The verdict of the people last November should be recognized without price or condition.
Charles Sumner
The Public Record
Charles Sumner was an American lawyer and statesman who represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate from 1851 until his death in 1874. Before and during the American Civil War, he was a leading American advocate for the abolition of slavery, and after the war he was a key figure in the Reconstruction era, during which he and other Radical Republicans successfully fought to end slavery and ensure basic rights for Black Americans. He continued advocating for racial equality until his death, lobbying in his final days for a civil rights bill that served as a model for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Historians credit Sumner with coining the phrase "equality before the law," which he first used as part of an early attempt to integrate Boston's public school system.
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Sumner wrote to members of the Legislature against any such sacrifice, insisting, that, with the manifest determination of the South, it could do no good, while plainly the laws should be maintained for the sake of Liberty.
But do not be deceived by that fatal advice which sees nothing but peace and security in the recent elections.
Let us give Government the means of procuring money at once, and put her credit on its legs.
I do not tremble at anything from our opponents, whoever they may be, but from our friends.
May we not look to have you speak once more for us,--as a statesman, not as a politician,--as a philanthropist, not as the representative of a prospective Cabinet?
God bless her, and God bless you, to whom under Him she owes her deliverance, and the country owes the turning of the balances against Slavery for all time to come.
As if to do something inconceivably repugnant to just principles, and especially obnoxious to the people of Massachusetts, it is proposed to despoil our colored fellow-citizens there of political franchises long time assured by the…
Just at the proper moment, not a moment too soon nor too late, you spoke a word which will help to clear the air.
He objected also to the clause that the war was “not prosecuted for any purpose of conquest or subjugation,”--on which he said, “I trust this war is prosecuted for the purpose of subjugating all rebels and traitors who are in arms against…
President, while the advantages of this proposed increase are all uncertain, there are disadvantages that are certain.
The commerce of the country cannot bear such constant change, especially in the direction proposed.
She makes no boast over her sister States, but the great Disposer and Adjuster of events has placed her in the forefront rank, in this great battle for the integrity of the nation and the existence of free institutions, and she accepts her…
It is clear, therefore, that there is no sanction under the Constitution for turning a national camp into a slave-pen, or for turning military officers into slave-hunters.
Other agencies, small and great, executive, legislative, and even judicial, are absorbed in a transcendent triune power, which, for the time, declares its absolute will, while holding alike the scales of justice and the sword of the…
But after that disaster to our arms, he was satisfied the time had come for a full exercise of the War Power, and he desired earnestly to have the President lead the way openly and without reservation.
Proclaim the policy of Emancipation, and all hope of a reconstruction of the Union will be crushed out.
You indicate the proper course for the Government to take in this war with Slavery.
Now is our opportunity, and I pray God we may have the wisdom and the intrepidity to end the war humanely and economically by the speedy destruction of the enemy, Slavery.
Peace by Emancipation is accomplishing a good end by good means.
This is the issue before the people, and this issue we must meet.
Posterity will do you justice, even if the sneaking toadyism of the day refuse it to you.
How lamentable that we should make Human Slavery the one sacred thing under the heavens!
Everything else must give way,--every other property may be confiscated, every other right suspended,--but Slavery cannot be touched!
Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.
Politicians like Charles Sumner
