The first is a heavenly sentiment, from God: the other is a device of this world.
Charles Sumner
The Public Record
Charles Sumner was an American lawyer and statesman who represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate from 1851 until his death in 1874. Before and during the American Civil War, he was a leading American advocate for the abolition of slavery, and after the war he was a key figure in the Reconstruction era, during which he and other Radical Republicans successfully fought to end slavery and ensure basic rights for Black Americans. He continued advocating for racial equality until his death, lobbying in his final days for a civil rights bill that served as a model for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Historians credit Sumner with coining the phrase "equality before the law," which he first used as part of an early attempt to integrate Boston's public school system.
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Far above any flickering light or battle-lantern of party is the everlasting sun of Truth, in whose beams are the duties of men.
It applies an arrogant and unrelenting ostracism to all who express themselves against Slavery.
This will be the FREEDOM POWER, whose single object will be to resist the SLAVE POWER.
It is clear that the only question of present practical interest arises from the usurpations of the Slave Power and the efforts to extend Slavery.
It is true, doubtless, that there are various races of men; but there is but one great Human Family, in which Caucasian, Ethiopian, Chinese, and Indian are all brothers, children of one Father, and heirs to one happiness.
Out of this pernicious prejudice have proceeded that persecution and neglect which are the too frequent lot of the world's pioneers.
More precious far at that moment the consolation that he had labored for his fellow-men, and the joyous confidence that all his cares had helped the Progress of his race!
The most distant are not without a present influence on our daily lives.
Nor should we be too impatient to witness the fulfilment of our aspirations.
Let loyalty to one man be exchanged for Love to Man.
At Baltimore the delegation of the most important State in the Union, known to be in favor of the Wilmot Proviso, was refused admission to the Convention.
They are but leaders of the two contending factions into which the Slave Power is divided.
Rather would I arouse you to renewed and incessant exertion.
I agree with the Convention in the importance of the new organization; nor do I think there are many candid persons, recognizing morals as the soul of all true politics, who will hesitate in this conclusion.
Without yielding to any of these extreme views with regard to the mischiefs or the benefits of party, all should agree that the only true and legitimate object of such an association is to uphold, advance, and develop certain principles…
But so long as War exists as an Institution this terrible inconsistency must appear.
Controlled by such a code, employing such representatives, sustained by such agencies, animated by such Furies, and producing such fruits of tears and bitterness, it must be open to question.
Again I repeat, so long as the War System prevails under the sanction of International Law, these painful incongruities will be apparent.
They belong to a system so essentially irrational, that all the admitted virtues of many of its agents cannot save it from judgment.
According to recent calculations, its annual cost is not less than a thousand millions of dollars.
Endeavor, for a moment, by comparison with other interests, to grapple with this sum.
It is larger than the entire profit of all the commerce and manufactures of the world.
Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.
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