Whitelaw Reid: “Stand firm in the place where Providence has put you, and do the duty a just responsibility for your own past acts…”

They should persist in this claim respectfully, but firmly, taking care to bring no discredit upon it by their own action.

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.

Ordinarily the simple performance of duty is so blessed of God, that men who live in the doing of it, are the best off, in all respects, even in this world.

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