Political Quotes

“Today commemorates one of the most significant events that has ever taken place in the history of this great country. One hundred thirty-four years ago today Congress emancipated over 3,000 slaves owned by residents of the District of Columbia. This city's slaves were the first to be freed in our country--9 months before President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863. Sometime in the early 1860's, while this Nation was embroiled in a civil war, a conversation took place between Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts and President Abraham Lincoln. Sumner asked the President, 'Mr. President, do you realize who is the largest slaveholder in the United States?' The President had to think, and the Senator said, 'It is you, Mr. President.' At the time there were over 3,000 slaves in the District of Columbia who were stuck in slavery and bondage and could be freed by an act of Congress. That conversation began a monumental epic in the history of this country.”