The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-04-21
rfrro,h nv. Chaso,
WAsufNaroN. Nfarch 3O I,

- N VI ht
Letter, from nv. oha.e. II
WAsuNoroN, March 80, 1870.
GENTLEMEN: Accept my thanks for the
invitation you have rendered me, in be.
half of tho colored people of Cincinnati,
to attend their celebration Of the ratifica-
ton of tho fifteenth amendment. NV
duties here will not permit me to be
present, except by good will and good
wishes.
Almost u quarter OF century has
passed since some of you, probably,
i.eard mo declare, OH the 9th Of May,
1845, in On assembly composed chiefly Of
the people whom you now represent, TINT
all legal distinctions between individuals
of tho same community founded on any
such circumstances MS color, origin, and
the like, are hostile to tho genius of our
institutions. and incompatible with the
true theory of American liberty; "thut
true democracy makes no inquiry about
the color of the skin, or the place of ma
tivity, or any other similar circumstance
of condition.; and that the exclusion of
the colored people as n body from the
elective franchise is incompatible with
true democratic principles"
congratulate you on tho fact TINT
these principles, not then avowed by me
| for the first time, nor ever since abnn-
doned or compromised, have been ut
length incorporated iuto the Constitu-
ton and made part of tho supreme luw
Of the lnnd.
Many. no doubt, would have been glad,
MS I should have been. if the great work
consummated by the ratification of the
fifteenth amendment could have been ac-
complished by the States through amend
ments of State Constitutions and through
appropriate State legislation; but the de-
lays and uncertainties. prejudical to every
interest, inscparablo from that mode of
proceeding seemed to necessitate the
course actually adopted. Nor does the
amendment impair the real rights of any
State. 1t leaves tho 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 previous condition of
servitude. It is to be hoped that each
State will 80 conform its constitution and
laws to this fundamental law that no oc-
casion may be given to legislation by
Congress.
But the best vindication of the wisdom
rs we'll as justice of the amendment m ust
be found in the condnct of that large
class OF citizens whom You represent.
On the occasion to which have referred.
venturcd to sny that "the best way to
insure the peaceful dwelling together OF
the different races is the cordial recpro-
cation Of benefits, not tho mutual jnflic-
ton Of injuries;" and cannot now give
you better counsel than offered then
'Go forward. having perfect faith in
your manhood aud in Gods providence,
adding to your fnith virtue, aud to vir-
tue, knowledge; and to knowledge, pa.
tience; and to patience, temperance; and
to temperance, brotherly kindness; aud
to brotherly kindness, charity"
Why not sgnalize yonr rejoicing in
the rights securcd under the fifteenth
amendment. by urging upon Congress
the prompt removal of all political dis
abilities imposed upon onr fellow citizens
by the fourteenth amendment? SO that
through universal suffrage and universal
amnesty, peace. good will and prosperity
may be established throughout oul
country.
Every good man must rejoice in The
progress which the colored citizens Of
the United States have made in educa
ton, in religious culture, and in the
general Improvement of their condition
Every good man must earnestly desir.
their continued and accelerated progress
in the same direction. All public and III
private interests will be promoted by it
and it will insure, at no distant day, cor
dial recognition of their rights even
from those Of their fellow citizens 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 impossi
BILE to find man who will avow himsel
in favor of denying or abridging theil
right to vote. Very respectfully yours,
S. P. CHASE.
Messrs. PETER II. CLARKE, &c., Com
mittee.
On THE SUBJECT OF VoTINa. bill, ;
says the Washington correspondent o.
the Baltimore Gazette, sis now pending
in the House, which shows conclusively
tha deaion to p1oco tho ul,ola orhiaot ri