Whitelaw Reid: “Bound by the strong ligament of a common tongue, they will never foster the subtle enmity to national unity that lurks…”

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.

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

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.