Charles Sumner

It would be easy to mention heads by Raphael yielding in value to only two or three of his larger masterpieces, like the Dresden Madonna.

Even the difficulties of “a defective model” did not prevent Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens, Velasquez, or Van Dyck from producing portraits precious in the history of Art.

But here, as in other things, genius exercises its accustomed sway without limitation.

Perhaps some other invalid, seeking occupation without burden, may find in them the solace that I did.

Thinking of those kindly portfolios, I make this record of gratitude, as to benefactors.

And yet, looking at an engraving, like looking at a book, may be the beginning of a new pleasure and a new study.

No person who has once held the office of President of the United States shall be thereafter eligible to that office.

I missed a recommendation in conformity with the best precedents of our history, and with the opinions of illustrious men, that the Constitution be amended so as to confine the President to one term.

Let them, while uniting against corruption, insist upon Equal Rights for All,--also the suppression of lawless violence, whether in the Ku-Klux-Klan outraging the South, or illicit undertakings outraging the Black Republic of Hayti.

Thieves and money-changers, whether Democrats or Republicans, must be driven out of our Temple.

In asserting your rights, you will not fail to insist upon justice to all, under which is necessarily included purity in the Government.

Equality in the common school is the preparation for equality at the ballot-box.

As all are equal at the ballot-box, so must all be equal at the common school.

It is vain to recite the great words of the Declaration of Independence, if you do not make them a living reality.

It is vain to teach equality, if you do not practise it.

Among cardinal objects is Education, which must be insisted on; here again must be equality, side by side with the alphabet.

It is easy to see that a small part of the means, the energy, and the determined will spent in the expedition to San Domingo, and in the prolonged war-dance about that island, with menace to the Black Republic of Hayti, would have secured…

Is it not better to establish all our own people in the enjoyment of equal rights before we seek to bring others within the sphere of our institutions, to be treated as Frederick Douglass was on his way to the President from San Domingo?

Nor has the Republican party done its work until this is accomplished.

Will not colored fellow-citizens see that those in power no longer postpone this essential safeguard?

The right to vote will have no security until your equal rights in the public conveyances, hotels, and common schools are at last established; but here you must insist for yourselves by speech, by petition, and by vote.

The discrimination is an insult, a hindrance, a bar, which not only destroys comfort and prevents equality, but weakens all other rights.

Equality is not found in any pretended equivalent, but only in equality; in other words, there must be no discrimination on account of color.

It is not enough to provide separate accommodations for colored citizens, even if in all respects as good as those of other persons.

Nor can there be any exclusion from either on account of color.