffrage.