Charles Sumner

And thus are we brought back to the conclusion, so often announced, that unity of origin must not be set aside simply because existing varieties of Man cannot be sufficiently explained by known laws, operating during that brief period…

Because unnatural according to observation during the brief period of historic time, it does not follow that they are not strictly according to law.

Science is our Sphinx, and its enigma is Man and his varieties on earth: to which I answer, “Time.

Egypt is not alone in its Sphinx, perplexing mortals with perpetual enigma.

Considering the infinitudes of astronomy, and those other infinitudes of geology, it is not unreasonable to claim an antiquity for Primeval Man compared with which all the years of authentic history are a span.

The ancient Sanscrit, sometimes called the most elaborate of human dialects, has yielded its secret to philological research, and now stands forth the mother tongue of the European nations.

There are varieties of skull, as of color; but the question remains, to what extent they attest original diversity.

Thus does the Human Skull refuse any definitive answer.

But the naturalist records that there are forms of transition, as nations approach to civilization or relapse into barbarism.

Blumenbach was an able and honest inquirer; and if his nomenclature is defective, it is only another illustration of the adage, that nothing is at the same time invented and perfected.

It is obvious to the most superficial observer that there are divisions or varieties in the Human Family, commonly called Races; but the most careful explorations of Science leave the number uncertain.

Its vastness is increased, when we consider that it embraces properly not only the origin, distribution, and capacity of Man, but his destiny on earth,--stretching into the infinite past, stretching also into the infinite future, and thus…

Perhaps no other theme is grander; for it is the very beginning of human history, in which all nations and men have a common interest.

Nature and History are our authorities, but all science and all knowledge are tributary.

The first is in that sublime chapter of Genesis, where, amidst the wonders of Creation, it is said: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.

Two passages of Scripture, one in the Old Testament and the other in the New, both governing this question, attest the Unity of the Human Family.

In stating this assumption of superiority, which I do not exaggerate, I open a question of surpassing interest, whether in science, government, or religion.

When I consider how for a long time the African was shut out from testifying in court, even when seeking redress for the grossest outrage, and how at this time in some places the Chinese is also shut out from testifying in court, each…

Here the caste claiming hereditary rank and privilege is white, the caste doomed to hereditary degradation and disability is black or yellow; and it is gravely asserted that this difference of color marks difference of race, which in…

The system in its mildest form can have nothing but evil; for it is a constant violation of primal truth, and a constant obstruction to that progress which is the appointed destiny of man.

So long as these continue, the natural harmonies of society are disturbed and man is degraded.

But I am obliged to add that no modification leaving “distinctions” transmissible with the blood can be adequate.

It is now admitted, that, under constraint of necessity, the member of a superior caste may descend to the pursuits of an inferior caste.

Milk, and even water, is defiled by his passing shadow, and cannot be used until purified.

No person of the regular castes holds communication with the Pariah.