Charles Sumner

As a patriot citizen, anxious for the national welfare and renown, am I obliged to declare these convictions.

And has it come to this, that the President of the Great Republic, instead of carrying peace and good tidings to Africans commencing the experiment of self-government, should become to them an agent of terror?

That their author can be presented for reëlection to the Presidency, whose powers he has thus misused, shows a disheartening insensibility to public virtue.

That such things can be done by a President without indignant condemnation, loud and universal, shows a painful demoralization in the country.

I keep within the line of moderate statement, when I say, that, from the beginning of our Government, nothing in our foreign relations has been so absolutely indefensible.

Please bear this in mind; and when some apologist attempts to defend the taking of gifts, let him know that he must go still further, and show that the Presidency, with all its patronage, is a perquisite to be employed for the private…

But the case against the present incumbent is not only that while holding high office he accepted gifts from fellow-citizens, but subsequently appointed the gift-makers to office,--thus using the Presidency to pay off his own personal…

If not a form of bribery, it is kindred in nature,--and this has long been recognized, from the Bible down to our day.

Like nepotism, the taking of gifts by a public servant is condemned by history.

Nothing in Washington’s career has shone with more constant light than his refusal to confer office on his relations.

As he does, so will others do; and therefore must his example be such as to elevate the public service.

If the promptings of his inner nature fail, then must he feel the irresistible obligation of his position.

Nothing for self, but all for country and mankind, should be the rule of our President.

Nepotism is already condemned by history, and most justly; for it is obviously a form of self-seeking, hostile to purity of government, and strangely out of place in a Republic.

In voting for Horace Greeley you will not sustain nepotism, you will not sustain gift-taking and repayment by official favor, and you will not lend your sanction to the San Domingo machination, with its unconstitutional usurpations, its…

Not only by the logic of my life, but by constant speeches, was I bound to welcome those who placed themselves on this glorious platform.

For years I have sought to establish in the National Government the great principles of the Declaration of Independence, avowing always that when this was done nobody should surpass me in generosity towards former Rebels.

But it is not easy for me to be neutral,--certainly where wrong-doing is in question; nor is it my habit to shrink from responsibility.

But it is easy to see that a vote for such a candidate on such a reason was “to do evil that good might come,” which is forbidden in politics as in morals.

Long ago I declared, that, while recognizing party as an essential agency and convenience, I could not allow it to constrain my conscience against what seemed the requirements of public good.

Preferring Horace Greeley, I have no hesitation in assigning the reasons which lead me to this conclusion.

By the operation of our electoral system, and the superadded dictation of National Conventions, the choice is practically limited to President Grant and Horace Greeley; so that no preference for another can be made effective.

But nothing can I say which is not prompted by a sincere desire to serve my country, and especially to promote that era of good-will, when the assent of all shall be assured to the equal rights of all.

The great soul of the world is just,” and the sober second thought of the people of Massachusetts will, I doubt not, sustain you in the position you have taken in favor of Reform and Reconciliation, and therefore of the election of Greeley…

Above all, never vote for any man who is not true to you.