Whitelaw Reid: “We feel confident that the President will not yield any more ground to them, if indeed he does not withdraw from them…”

It has proved, also, that universal suffrage is the surest guarantee and most powerful stimulus of individual, social and political progress.

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.

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

It is my firm conviction, that suffrage is not only the best security for freedom, but the most potent agent of amelioration and civilization.