The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-04-28
VOLUME 5---NO. ~:
Letter from Chief Justice Chase.
UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE AND UNIVERSAL All:

+ ~
The following letter was addressed to the
colored citizens Of Cincinnati by Chief Justice
Chase, In answer to sn invitation to be present
at their celebration of the ratification of the
Fifteenth Amendment :s. 81, ia -,
ze4. :. WASHINGTON, March 80, 1870;
/ Gentlemen: Accept my thanks fn the irvi=
tation you have rendered me, IN belaH OF the
colored people of Cincinnati, to attend their
celebration of the ratification of the fifteenth
amendment. My duties here will not permit
ME to be present, except by good will and good
wishes.
Almost quarter of a century has passed
since some Of you, probably, heard Inc declare,
ON the 9Th of May, 1845, in an assembly COM
posed chiefly of the people. whom you now
represent, that all legal distinctions between
individuals of the same community founded on
any such circumstances as color, origin, and the
like, are hostile to the genius of our institutions,
and incompatible with the true theory of Amer.
lean liberty; "that true democracy makes no
inquiry about the color of the skin, or the
place Of nativity, or any other similar circum.
stance of condition and that the exclusion of
the colored people as body from the elective
franchise is incompatible with true democratic
principles" -
congratulate you on the fact that these
principles, not then ayowed by me fox the first
time, nor ever since abandoned or compromised,
have been at length incorporated into the Com
stitution and made part Of the supreme law Of
the land. ii.1tv
Many, no doubt, would have been glad, asI
should have been, if the great work consummated
by the ratification of the fifteenth amendment
could have been accomplished by the States
through amendments of State Constitutions
and through appropriate State legislation |; but
the delays nduncertainties, prejudical to every
interest, inseparable from that mode of pro.
ceeding seemed to necessitate the course actual.
ly adopted. Nor does the amendment impair
the real rights of any State 1t leaves the
whole regulation Of suffrage to the whole }peo-
pie of each State, subject only to the funda-
mental law; that the right of no citizen to vote
shall be denied dor abridged on account OF color,
race, or previous condition of servitude. 1t is
to be hoped that each State will so conform it's
constitution and Laws to this fundamsntal Law
that no occasion may be given to Legislation by
Congress.
But the best vindication Of the wisdoiH IS
found in the conduct of that large class of CIT
izens whom you represent. On the occasion to
which have referred, yentured to say that
/ 1.-THE best way to insure the peaceful dwelling
together of the different races is the cordial
reciprocation of benefits, not the mutual infic-
ton of INJURIES" and I cannot now give you
better counsel than offered thenI go for
ward, having perfect faith in your nlathood
and in Gods providence, adding to your faith,
virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to
knowledge, patience; and to patience, temper
ance and to temperance, brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness, charity
Why not signalize your rejoicing in the
fights secured under the fifteenth amendment,
by urging upon Congress the prompt removal
of all political disabilities imposed upon our
fellow citizens by the fourteenth amendment9
so that, through universal suffrage and univef.
sal amnesty, peace, good will and prosperity
may be established throughout our couIdty.;sgs.
Every good man must rejoice in the progress
which the colored citizens of the Unitel States
have made Lii education, in religious culture,
and in the general improvement of their condi-
sion. Every good man must earnestly desire
their continued and accelerated progress in the
same direction. All public and all private in.
terests will be promoted by it, and twill insure
at no distant day, cordial recognition of their
rights even from those Of their fellow4itizehs
who have most earnestly opposed them. a4
No man can now be found who. wot,ld re.
store slavery; q few years hence, if. the tolored
men are wise, it will be impossible to find o
man who will avow himself in favor denying
or abridging their right to vote. o-sdfsf.;..s9.
!, Very respectfully yours, .>..-,.a.os,;.
81.