Hiram Rhodes Revels
Hiram Rhodes Revels
Hiram Rhodes Revelswas a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, a Republican politician, and college administrator. Born free in North Carolina, he later lived and worked in Ohio, where he voted before the Civil War. He became the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress when he was elected to the United States Senate to represent Mississippi in 1870 and 1871 during the Reconstruction era...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth27 September 1827
CountryUnited States of America
While it is desirable to build up the colored race, we must not sacrifice our best and purest white friends.
I am true to my own race. I wish to see all done that can be done for their encouragement, to assist them in acquiring property, in becoming intelligent, enlightened, useful, valuable citizens.
The people of the North owe to the colored race a deep obligation that is no easy matter to fulfill.
I find that the prejudice in this country to color is very great, and I sometimes fear that it is on the increase.
I stand today on this floor to appeal for protection from the strong arm of the government for her loyal children, irrespective of color and race, who are citizens of the southern states, and particularly of the State of Georgia.