They held--and I am sure the best friends of the principle will thank them for holding--that an honest resort to Arbitration must come before war, to avert its horrors, not after war, to escape its consequences.
Reid argues that arbitration should be pursued before war to prevent its devastating consequences, rather than as a post-war remedy.
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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.
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.
They should persist in this claim respectfully, but firmly, taking care to bring no discredit upon it by their own action.