ved and enforced in all the
States alike. The presumption was certainly in favor of that loyal
obedience to the organic law of the Republic without which Anarchy
has already begun its evil work. If however, by reason of infidelity
to the Constitutional provisions in some sections, if by violence in
resisting them in others, it be suggested that they should have been
drawn with greater circumspection, with a broader comprehension of all
the contingencies of the future, the fact yet remains that they are of
priceless value to the Government and the people. They have added
largely to the muniments of personal liberty; they have immeasurably
increased the just power of the National Government; they have exerted
a constantly growing force against the spirit that organized the
Rebellion; they have strengthened the bonds of the Union against every
form of danger which it has hitherto encountered.

Without the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments the Thirteenth would
have proved of little value to the oppressed race which it declared to
be free. In every step taken after the simple article of emancipation
was decreed, the Republicans who controlled the Government met with
obstacles from without and from within. There were thousands in their
own ranks who did not wish the negro advanced to citizenship; there
were tens of thousands who were unwilling to see him advanced to the
elective franchise. But happily there were hundreds of thousands who
plainly saw that without the rights of citizenship his freedom could
be maintained only in name, and that without the elective franchise his
citizenship would have no legitimate and (if the phrase be allowed) no
automatic protection.

To the brave men who led the Republican party to its duty and its
mission, who overcame the numbers of the opposition, who lifted their
associates from the slough of prejudice and led them out of the
darkness of tradition, let there be all honor and praise. They gave
hope to the hopeless, help to the helpless, liberty to the downtrodden.
They did more: they elevated the character and enlightened the
conscience of the oppressing race. The struggle is not yet ended, the
final battle is not yet fought; but complete victory sooner or later
is assured. The three great Amendments to the Constitution were bought
with a great price--even the blood of the slain--and they will
assuredly, in their letter and in their spirit, be vindicated and
enforced. Mr. Li