Political Quotes

On the record
The American plenipotentiaries were driven to choose between abandonment of the negotiations and abandonment of their instructions.
Said by
Charles Sumner
Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

Sumner describes the difficult choices faced by American negotiators during a tense diplomatic situation.

Share

More from Charles Sumner

Their existence is a disgrace to civilization; for it implies the common consent of nations to the Arbitrament of War, as regulated by these laws.

gutenberg.org

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.

gutenberg.org

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…

gutenberg.org

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.

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation