New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-19
THE CGLoRgD RACE.
InpOrtapt and Remark able xsetter from
Chief Jusaice Chase.


Chief Jusiiee Chase.
The following letter from Judge Chase has
been received by the Committee On Cores
pondence of the colored citizens OF Cincin.
natl, answering al invitation to join them
in celebrating tie ratification ofthe fifteenth
amendment:
WASHINGTON, March 80.
GENTLEMEN: Accept my thanks tor the in
vitation you have rendered me in behalf OF
the colored people of Cincinnati. to attend
their celebration OF the ratification OF the
fifteenth amendment. Ny duties mere will
not permi. me to be present except by good
will and good wishes.
Almost 8 quarter of a century has passed
since some of you, probably, heard me de-
clare on the sixth of May, lS45, in en-
assembly composed chiefly of the people
whom you now represent, that all legal
distinctions between individuals Of the
same community, founded on any such
circums' anCes rs color, origin, and the Ike.
are hostile 10 the genius of our institutions,
and Incompatible with the true theory of
American liberty; that true democracy
makes no inquiry about the color of the
skin, or the place OF nativity, or any other
similar circumstance of condition; and that
the exclusion of the coloTed people, as a
body, from the elective franchise, is inCom-
patiDle with true democratic principles"
l congratulate you on the fact that these
principles, not then avOWed by me for the
first 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-
summated by the ratification OF the fifteenth
amendment could have been accomplished
by the States, through amendment OF State
constitutions and through appropriate State
legislation; bat the delays aud uncertainties,
prejudicial to every interest fnseparabla
IRON that mode OF proceeding, seemed 10
necessitate the course actually adopted.
Nor does the amendment impair the real
rights OF auy State. 1t leaves the whole
regulation of suffrage to the whole people
Of each State, subject only to the funda-
mental law, that the right of no citizen
to vote shall be denied or abridged, on ac-
count of color, race or previous condition OF
servitude. 1t is to be hoped that each State
will so conform its constitution and laws TO
this fundamental law that no occasion may
be given to legislation by Congress.
But the best yindicstion of the wisdom as
we'll as Justice of the amendment must be
found in the conduct of that large CLASS Of
cltiZeDs whom you represent. On the occa-
sion to which | have referred, / ventured TO
say that 1.-The best way TO insure the peace
full dwelling together of the different races is
the cortial reciprocation of benefits, rot the
mutual infection of injuries; and | can not
now give You better counsel than | offered
then:' $50 forward, having perfect faith in
your own manhood, and in Goa's provi-
dence, adding to your faith, virtue; and to
virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, pa
tience; and to patience, temperance; al d to
temperance, brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly Kindness, charity"
Why not signaliZe your rejoicing in the
rights secured under the fifteenth amend
ment by urging upon Congress the prompt
removal of All political disabilities imposed
upon our fellow citizens by the fourteenth
amendment? so that through universal
Suffrage aud universal amnesty, peace, good
viii and prosperity may be established
throughout our country.
Every good man must rejoice in the pro
gress which the col0red citizens OF the
United States have made in education, in
religious culture, and in the general i'm
proYenent of their condition. Every good
man must earnestly desire their continued
and accelerated progress in the same direc
tion. All public and private interests will be
promoted by il; and it will insure, al no dis.
tant day, cordial recognition of their rights
even from those of their fellow-citzens who
have most earnestly opposed them.
No man can now be found who would re-
store slavery; q few years hence, ii the col
ored men are wise, it will be impossible to
find man VINO will avow himself in favor Of
denying or abridging their right to vote.
S. P. CHASE.
Messrs. Peter H. Clark, ETC., committee.