Charles Sumner: “They spoke of “persons,” “inhabitants,” “freemen,” or, better still…”

On the record

They spoke of “persons,” “inhabitants,” “freemen,” or, better still, “men,” without prefix of “white.” Color was not mentioned.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

Sumner emphasizes that many states used inclusive language in their constitutions regarding voting rights, avoiding racial distinctions.

More from Charles Sumner

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

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

Opening of United States courts to colored, XI. 389.

Contrary to Christianity, but upheld by the Church, I. 54, 58.

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “They spoke of “persons,” “inhabitants,” “freemen,” or, better still, “men,” without prefix of “white.” Color was not…”