Charles Sumner: “Speech was with him at times a cat-o’-nine-tails, and woe to the…”

On the record

Speech was with him at times a cat-o’-nine-tails, and woe to the victim on whom the terrible lash descended!

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

Sumner used a vivid metaphor to illustrate the impact of his speech as a powerful weapon against opponents.

More from Charles Sumner

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

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

Sovereignty of, belongs to the people, XVI. 28.

Early testimony of the Church against, I. 59.

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “Speech was with him at times a cat-o’-nine-tails, and woe to the victim on whom the terrible lash descended!”