Charles Sumner: “I know not, Sir, why my position on this question should justify the…”

On the record

I know not, Sir, why my position on this question should justify the personalities which the Senator from Vermont considers so essential to debate.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

Sumner questions the need for personal attacks in political debate, advocating for a more respectful discourse.

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.

His loyalty to the Declaration of Independence, XIX. 317.

Slavery and the: speech in New York, XI. 433.

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “I know not, Sir, why my position on this question should justify the personalities which the Senator from Vermont…”