It is with regard to this territory that you are now called to exercise the grandest function of lawgiver, by establishing rules of polity which will determine its future character.
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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The question for your consideration is not exceeded in grandeur by any which has occurred in our national history since the Declaration of Independence.
Let not a word or a tone pass my lips to divert attention for a moment from the surpassing theme, by the side of which Senators and Presidents are but dwarfs.
In delivering my sentiments to-day I shall speak frankly, according to my convictions, without concealment or reserve.
Like a portentous cloud surcharged with irresistible storm and ruin, it seems to fill the whole heavens, making me painfully conscious how unequal to the occasion I am,--how unequal, also, is all that I can say to all that I feel.
The people have a right to be heard on this monstrous scheme; and there is no apology for that driving, galloping speed which shall anticipate their voice, and, in its consequences, must despoil them of this right.
It is a soulless, eyeless monster,--horrid, unshapely, vast: and this monster is now let loose upon the country.
Such a measure cannot be regarded without emotions too strong for speech; nor can it be justly described in common language.
That document was put forth in the discharge of a high public duty,--on the precipitate introduction into this body of a measure which, as seems to me, is not only subversive of an ancient landmark, but hostile to the peace, the harmony…
The North was aroused, and felt as never before towards those who spoke in its behalf.
Even assuming that the Fugitive Slave Bill was in any sense justifiable, there was nothing to justify this flagrant violation of plighted faith, where Slavery was the inexorable robber.
Permit me to say that no country excites a generous sympathy more than Ireland; nor is any society more genial and winning than that of Irishmen.
New occasions teach new duties; Time makes ancient good uncouth; They must upward still and onward who would keep abreast of Truth: Lo, before us gleam her camp-fires! we ourselves must Pilgrims be, Launch our Mayflower, and steer boldly…
Others may not hear it; but to me it comes in tones which I cannot mistake.
Better the despised Pilgrim, a fugitive for freedom, than the halting politician, forgetful of principle, "with a Senate at his heels.
All must confess the true grandeur of their example, while, in vindication of a cherished principle, they stood alone, against the madness of men, against the law of the land, against their king.
Conformity or compromise might, perhaps, have purchased for them a profitable peace, but not peace of mind; it might have secured place and power, but not repose; it might have opened present shelter, but not a home in history and in men's…
From gushing multitudinous hearts we now thank these lowly men that they dared to be true and brave.
No pusillanimous soul here to-day will declare their self-sacrifice, their deviation from received opinions, their unquenchable thirst for liberty, an error or illusion.
How poor are all these things by the side of that divine virtue which, amidst the reproach, the obloquy, and the hardness of the world, made them hold fast to Freedom and Truth!
And these outcasts, despised in their own day by the proud and great, are the men whom we have met in this goodly number to celebrate,--not for any victory of war,--not for any triumph of discovery, science, learning, or eloquence,--not…
Rarely have austere principles been expressed with more gentleness than from their lips.
Thus is prefigured the final triumph of all, however few in numbers, who sincerely devote themselves to Truth.
The Puritans primarily aimed at religious freedom: for this they contended in Parliament, under Elizabeth and James; for this they suffered: but, so connected are all these great and glorious interests, that the struggles for one have…
Reformers in all ages have had little of blessing from the world they sought to serve.
Politicians like Charles Sumner
