The hard words are manifold as the passions and prejudices of men; but they generally end in the imputation of “fanaticism.” In such a cause I am willing to be called “fanatic,” or what you will; I care not for aspersions, nor shall I shrink before hard words, either here or elsewhere.
In this quote, Sumner expresses his willingness to accept criticism for his passionate advocacy for the antislavery cause.
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Out of this pernicious prejudice have proceeded that persecution and neglect which are the too frequent lot of the world's pioneers.
They belong to a system so essentially irrational, that all the admitted virtues of many of its agents cannot save it from judgment.
But so long as War exists as an Institution this terrible inconsistency must appear.
Again I repeat, so long as the War System prevails under the sanction of International Law, these painful incongruities will be apparent.
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