Charles Sumner: “Prisoners long immured in a dungeon are sometimes blinded, as they…”

On the record

Prisoners long immured in a dungeon are sometimes blinded, as they come forth into day; but this is no reason for continued imprisonment.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

Sumner uses the metaphor of prisoners emerging from darkness to argue against the continued oppression of marginalized groups.

More from Charles Sumner

Working-men of Europe, desire abolition of war, XVIII. 236.

Women’s National League, petition of, for universal emancipation, X. 300.

The only Constitutional party and party of freedom, VII. 38.

Consent of the governed necessary in forming new governments of, XII. 298.

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “Prisoners long immured in a dungeon are sometimes blinded, as they come forth into day; but this is no reason for…”