Thus, besides precious blood beyond any calculation of arithmetic, the present generation has already contributed immensely to that result in which succeeding generations have a stake even greater than theirs.
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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But the case is strengthened, when it is considered that the war was for the life of the Republic, so that throughout all time, so long as the Republic endures, all who enjoy its transcendent citizenship will share the benefits.
What is a burden now will be scarcely a feather’s weight in the early decades of the next century, when a population counted by hundreds of millions will wield resources counted by thousands of millions.
The proper reduction of taxation involves two other things: first, the reduction of the present annual interest on the national debt, thus affording immense relief; and, secondly, the spread or extension of the national debt over…
Therefore do I say, as an essential stage in what we all desire, Down with the taxes!
The national credit being safe, relief from the pressure of existing taxation is the first practical object in our finances.
War taxes should not be peace taxes; and so long as the present system continues, there is a constant and painful memento of war, while business halts in chains and life bends under the load.
Willingly, gladly, patriotically, it submitted to this burden while the Republic was in peril; but now there is a yearning for relief.
Nobody can exaggerate the value of this determination, which is the corner-stone of Financial Reconstruction.
Happily, there is a universal prevailing sentiment for the national credit, showing itself in a fixed determination that it shall be maintained at all hazards.
The peace which we covet must enter into our finances; the reconciliation which we long for must embrace the disordered business of the country.
Political Reconstruction is not enough; there must be Financial Reconstruction also.
In making this attempt I am moved by the desire to do something for the business interests of the country, which suffer inconceivably from the derangement of the currency.
While embodying the original proposition of substituting bank-notes for greenbacks, it provides for the refunding and consolidation of the national debt in such a way as to make it easy to bear, while it brings the existing currency to a…
This cause I have at heart; this people I long to save; this great State of Virginia I long to secure as a true and loyal State in the National Union.
And now, Sir, as I stand before the Senate, trying by a last effort to prevent the sacrifice of Unionists, white and black, in Virginia, I feel that I am discharging only a simple duty.
I have failed often,--oh, how often!--when I wish I had prevailed.
I have no taste for controversy; much rather would I give the little of strength that now remains for me to the direct advocacy of those great principles to which my life in humble measure has been dedicated, not forgetting any of my other…
Then, Sir, farewell the equal rights of all! farewell an equal judiciary, which is the Palladium of just government! farewell trial by jury! farewell suffrage for all! farewell that system of public schools which is essential to the…
I said that the election in the whole State was carried by a conspiracy reaching from one end of the State to the other, of which the candidate for Governor was the head, to obtain the control of the State, and by this means take the…
The time will come when Rebels will be welcome to the full copartnership of government; but this can be only when all are secure in their rights.
But this object is defeated by any interpretation disallowing the test oath.
But the very object of the Reconstruction Act on which this question arises was to keep Rebels from the State government.
Senators find ambiguity in the terms “under any so-called State or municipal authority”; but I submit, Sir, that this is because they do not sufficiently regard the whole series of Reconstruction Acts and construe these words in their…
Looking at the text of the Reconstruction Acts, the conclusion of reason is confirmed by a positive requirement.
Politicians like Charles Sumner
