The demon of Caste follows the demon of Slavery.

This suffrage is needed for the security of the colored people, for the stability of the local government, and for the strength of the Union.

Without it there is nothing but insecurity for the colored people, instability for the local government, and weakness for the Union, involving of course the national credit.

Without it the Rebellion will break forth under a new alias, unarmed it may be, but with white votes to take possession of the local government and wield it at will, whether at home or in the national councils.

If it be said that the colored people are unfit, then do I show that they are more fit than their recent masters, or than the “poor whites.” They have been loyal always; and who is he, that, under any pretence, exalts the prejudices of the…

Their suffrage is now needed,--more even than you ever needed their muskets or sabres.

In similar spirit, we, too, must call a new ballot into existence to redress the tyranny that refuses justice to the colored race.

The same national authority that destroyed Slavery must see that this other pretension is not permitted to survive; nor is there any doubt that the authority which destroyed Slavery is competent to the kindred duty.

Each belongs to that great policy of justice through which alone can peace become permanent and immutable.

Nor may the Republic shirk this remaining service, without leaving Emancipation unfinished and the early promises of the Fathers unfulfilled.

Vain the gift of Liberty, if you surrender the rights of the freedman to be judged by recent assertors of property in man.

The infant must not be handed over to be suckled by the wolf; it must be carefully nursed by its parent; and since the Republic is parent of Emancipation, the Republic must nurse the immortal infant into maturity and strength.

The Republic at the beginning took up this great work: the Republic must finish what it began; and it cannot err, if, in anxious care, it holds nothing done so long as anything remains undone.

The Republic, with matchless energy, hurled forward victorious armies: the Republic must exact that “security for the future” without which this unparalleled war will have been waged in vain.

In making it an essential condition of restoration, we follow, first, the law of reason and of Nature, and, secondly, the Constitution, not only in its text, but in the light of the Declaration.

By reason and Nature there can be no denial of rights on account of color; and we can do nothing thus irrational and unnatural.

By the Constitution it is stipulated that “the United States shall guaranty to every State a republican form of government”; but the meaning of this guaranty must be found in the birthday Declaration of the Republic, which is the…

Beyond all question, the United States, when called to enforce the guaranty, must insist on the equality of all before the law, and the consent of the governed.

Property in man is abandoned; but they now insist that the freedman shall not enjoy political rights.

All who set themselves against Equality will be overborne; for it is the cause of Humanity.

Not the rich and proud, but the poor and lowly, will be the favorites of an enfranchised Republic.

Then will the Republic be all that heart can desire or imagination paint,--“supremely lovely and serenely great, majestic mother” of a free, happy, and united people, with Slavery and all its tyranny beaten down under foot, so that no man…

In this great victory death is swallowed up, and before us is the vision of the Republic performing all that was promised.

Mourn not the dead, but rejoice in his life and example.

Rejoice, as you point to this child of the people, who was lifted so high that Republican Institutions became manifest in him.