Whitelaw Reid: “They are not such material as, under ordinary circumstances, one would now choose for the duties of American…”

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

It has proved, also, that universal suffrage is the surest guarantee and most powerful stimulus of individual, social and political progress.

And it is both natural and right that colored Americans, entitled to the rights of citizens, should claim their exercise.

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.