While professing to make war upon the Rebellion, he sustains its chief and most active power, and degrades his gallant army to be the constables of Slavery.
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.
gutenberg.org
How often must I repeat that Slavery is the constant Rebel and universal enemy?
It is traitor and belligerent together, and is always to be treated accordingly.
Tenderness to Slavery now is practical disloyalty and practical alliance with the enemy.
While I have the honor of a seat in the Senate, no success, no victory, shall be apology or shield for a general who insults human nature.
The picture is terrible; but it hardly exaggerates the fearful disorder.
From the midst of his triumphs I will drag him forward to receive the condemnation which such conduct deserves.
If Congress choose to authorize criminal proceedings against Rebels, as is done by this bill, then in good faith they must see that the proceedings are not entirely nugatory, through failure of evidence, under the operation of an…
But the Senator will not forget that there are other slaves besides those of the master under trial, as well as colored persons who are not slaves.
If disunion is allowed to begin, it cannot be stopped.
Whether slaves or not, even if freemen, the Senator knows well that there is one cruel rule of evidence everywhere in the Rebel States, which excludes the testimony of colored persons.
Never had Representative a truer or nobler constituency.
It was of Worcester, that large central county of Massachusetts, and broad girdle of the Commonwealth, which, since this great controversy began, has been always firm and solid for Freedom.
To represent a people so intelligent, honest, and virtuous was in itself no small honor.
But with this honor came those warnings which teach the futility of all honor on earth.
What is honor to one whom death has already marked for his own?
As life draws to its close, the consciousness of duty done, especially in softening the lot of others, must be more grateful than anything which the world alone can supply.
Even the spoiler, Death, cannot touch such a possession.
As a record of purpose and aspiration it will not be forgotten.
He had no indulgence for the Rebellion, and saw with clearness that it could be ended only by the removal of its single cause.
His experience at the South added to his appreciation of the true character of Slavery, and increased his determination.
He has taught by what sign we are to conquer.
Better than an army is such a principle; for it is the breath of God.
If disposed to follow the examples of England and France, and of our own States in their local Legislatures, we shall make a change.
Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.
Politicians like Charles Sumner
