“shall be founded on the consent of the governed and the equality of all persons before the law.” Of this series of resolutions I will read two. “That the path of justice is also the path of peace; and that for the sake of peace it is better to obey the Constitution, and, in conformity with its requirements, in the performance of the guaranty, to reëstablish State governments on the consent of the governed and the equality of all persons before the law, to the end that the foundations thereof may be permanent, and that no loyal majorities may be again overthrown or ruled by any oligarchical class.” Then comes another resolution:-- “That considerations of expediency are in harmony with the requirements of the Constitution and the dictates of justice and reason, especially now, when colored soldiers have shown their military value; that, as their muskets are needed for the national defence against Rebels in the field, so are their ballots yet more needed against the subtle enemies of the Union at home; and that without their support at the ballot-box the cause of Human Rights and of the Union itself will be in constant peril.”[246] On the resolution reported by the Senator from Illinois for the admission of Louisiana without Equal Rights, I had the honor of moving the very proposition now in question, under date of February 25, 1865:-- “_Provided_, That this shall not take effect, except upon the fundamental condition _that within the State there shall be no denial of the electoral franchise or of any other rights on account of color or race, but all persons shall be equal before the law_.”[247] Here was the first motion in this Chamber for equality of suffrage as a measure of Reconstruction. I entitled it at the time “the corner-stone of Reconstruction.” But here, Sir, it was my misfortune to encounter the strenuous opposition of the Senator from Illinois. I allude to this with reluctance; I have not opened this debate; and I quote what I do now simply in reply to the Senator from Nevada. Replying on that occasion to the Senator from Illinois, I said:--