Charles Sumner

My watchword is, “The Unity of the Republic, and the Equal Rights of All, with Reconciliation.” Such is my heart-felt cry; and wherever my voice can reach, there do I insist upon all these, humbly invoking the blessings of Divine…

I am against the policy of hate; I am against fanning ancient flames into continued life; I am against raking the ashes of the Past for coals of fire yet burning.

In just association with this humanity will be the triumph of Equal Rights, when the promises of the great Declaration are all fulfilled, and our people are united, as never before, in the enduring fellowship of a common citizenship.

With deep-felt satisfaction I remember that no citizen who drew his sword against us has suffered by the hand of the executioner.

Let him cut adrift from managers who would wield him merely as a political force, with little regard to his own good, and bravely stand by the candidate who has stood by him.

Only then will there be that harmony which is essential to a true civilization.

Only then will that citizenship by which you are entitled to the equal rights of all have its natural fruits.

Much better will it be when the two political parties compete for your votes, each anxious for your support.

Above all, there must be no intimidation; but every voter must act freely, without constraint from league or lodge.

Provided always that their rights are fixed, I am sure it cannot be best for the colored people to band together in a hostile camp, provoking antagonism and keeping alive the separation of races.

Thus far, in constant efforts for the colored race, I have sincerely sought the good of all, which I was sure would be best obtained in fulfilling the promises of the Declaration of Independence, making all equal in rights.

It is in harmony with my life, which places Peace above all things except the Rights of Man.

I dare not neglect the great opportunity, nor can I stand aloof.

It is a Revolution, and its success in pacifying the country will be in proportion to its acceptance by us.

The Past is rejected, and a new Future is begun with the promise of concord.

In harmony with this interesting circumstance is the assurance in his letter of acceptance, that, if elected, he will be “the President, not of a party, but of the whole people.

That Democrats, and especially those of the South, should adopt a life-time Abolitionist for President is an assurance of willingness to associate the rights of their colored fellow-citizens with that Reconciliation of which Horace Greeley…

Such an unprecedented victory, without concert or propulsion of any kind, can be explained only by supposing that it is in harmony with a popular longing.

Early in public life I declared my little heed for party, and my indifference to the name by which I was called; and now I confess my want of sympathy with those who would cling to the form after its spirit has fled.

If any valued friend separates from me now, it will be because he places a man above principles.

By these principles I shall stand, for them I shall labor, and in their triumph I shall always rejoice.

But a better saying is, “Principles and Men.” I am for the principles of the Republican Party in contradiction to Grantism, and I am for the man who truly represents them.

There is a common saying, “Principles, not Men”; and on this ground an appeal is made for President Grant, it being justly felt that in any personal comparison with Horace Greeley he must fail.

The charge to the contrary, so vehemently repeated, seems to reflect the character of those who make it,--except that many repeat it by rote.

My own personal experience teaches how futile is the charge, that, because Horace Greeley receives Democratic votes, therefore he becomes a Democrat, or lapses under Democratic control.