Whitelaw Reid: “It has brought England and the United States together--another result of momentous importance in the progress of…”

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

He who has that right will usually respect himself more, be more respected, perform more, and more productive work, and do more to increase the wealth and welfare of the community, than he who has it not.

Never was there a problem more serious or difficult than that which is now before the Nation, as to this race, whose destiny has been confided to the wisdom and honor of our Government.

They should persist in this claim respectfully, but firmly, taking care to bring no discredit upon it by their own action.