On the record
To us, all this talk of defeated traitors about the humiliation of not being immediately reinvested with political rights in the Government they tried to destroy, seems very absurd bluster.
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Whitelaw Reid
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gutenberg.orgWhitelaw Reid: “To us, all this talk of defeated traitors about the humiliation of not being immediately reinvested with political…”
Editor's note · Context
Reid dismisses Southern claims of humiliation regarding their political rights post-war as exaggerated.
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And it is both natural and right that colored Americans, entitled to the rights of citizens, should claim their exercise.
Our national experience has demonstrated that public order reposes most securely on the broad base of universal 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.
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.