The question was settled by the great compromise of the Constitution, according to which representation in the House of Representatives was proportioned to population, while each State was entitled to an equal suffrage in the Senate.
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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I insist only that the victory achieved in the Constitution by the small States shall not be made the apology for a pretension inconsistent with Human Rights.
And now, for the sake of a great cause, the truth must be told.
It must not be disguised that this pretension has another origin, outside the Constitution.
The Equality of States on the lips of Slave-Masters was natural, for it was a plausible defence against the approaches of Freedom; but this unauthorized phrase, which has deceived so many, must be rejected now, so far at least as it is…
As one of the old garments of Slavery, it must be handed to the flames.
It is the twofold promise, first, that all are equal in rights, and, secondly, that just government stands only on the consent of the governed,--being the two great political commandments on which hang all laws and constitutions.
Under its kindly influence the past Rebellion will disappear, alike in its principles and its passions; future Rebellion will be impossible; and there will be a peace never to be disturbed.
All of these hated Slavery, and labored for its overthrow.
As the cause they upheld so bravely is exalted, so is their fame.
By the side of their far-sighted, far-reaching, and heroic efforts, how diminutive is all that was done by others at the time!
He taught her to cherish Education for the People, and he taught her respect for Human Rights.
His powerful word turned the scale, and a great cause was won.
Slavery was wrong, and he would not tolerate it.
Strong in his cause and in the consciousness of power, he did not shrink from encounter; and when it was joined, he used not only argument and history, but all those other weapons by which a bad cause is exposed to scorn and contempt.
Nobody said more in fewer words, or gave to language a sharper bite.
Speech was with him at times a cat-o’-nine-tails, and woe to the victim on whom the terrible lash descended!
Sarcasm, satire, and ridicule are not given in vain.
They are faculties to be employed prudently in support of truth and justice.
A good cause is helped, if its enemies are driven back; and it cannot be doubted that the supporters of wrong and the procrastinators shrank often before the weapons he wielded.
Soft words turn away wrath; but there is a time for strong words as for soft words.
Did not the Saviour seize the thongs with which to drive the money-changers from the Temple?
Our money-changers long ago planted themselves within our temple.
In harmony with this effort the expenditures of the Government should be revised and cut down to the lowest point consistent with efficiency.
Through these agencies our currency will be improved, and we shall be brought to specie payments, while the national credit will be established.
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