I, Sir, am anxious to see universal amnesty; but with it must be asserted also universal justice.

Our colored fellow-citizens must be admitted to complete equality before the law.

In other words, everywhere, in everything regulated by law, they must be equal with all their fellow-citizens.

We celebrate an epoch in the history of mankind,--not only never to be forgotten, but to grow in grandeur as the world appreciates the elements of true greatness.

Too often commerce and conquest moved hand in hand, and the colony was incarnadined with blood.

A few conscientious Englishmen, in obedience to the monitor within, and that they might be free to worship God according to their own sense of duty, set sail for the unknown wilds of the North American continent.

This compact was not only foremost in time, it was also august in character, and worthy of perpetual example.

Undoubtedly these were the grandest words of government, with the largest promise, of any at that time uttered.

Theirs, indeed, were the ensigns of worldly power; but our Pilgrims had in themselves that inborn virtue which was more than all else besides, and their landing was an epoch.

Who in the imposing troop of worldly grandeur is now remembered but with indifference or contempt?

Theirs is a brightness which, breaking through all clouds, will shine forth with ever-increasing splendor.

Liberty, which we so much covet, is not a solitary plant.

Always by its side is Justice. (Applause.) Yet Justice is nothing but Right applied to human affairs.

Do not forget, I entreat you, that with the highest morality is the highest liberty.

Therefore do the Pilgrims in their beautiful example teach liberty, teach republican institutions,--as at an earlier day Socrates and Plato, in their lessons of wisdom, taught liberty and helped the idea of the republic.

If republican government has thus far failed in any experiment, as, perhaps, somewhere in Spanish America, it is because these lessons have been wanting; there have been no Pilgrims to teach the Moral Law.

I would, if I could, make their example a universal lesson, and stamp it upon the land. (Applause.) The conscience which directed them should be the guide for our public councils; the just and equal laws which they required should be…

Mortals, that would follow me, Love Virtue: she alone is free; She can teach ye how to climb Higher than the sphery chime: Or if Virtue feeble were, Heaven itself would stoop to her.

Then it was that I deemed it my duty to move this bill as an amendment, and you will remember the extended discussion that ensued,--how justice to the African race was contrasted with generosity to those who had struck at the life of the…

The necessity is manifest every day in the outrages to which the colored race are exposed, not only in travel and at hotels, but still more in the children of their homes, who are shut out from those schools where they ought to receive…

I know not, Sir, why my position on this question should justify the personalities which the Senator from Vermont considers so essential to debate.

I am an humble worker in this Chamber, and in this cause I have been laborious for years; but not on that account do I claim anything, nor do I make any pretence.

I represent humbly the sentiments of the people of Massachusetts, who have sent me here now for many years.

I know, too, his loyalty to this cause,--I do not doubt it; but I now appeal to that Senator to unite with me in speeding this great measure.

Let him join sincerely, with his large intelligence, to hasten this bill before the Senate and make it the law of the land; so would he become a benefactor to a much-oppressed people.