The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-04-19

In response to an Invitation to attend rati-
fication celebration OF the Fifteenth Amendment
at Cincinnati, Chief Justice Chase has written q
letter, which is given below:
WASHINGTON, D, c., March 80, 1870.
Accept my thanks for the invitation rendered
on behalf Of The colored people OF CINCINNATI TO
nit me to be present except by good will and
wishes.
Almost q quarter Of q century has passed
since some OF you probably neara me Sa aeclare
individuals of the same country, founded on any
such circumstances as origin and the Ike, are
hostile to the genius OF our Institutions anu IN
compatible with the true theory OF American
liberty; that true democracy makes no inquiry
about the color Of the skin, or the place OF natlV-
ty, or any other similar circumstances OF con.
ltion and that the exclusion OF the co0red peo-
pic as n body from the elective franchises inc0m-
patible with true democratic principles"
congratulate you that these principles have
been at length made part Of the supreme law
of the land. Many, no doubt would nave Deen
glad, as should have been, II the grepe,t p,,..S w0fS
Amendment could have been accomplished
through the States, through the amendment OF
the State Constitutions; but the delays and un-
certantles prejudiclal TO every interest lnsepar-
able from that mode OF proceeding seemed to
neccsstate the course actually adopted. NOT
does the amendment impair the real rights OF
any State 1t leaves the whole regulation OF sui
frugc to the whole people OF each state, suo)ect
only to the fundamental law that the right
of no citizen to vote shall be denied or abridged
on account OF race, color or previous condition
OF serrltudc. 1t Is to be hoped that each State
will 80 conform Its constitution and laws to this
fundamental law that no occasion may be given
for legislation by Congress. But the best Slndl-
cation OF the wisdom as well as the justice OF tne
amendment must be found In the conauct OF the
large class OF citizens whom you represent: On
the occasion to which have referred, Ventured
to say that the best way to insure the peaceful
dwelling together Of the different races is the cor
dial rcciprOcaton of benefits, and not the mutual
lnflction OF injuries.
cannot now give you better counsel than 1
offered then. Go forward, having perfect falth
In your own manhood, in Coils Providence, add
ing to your falth virtue, and to virtue knowl-
edge, and to knowledge patience, and to pa
tlence temperance and to temperance oretnery
Kindness and to brotherly Kindness charity.
secured under the Fifteenth Amendment by urg-
ing upon Congress the prompt removal OF all po-
lticai disabilities imposed upon our 1elloW-cltl-
Zens by the Fourteenth Amendment, 80 tnat
through universal suffrage and universal amnes-
ty, peace, good will anu prosperity may be es.
tabIished throughout our country. Every good
man must rejoice In the progress which the col
Ored citizens OF the United States have made In
education, in religious culture, and In tile gen.
eral improvement OF their condition. Every
good man must earnestly desire their continued
and accelerated progress in the same direction;
oil public and private interests will be promoted
by it. and 1t will Insure at no distant day Inc 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 VINO
would restore slavery. few years hence, II the
colored men are wise, 1t will be impossible to
And man who will avow himself In favor Of de-
A'iAe " ''''NS'' '"e', s. p. CHASE.