On the record
We will do them good and not harm, if we may, all the days of our life; but, please God, we will not divide this Republic, the heritage of our fathers, among them.
Said by
Whitelaw Reid
Source
gutenberg.orgWhitelaw Reid: “We will do them good and not harm, if we may, all the days of our life; but, please God, we will not divide this…”
Editor's note · Context
Reid asserts a commitment to the Republic while rejecting the idea of dividing it among new territories.
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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.
And it is both natural and right that colored Americans, entitled to the rights of citizens, should claim their exercise.
May it not prove, moreover, in that work of reorganization, which now engages the thoughts of all patriotic men, that universal suffrage is the best reconciler of the most comprehensive lenity with the most perfect public security and the…
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.