Charles Sumner: “It is true, too true, alas! that our fathers were engaged in this…”

On the record

It is true, too true, alas! that our fathers were engaged in this traffic; but that is no apology for it.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

Sumner acknowledges the historical involvement of ancestors in slavery but argues it cannot be justified.

More from Charles Sumner

Early testimony of the Church against, I. 59.

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

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

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

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “It is true, too true, alas! that our fathers were engaged in this traffic; but that is no apology for it.”