Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 05 (of 20)Sumner, Charles
History
Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 05 (of 20)
Sumner, Charles
Slavery -- United States; Speeches, addresses, etc., American
Then was conceived the consummation of the Crime against Kansas. What
could not be accomplished peaceably was to be accomplished forcibly.
The reptile monster, that could not be quietly and securely hatched
there, is to be pushed full-grown into the Territory. All efforts are
now applied to the dismal work of forcing Slavery upon Free Soil.
In flagrant derogation of the very Popular Sovereignty whose name
helped to impose this bill upon the country, the atrocious object is
distinctly avowed. And the avowal is followed by the act. Slavery is
forcibly introduced into Kansas, and placed under formal safeguard of
pretended law. How this is done belongs to the argument.
In depicting this consummation, the simplest outline, without one word
of color, will be best. Whether regarded in mass or detail, in origin
or result, it is all blackness, illumined by nothing from itself, but
only by the heroism of the undaunted men and women whom it environed. A
plain statement of facts is a picture of direst truth, which faithful
History will preserve in its darkest gallery. In the foreground all
will recognize a familiar character, in himself connecting link between
President and border ruffian,--less conspicuous for ability than for
the exalted place he has occupied,--who once sat in the seat where you
now sit, Sir,--where once sat John Adams and Thomas Jefferson,--also,
where once sat Aaron Burr. I need not add the name of David R.
Atchison.[70] You do not forget, that, at the session of Congress
immediately succeeding the Nebraska Bill, he came tardily to his duty
here, and then, after a short time, disappeared. The secret was long
since disclosed. Like Catiline, he stalked into this Chamber, reeking
with conspiracy,--_immo etiam in Senatum venit_,--and then, like
Catiline, he skulked away,--_abiit, excessit, evasit, erupit_,--to join
and provoke the conspirators, who at a distance awaited their congenial
chief. Under the influence of his malign presence the Crime ripened
to its fatal fruits, while the similitude with Catiline is again
renewed in the sympathy, not even concealed, which he finds in the very
Senate itself, where, beyond even the Roman example, a Senator has not
hesitated to appear as his open compurgator.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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