Whitelaw Reid: “Then a penalty must always be imposed upon a victorious nation for presuming to do a good act.”

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.

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.

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