Year: 1870


CHIEF,JUSTICE CHASE AND THE NEGROES.
LETTER TO THE CoLoRED MEN OF CINCINNATI


CONGRATULATIONS AND ADyICE-UNIYER-


SAL AMNESTY.


A committee of cOlored citizens in Cincin-
nlti invited Chief-Justice Chase to attend the
celebration of the adoption of the XVIII
Amendment, which is to be held in that city
tomorrow. His answer is in substance as fol-
lows


WASHINGTON, d. c.. March 80 1870.


Accept my thanks for the invitation rendered on
behalf Of the colored people of Cincinnati TO attend
the celebration. My duties viii not permit me to be
present except by good will and wishes. Almost
quarter Of century has passed since some of you
probably heard me declare MAY, 1S45l that all
legal distinctions between individuals of
the same country, founded on any
such circumstances as origin and the like,
are hostile to the genius of institutions, and in
compatible with the true theory of American hberty
that true Democracy makes no inquiry about the
color of the skin, or the place of nativity, or any
other similar circumstances condition; and that
the exclusion of the coored people as body from the
elective franchise is incompatible with true Demo-
cratic principles congratulate you that these prin
oigles have been at length made part of the SUI
pIeme law of the land. Many, no doubt, would have
been glad as should have been, if the great work
oOnsummated by the ratification of the Fifteenth
Amendment could have been accomplished, through
the States 10y the amendment of the State Consitu-
tons but the delays and uncertainties inseparabe
f1om that mode of proceeding seemed TO necessltate
The course actually adopted. Nor does the amend
msnt impair the real rights of any State. 1t
leaves the whole regulation of suffrage to the
people of each State subject only to the fundamental


law that the right of citizen to vote shall be de-
MED OF abridged account of race, color or preYl-
ous 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
gwen for legislation by Congress. But the best vim
dcatOn Of the wisdom as wel as the justice of the
Amendment must be found in the conduct OF the large
class Of citizens whom you represent. On the occa-
sion 70 which have referred, yentured to say that
the best way to insure the peaceful dwelling together
OF the different races is the cordial reciprocaton OF
benefits, and not the mutual infction of injuries
cannot give you better counsel than offered
then. Go forward, having perfect faith in your
own manhood, in Gods providence, adding to
your faith virtue and to virtue, knowl-
edge; and to knowledge patience; and to
palsnca temperance; and to temperance,
bSo.heIly kindness and to brotherly kindness,
charity" Why not signalize your rejoicings
IN The rights secured under the Fifteenth Amend
reat by urging upon Congress the prompt removal
OF al political disabilities imposed upon our fellow
citlzcns By the Fourteenth Amendment, so that
throughUnyersal Suffrage and Universal Amnesty,
peace. goodwill and prosperity may be
established throughout our countryi Every
good man must rejoice in the progress which
the coloNed citizens Of the United States have made
N edueation IN religious culture and in the general
improvement q their condition Every good man
must earnestly desire their continued and acceler


atei progress in the same direction; all public
and private interests will be promoted by it,
ana II will insure at no distant day the cordial
recolnitiOn of their rights, even from those
of ther fellow-citizens who have most earnestly
opposed them. No man can now be found who would
r'otore slavery. few years hence, if the colored
men wise, it viii be impossible to find aman who
WI avow himself in favor Of denying or abridging
your flght 10 vote S. p. CHASE.