The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1870-04-18
wA.nrsoroS, March 30, 1870.

mcnt:
WAnisGroS, March 30, 1870.
GENTLEMEN Accept my thanks for
the invitation you have rendered me in be-
half of the colored people Of Cincinnati, to
attend their celebration Of the ratification
of the Fifteenth AmeDdment. My duties
here will not permit me to be present, eX
ccpt by good will and good wishes.
Almost quarter of u century has passed
since some of you, probably, heard me de-
clare on the 9Th of May, 1915, in an as
-cmby composed chiefly of the pe~ple
whom you now represent, that all legal
distinctions between individuals of the
same community founded on any such cir
cumstances ~ color, origin and the like,
are hottie t. the genius Of our institu-
tions, and incompatible with the true
theory Of American liberty; that true De-
nocracy makes no inquiry about the color
of the skin, or the place of nativity, or any
other similar circumstances of condition
and that the exclusion Of the colorcd pco-
pie, ~ a body, from the elective franchise
!. incompatible with true Democratic prin-
ciplcs.
/ congratulate you on the fact that these
principles, not then avowed by me for the
first time, nor ever since abandoned r
compromised. have been, NJ length, incor-
po-ant into the Constitution and made
part Of the supreme law Of tn. land
MANY. no doubt, have been glad, ~ ]
should have been, had the great work
contaminated by the ratification Of the
fifteenth Amendment, could have been
accomplished by the S,atc- through the
amendment Of the State Constitutions and
through appropriate State legislation but
TIC delay by uncertaintie,, prcJudicihl 70
every interest, inscperable, from that mode
Of proceeding. seemed g. necessitate the
course actually adopted. Nor doe, tie
Amendment impair the real rights 81 any
State. 1t lcayos the whole regulation of
.uiirageso the people Of each State, sub
iect only % the Fundamental law that the
night Of no citizen 90 vote shall be denied
or abridged. on account of color, race or
previous condition Of .oryiiudc. IL j. to
be hoped that each State will 20 conform
IL. Constitution aud law. 10 thi, iuuda-
mental law that no occasion may be given
for legislation by Congress.
Bat the best yindicstion of the wisdom
a. we'll a. justice of the Amendment must
De- found in the conduct Of that large
clas. of citizens whom you r"pre.ent. ON
the occasion 10 which | have referred, !
vcnturcd 10 say that ''thc best way g. In
sure the peaceful dwelling together u the
different races j. the cordial rcciprocation
Of the benefits, not the mutual infection OF
injuries; and can not nos give YOU bet
ter counscl than | offered then. % Tor
ward, having perfect faith IN your own
manhood, aud in God. providence, add
ing To- Your faith virtue; and 90 virtue,
knowledge; and u knowledge, patience;
and 10 patience, tempcraucei ana TO tom
perancr, brotheriy kindness ana 10
bro,herly kindness, charity
Why no, signhlize your rejoicing IN the
right secured under the Fifteenth Amend
ment, by urging upon Congress tbe
prompt removal of all political disabilities
imposed upon our frllow-citizcns by the
Fourteenth Amendment? 30 that,
through universal suffrage and urivcrst
amnesty, peace, good will and prosperity
may be- established throughout our country,
Every good mnu must rejoice IN thcpro-
grcss which ,he colorcd citizens Of ia.
United States have made In education. I'm
religious culture, and in the general i'm
prOvemcnt of their condition. Every
good man must earnestly desire their con-
iinuel and accelerated progrrs, in the
same direction Al public aud all pri-
vatc interests will be promoted b. it;
and il will insure, AZ no distant day cor
dial recognition Of their right, even from
those Of their fellow citizens who have
most oare,tly opposed them.
No man can now be found who would
restore slavery Il few years hence, II the
colorcd men are wise, il will be impossible
10 find man who will avow himself ia
in favor Of denying or abridging their
right 70 vote.
Very respectfully yours.
= L CHASE