Such is the concurring authority of three statesmen orators, whose eloquent voices unite to warn against trusting the freedmen to their old masters.

It is not natural to suppose that people who have claimed property in their brethren, God’s children,--who have indulged that “wild and guilty fantasy that man can hold property in man,”--will become at once the kind and just legislators…

Even if they have made up their minds to Emancipation, they are, from inveterate habit and prejudice, incapable of justice to the colored race.

There is the President himself, who once charmed the country and the age by announcing himself the “Moses” of their redemption; and yet he now exerts all his mighty power against the establishment of safeguards without which there can be…

There is the Constitutional Amendment, already adopted by the people, which invests Congress with plenary powers to secure the abolition of Slavery,--ay, its “extirpation,” according to the promise of the Baltimore platform,--including the…

The distinction attempted between what are called civil rights and political rights is a modern invention.

Besides, if the elective franchise seem “appropriate” to assure the “extirpation” of Slavery, Congress has the same power to secure this right that it has to secure the right to sue and testify in courts, which it has already done.

Every argument, every reason, every consideration, by which you assert the power for the protection of colored persons in what are called civil rights, is equally strong for their protection in what are called political rights.

In each case you legislate to the same end,--that the freedman may be maintained in the liberty so tardily accorded; and the legislation is just as “appropriate” in one case as in the other.

Let it be declared that a State which disfranchises any portion of its citizens by a discrimination in its nature insurmountable, as in the case of color, cannot be considered a republican government.

The principle is obvious, and its practical adoption would ennoble the country and give to mankind a new definition of republican government.

Colored citizens, like white citizens, owe allegiance to the United States; therefore they may claim protection as an equivalent.

As you claim allegiance of colored citizens, you must accord protection.

And this protection must be in all the rights of citizens, civil and political.

If this has not been performed in times past, it was on account of the tyrannical influence of Slavery, which perverted our Government.

Vain are the victories of the war, if this influence continues to tyrannize.

Formerly the Constitution was interpreted always for Slavery.

I insist, that, from this time forward, it shall be interpreted always for Freedom.

This is the great victory of the war,--or rather, it is the crowning result of all the victories.

Had the Rebels prevailed, Slavery would have had voices everywhere, even in the Constitution itself.

But it is Liberty now that must have voices everywhere, and the greatest voice of all in the National Constitution and the laws made in pursuance thereof.

There is a cry against “Centralization,” “Consolidation,” “Imperialism,”--all of which are bad enough, when dedicated to any purpose of tyranny.

As the House of Representatives is renewed every two years, it is inconceivable that such a body, fresh from the people and promptly returning to the people, can become a Tyranny, especially when seeking safeguards for Human Rights.

A government inspired by Liberty is as wide apart from Tyranny as Heaven from Hell.

Such a centralization, such a consolidation,--ay, Sir, such an imperialism,--would be to the whole country a well-spring of security, prosperity, and renown.