Political Quotes

Charles Sumner: “An American citizen, with every office wide open to his honorable ambition, in whom are all the great possibilities of…”

On the record
An American citizen, with every office wide open to his honorable ambition, in whom are all the great possibilities of our Republic, who may be anything according to merit, is exposed to a scourge which descends upon the soul as the scourge of Slavery descended upon the flesh.
Said by
Charles Sumner
Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

Sumner describes the paradox of an American citizen facing discrimination akin to slavery.

Share

More from Charles Sumner

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

gutenberg.org

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

gutenberg.org

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

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation