On the record
Who believes that we can admit this little island from the mid-Atlantic, a third of the way over to Africa, and then reject nearer and more valuable islands when they come?
Said by
Whitelaw Reid
Source
gutenberg.orgWhitelaw Reid: “Who believes that we can admit this little island from the mid-Atlantic, a third of the way over to Africa, and then…”
Editor's note · Context
Reid questions the logic of admitting distant islands while rejecting closer, more valuable ones, emphasizing the inconsistency in policy.
Share
More from Whitelaw Reid
They should strive for distinction by economy, by industry, by sobriety, by patient perseverance in well-doing, by constant improvement of religious instruction, and by the constant practice of Christian virtues.
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.
And it is both natural and right that colored Americans, entitled to the rights of citizens, should claim their exercise.
It is my firm conviction, that suffrage is not only the best security for freedom, but the most potent agent of amelioration and civilization.