If colored people have the legal right to enter these cars, why does the Senator argue that they ought not to have that right?

To my mind it is clear, because any other conclusion authorizes a corporation to establish a caste offensive to religion and humanity, injurious to a whole race now dwelling among us, and bringing shame upon our country.

But we cannot afford, at this crisis of our history, to sanction injustice.

Every such act rises in judgment against us, and hangs on the movements of our armies, checking even the currents of victory.

I know very well that they may, in the last resort, be obliged to go to the courts; but I know that it will be more difficult for the Company to exclude them in the face of a positive statute than when their rights are simply founded on…

The remedy is simple, and I cannot doubt that it will be effective.

It is this: the rights of colored persons must be placed under the protection of positive statute, warning their oppressors against continued outrage.

And provided, further, That there shall be no exclusion of any person from any car on account of color.

For myself, I held it resolutely and sincerely.

I always regarded the Wilmot Proviso, if the Constitution were properly interpreted, as mere surplusage, sheer supererogation; and yet I never hesitated, in season or out of season, to vindicate it; and I believe the Senator never…

I remember that my earliest admiration of that Senator was founded on his brave and able support of that very prohibition.

No, Sir; openly and courageously he maintained the principle that Slavery must be prohibited.

He knows as well as I that colored persons are daily insulted.

Does he not know well that everything introduced into the Fugitive Slave Bill was in the interest of Slavery, and contrary to every sentiment of humanity, and that it was intended to give offence?

It is to sustain the principles of humanity, to uphold human rights, to vindicate human equality, and with no purpose of offence,--none, not the least.

As, in the days which preceded our Revolution, the British officers said they would cram the stamps down the throats of the American people, so, in the same malignant spirit, the Slave-Masters insisted upon cramming Slavery down the…

Slavery in all its features is bad, but one of its most odious manifestations was the revolting insensibility to every sentiment of delicacy and humanity which it created in its supporters.

I would never give offence to any one, here or elsewhere, if I knew how to avoid it, while in all things I faithfully discharge my public duty.

Suppose we pass this amendment and put it into the law, and the Company goes on and does exactly as it has been doing, excluding these men, what are these colored men going to do?

That the provision prohibiting any exclusion from any car on account of color, already applicable to the Metropolitan Railroad, is hereby extended to every other railroad in the District of Columbia.

The bill as amended passed the House and was approved by the President, so that it became illegal for any railroad in the District of Columbia to exclude any person from any car on account of color.

Sumner addressed a letter to the President of the road, calling attention to the contumacy of the Company, and announcing his purpose, if it continued, to move, at the next session of Congress, the forfeiture of the charter.

Sumner reported from the Committee on Slavery and Freedmen a bill to repeal all acts for the rendition of fugitive slaves.

These Acts may be viewed as part of the system of Slavery, and therefore obnoxious to the judgment which Civilization is accumulating against this Barbarism; or they may be viewed as independent agencies.

Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.