They had enough originally to gain position; they have not enough left now to retain it; and it waits the grasping hand of the coming parvenues.
Whitelaw Reid: “They had enough originally to gain position; they have not enough left now to retain it; and it waits the grasping hand…”
Editor's note · Context
Reid discusses the shift in social power from established families to newcomers in the South.
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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.
In this way they will surely overcome unjust hostility, and convince even the most prejudiced that the denial to them of any right which citizens may properly exercise is equally unwise and wrong.
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.