Whitelaw Reid: “We may as well, here and now, keep our feet on solid ground, and deal with facts as they are.”

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

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.

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.