The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-04-16
8jthu.eadi Disgath,
sArY,pD Az. =. APRIL 1s, 1870.
,..,a,. from Mr.. Chase.

Letter from Mr.. Chase. L =
Tho following letter ffom Chief Justice
Cu.sr was addressed to the Committee Of
Correspondence Of the eolorcd people o.
Cincinnati, who, preparing for their cele'
bratson OF the adoption Of the fifteenth
amendment, invited him to be present
The Chief Justice, in this rather striking
and concise epistie, while true to his op, pun.
ions 50 long publicly proclaimed is equa, ~
faithful TO his. broad and compfenens. .,'.
platform of universal amnesty. He corfect'!
states the nature of the fifteenth amendment
ana the extent to which It affects the laws
of States. We may rely upon 1t that 10
every case, in the South at least, where, Oh
rectly or hy inference, there Is an abr'oee.
uent OF the privileges Of the voter soush'
to he established by the amendment there
will be Federal interference. Ana tha' 10 q
Ching we should avoid by the frankest ana
clcarest practical acknowledgment OF the
fnI, force Of the amendment.
But we only intended to introduce che let.
ter to the reader:
- w ARLINGTON ihhICH ~, ActV.
"Gentlemcn,-Accept my thanks for the
invitation you have rendered me, IN behaii
of the colored people Of Cincinnati, to at
tend their celebration of the ratification OF
the fifteenth amendment. My duties here
win not permit me to DO present except by
good will and good wishes. 49,
"Almosta quarter OF century has passed
since some of you, probably, heard me de-
clare, on the 9Th OF May, 1916, in an assem-
Div composed chiefly Of the people whom
sou now represent, that illegal distinctions
between individuals Of the same community
founded on any such circumstance as color,
origin. and the like, are hostile TO the genus
Of onr institutions and incompatible with
the true theory Of American liberty 'that
frue democracy makes no inquiry about the
color of the skin. or the place OF nativity,
or any other similar circumstance OF condl-
tion and that the exclusion OF the colored
Deopie az a body from the elective franchise
Is Incompatible with true democratic prln-
ciples.'
'sI congratulate you on the fact that these
principles, not then avowed by me Tor the
frst time, nor ever since abandoned or com.
promised, have been at length Incorporated
into the Constitution and made part OF the
supreme law Of the land.
MANY, no doubt, would have been glad,
as should have been, If the great work con.
summarized by the ratification Of the tt-
teenth amendment could have been ac-
compiished by the States through amend
ment of State Constitutions and through APP
propriate State legislation; but the delays
and uncertainties, prejudicial to every lnte-
rest, inseparable from that mode OF pro-
ceedinp seemed to neceSsitate the course
actually adopted. Nor does the amend
ment impair the real rights Of any State. 1t
leaves the whole regulation of suffrage to
the whole people of each State, subject only
to the fundamental law, that the right OF
no citizen to vote shall be denied or
abridged on account Of color, race, or pre-
vious condition Of servitude. 1t IL TO pc
hoped that each State will so conform lts
Constitution and laws to this fundamental
law that no occasion may be given TO legls-
lation by Congress.
"But the best vindication Of the wisdom
a. well rs Justice of the amendment must he
found in the conduct of that large class OF
citizens whom you represent. On the occa-
sion to which have referred I ventured to
saw that 'the best way to insure the peace
full dwelling together OF the different races
is the cordial reciprocation OF dement's, not
the mutual infection Of injuries and cam
not now give you better council than | offer
ed then Go forward, having perfect ialth
in YOUR own manhood and in Gods proyi-
dcnce, adding to your faith, virtue !: and to
virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, pa
thence and to patience, temperance and to
temperance, brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly Kindness, charity"
"Why not signalize your rejoicing in
the rights secured under the fifteenth
amendment by urging upon Congress
the prompt removal of all political disabili-
ties imposed upon our fellow-citizens by
the fourteenth amendment so that, through
universal suffrage and universal amnesty,
peace. good will, and prosperity, may be
established throughout our country.
every good man must rejoice in the pro-
gress which the colored citizens of the
United States have made in education, in re-
ligious culture, and in the general improve
ment OF their condition. Every good man
must earnestly desire their continued and
accelerated progress in the same direction.
All public and all private interests will be
promoted by it; and it will insure, at no
distant day, cordial recognition OF their
rights even from those of their fellow-citjzens
who have most earnestly opposed them.
"No man can now be found who would
restore slavery; few years hence, If the
colored men are wise, it will be impossible
to find man who will avow himself in favor
Of denying or abridging their right to vote.
every respectfully yours,
"Messrs. Peter III. Clarke, &C., Com
mittee."