On the record
He gathered his slaves together, told them that henceforth they might consider themselves free, and proposed a bargain for their services, if they were willing to remain at their old places.
Said by
Whitelaw Reid
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gutenberg.orgWhitelaw Reid: “He gathered his slaves together, told them that henceforth they might consider themselves free, and proposed a bargain…”
Editor's note · Context
Reid recounts the moment a plantation owner informs his slaves of their freedom and proposes a new arrangement.
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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.
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.