Charles Sumner |
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action adjourned adopted amendment annexation anti-slavery argument attack bill Boston campaign Charles Francis Adams Charles Sumner citizens civil claims committee compromise Congress Constitution contest convention Court debate December December 9 declared defeated Democrats discussion doubt Douglas duty election emancipation England equal rights Faneuil Hall favor feeling felt foreign Free-Soilers freedmen freedom friends Fugitive Slave Law governor Grant House influence insisted John Bright Kansas leaders legislature letters Lincoln March Massachusetts ment Mexico Missouri Compromise negroes never nomination North opinion opponents passed peace political position present President President's proposition race or color rebel recognized reconstruction relations reply reported Republican party resolution San Domingo saying Schurz seceded secession secure Senate sent session Seward slave power slaveholders slavery South Carolina Southern speech spoke suffrage Sumner opposed Sumner took territory tion treaty Union United urged vote Whig Whig party whole Winthrop wrote
Popular passages
Page 200 - States, but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution and all laws made in pursuance thereof and to preserve the Union, with all the dignity, equality, and rights of the several States unimpaired; that as soon as these objects are accomplished the war ought to cease.
Page 131 - ... it being the true intent and meaning of this act not to legislate slavery into any territory or state, nor to exclude it therefrom, but to leave the people thereof perfectly free to form and regulate their domestic institutions in their own way, subject only to the constitution of the United States...
Page 204 - The Union must be preserved, and hence all indispensable means must be employed. We should not be in haste to determine that radical and extreme measures, which may reach the loyal as well as the disloyal, are indispensable.
Page 139 - The Senator from South Carolina has read many books of chivalry, and believes himself a chivalrous knight, with sentiments of honor and courage. Of course he has chosen a mistress to whom he has made his vows, and who, though ugly to others, is always lovely to him; though polluted in the sight of the world, is chaste in his sight—I mean the harlot. Slavery.
Page 292 - This is a world of compensations; and he who would be no slave, must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it.
Page 95 - Again let me speak frankly. Not rashly would I set myself against any requirement of law. This grave responsibility I would not lightly assume. But here the path of duty is clear. By the Supreme Law, which commands me to do no injustice, by the comprehensive Christian Law of Brotherhood, by the Constitution, which I have sworn to support, I AM BOUND TO DISOBEY THIS ACT. Never, in any capacity, can I render voluntary aid in its execution. Pains and penalties I will endure, but this great wrong, I...
Page 193 - I am for no compromise which assists or permits the extension of the institution on soil owned by the nation. And any trick by which the nation is to acquire territory and then allow some local authority to spread slavery, is as obnoxious as any other.
Page 321 - We have witnessed in one department of the Government every endeavor to prevent the restoration of peace, harmony, and union. We have seen hanging upon the verge of the Government, as it were, a body called, or which assumes to be, the Congress of the United States, while in fact it is a Congress of only a part of the States.
Page 34 - Can there be in our age any peace that is not honorable, any war that is not dishonorable ? The true honor of a nation is conspicuous only in deeds of justice and beneficence, securing and advancing human happiness. In the clear eye of that Christian judgment which must yet prevail, vain are the victories of War, infamous its spoils. He is the benefactor, and worthy of honor, who carries...