If anybody believes that now any word or act of conciliation, any forbearance on our part, any hesitation in exercise of the sternest Rights of War, will help us to victory or contribute to put down the Rebellion, let me not enter into that man’s counsels, for they can end in nothing but shame and disaster.
On the record
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gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
In this statement, Sumner expresses his belief that any hesitation in exercising military power will lead to failure in defeating the Rebellion.
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