Charles Sumner

Here we learn that God is no respecter of persons,--that he is the Father of all,--and that we are all his children, and brethren to each other.

The equality of men will not be directly denied on this occasion; and yet it is so often assailed of late, that I shall not seem to occupy your time superfluously, I trust, while endeavoring to show what is understood by this term, when…

According to the Constitution of Massachusetts, all men, without distinction of race or color, are equal before the law.

In the course of this discussion I shall exhibit the true idea of our Common Schools, and the fallacy of the pretension that any exclusion or discrimination founded on race or color can be consistent with Equal Rights.

It will be my duty to show that this principle, after finding its way into our State Constitution, was recognized in legislation and judicial decisions.

Of Equality I shall speak, not only as a sentiment, but as a principle embodied in the Constitution of Massachusetts, and obligatory upon court and citizen.

But I cannot forget that the principles of morals and of natural justice lie at the foundation of all jurisprudence.

It is in your power to make it subside forever.

This little child asks at your hands her personal rights.

Can any discrimination on account of race or color be made among children entitled to the benefit of our Common Schools under the Constitution and Laws of Massachusetts?

Since this legislation, Equal Rights have prevailed in the Common Schools of Massachusetts, and nobody would go back to the earlier system.

It is a vindication of Equal Rights in Common Schools.

Would to God a like spirit might diffuse itself generally into the minds of the people of this country!

The benevolence of your heart, my dear Marquis, is so conspicuous upon all occasions, that I never wonder at any fresh proofs of it; but your late purchase of an estate in the Colony of Cayenne, with a view of emancipating the slaves on…

The means necessary to be taken to this effect can only be the work of a SOCIETY; and it is worthy the Saviour of America to put himself at their head, and to open the door of liberty to three hundred thousand unhappy beings of his own…

It is, then, for the interest of your countrymen to prepare the way to such a revolution, by endeavoring to reconcile the restitution of the rights of the blacks with the interest of the whites.

I replied, that the Virginians were in an error,--that, evidently, sooner or later, the negroes would obtain their liberty everywhere.

It is a task worthy of a soul so elevated, so pure, and so disinterested, to begin the revolution in Virginia, to prepare the way for the emancipation of the negroes.

We should join with Washington in his exclamation to Lafayette, on learning that this philanthropic Frenchman had purchased an estate in Cayenne, with the view of emancipating the slaves on it: "Would to God a like spirit might diffuse…

We at the North are responsible for Slavery everywhere within the jurisdiction of Congress, and it is here that we should exert ourselves, according to the principles of Washington, to abolish it by legislative action.

They who are responsible for Slavery should abolish it.

Thus acting, and thus constantly avowing his sentiments in favor of the abolition of Slavery, Washington is properly called an Abolitionist.

Join in proclaiming them through the new Party of Freedom.

We call upon good men of all sects and all parties to lend their support.

In questions merely political an honest man may stand neuter; but what true heart can be neuter, when the distinct question is put, which we now address to the people of Massachusetts, "Are you for Freedom, or are you for Slavery?