Black leaders must continue the march toward accurate representation in higher office, said a Boston University Law School alumnus who was elected the first black U.S. senator in 1967 and represented the commonwealth for 12 years last night in a Massachusetts Historical Society meeting.

Edward Brooke, a 1948 graduate who also became the first black attorney general to serve any state when he was appointed to the post in Massachusetts in 1962, said he is “very proud” of Gov. Deval Patrick’s victory in the 2006 election.

“The torch must be passed from generation to generation for America to achieve its full promise,” he said.

Brooke railed against his party’s policies in the war in Iraq but said he has never been ashamed to be a Republican. He said he disapproves of the party’s recent choices and stressed the 2008 presidential election will play a huge role in shaping the world for a long time to come, telling the audience it will be “the most important election you will ever vote in.”

“If the course is illegal and immoral, don’t stay the course — change the course,” he said.

He stopped short of endorsing a candidate, saying only he wants a leader who “understands the issues.”

“Get the best person for president,” he said. “Don’t choose faces with a white woman and a black man.”

Cathy Sadow, whose husband served as Brooke’s press secretary when he was attorney general, said she read Brooke’s autobiography published this year, which details many of the topics he outlined last night.

“[It] was very interesting and introspective,” she said. “There was so much in it I had forgotten happened.”

“I thought he was a fascinating man,” said College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Paul Busco, who recently lost a campaign for Student Union president. “There are lots of lessons we can learn from him.”