Under the influence of uncontrolled passion, and for the sake of Slavery, they went into rebellion; but now that passion has abated and Slavery has ceased, they see that nothing is gained by prolonging the animosities it engendered.
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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Men act according to their supposed interests,--this is a law of human nature; but every interest of former Rebels is for peace.
This imputation, so insulting to a great political organization, and to the distinguished members who have openly united in its adhesion, cannot be accepted without some ground of reason, or at least of presumption.
But why should the Democratic party be untrue to the covenants it has assumed?
Spurning the idea of dishonest conspiracy, I cannot doubt that they believe what they say, and that what they say is true.
Are these speakers and these newspapers united in conspiracy to deceive, or are they dupes?
The Democratic party have loyally and honorably conditioned to uphold the Cincinnati platform and all its obligations.
None of them have answered our query, whether they would have considered General Grant the Democratic candidate, if he had been nominated at Baltimore; and if not, why do they make the difference between him and Greeley?
All the Amendments are “to be obeyed and maintained in good faith, without evasion, denial, or diminution, in favor of all classes of the people”; and this is the covenant of the Democratic party, countersigned by their Representative.
The Democratic party, in the most authoritative and solemn manner, accepts this judgment.
We now stand in the Present, and look forward to the great Future.
We have this day substantially turned our backs upon the Past.
Accordingly the original Republican who had announced himself ready to “clasp hands” in peace was accepted on a Republican platform, declaring support of the three Constitutional amendments, and placing in the foreground the great truth…
The longing for peace, which in existing antagonisms of party was without effective expression, at last found free course.
The people were wiser than their leaders,--illustrating again the saying of the French statesman, so experienced in human affairs, that above the wisdom of any individual, however great, is the wisdom of all.
A popular uprising, stirred by irresistible instinct, triumphed over all resistance.
This is clear: in spite of politicians, and against their earnest efforts, the people represented in the Democratic Convention adopted a Republican nomination and platform.
And now, in the hope of its accomplishment, I forget personal consequences, and think only of the inestimable good.
There must be an end also to belligerent passions; and the freedman, assured in rights, must enter upon a new career of happiness and prosperity.
If there are any who ever maintained a policy of hate, I was never so minded; and now in protesting against any such policy, I only act in obedience to the irresistible promptings of my soul.
Our first duty is to provide safeguards for the future.
And here is the distinction never to be forgotten: Nothing for vengeance; everything for justice.
Here Reconciliation is associated with Reconstruction on the basis of the Equality of All Men.
In the same spirit, I deemed it my duty to oppose the efforts made in the winter of 1865 to authorize Retaliation, differing from valued friends.
There can be no exaction and no punishment beyond the necessity of the case,--nothing harsh, nothing excessive.
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