From the comments:
"The bitterness and hate created by the late civil strife has, in my opinion, been obliterated in this state, and would have long since been entirely obliterated, were it not for some unprincipled men who would keep alive the bitterness of the past, and inculcate a hatred between the races, in order that they may aggrandize themselves by office, and its emoluments, to control my people, the effect of which is to degrade them."
Hiram Rhodes Revels
First African American Senator
Minister
Republican"
