Whitelaw Reid: “There seemed no reason to doubt that during the war there had been an actual and very great disappearance of negroes.”

In this way they will surely overcome unjust hostility, and convince even the most prejudiced that the denial to them of any right which citizens may properly exercise is equally unwise and wrong.

Let me repeat, that I think it best for all men—white men, black men, and brown men, if you make that distinction, that all men of proper age and unconvicted of crime, should have the right of suffrage.

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.

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